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UAE Freezones Biz News Updates
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UAE aims to improve global competitiveness with 5G
Mobile operators to start deploying 5G networks from early 2018
The launch of 5G early next year is in line with the UAE’s strategy on the
fourth industrial revolution, and the implementation of artificial
intelligence and smart cities, according to the UAE’s Telecommunications
Regulatory Authority (TRA).
Having 5G will also allow the UAE to improve its global competitiveness, the
telecoms regulatory body said on Sunday.
The announcement for the 5G early 2018 launch comes a day after the
authority officially announced the implementation of IMT-2020, also known as
5G.
Hamad Obaid Al Mansouri, director general of the TRA, said the launch will
make the UAE among the first countries applying 5G technology in
telecommunications.
“Rapid global developments and the transition of humanity to the era of the
fourth industrial revolution have enhanced the status of this sector, making
it the main nerve of major digital transformations, and the incubator of
evolution on all tracks including science, economy, education, or other
vital fields,” he said in a statement.
Mobile operators in the country are expected to start deploying 5G networks
from early 2018.
In a statement on Sunday, TRA said that licensees from mobile operators in
the country will start deploying the technology in several phases, allowing
for the development of information and communications technology
infrastructure. 5G refers to the fifth generation of broadband cellular
network technology.
In a separate statement, telecom operator etisalat confirmed it is launching
the first 5G ultra-mobile broadband experience in the region. A
pre-commercial 5G network has been deployed in certain locations within the
UAE, it added.
Internet of Things
Meanwhile, etisalat said it has already tested out 5G services using an
advanced 5G drone that is equipped with a 360-degree camera with 4K
streaming. This achieved up to 5Gbps in downlink with low latency and
massive Internet of Things connections.
In its statement, etisalat said it will continue the development and
deployment of 5G network, with targets to offer that to consumers and
businesses with “extremely high speeds [and] low latency.”
“In addition to the 5G and smart city strategies, we will continue our
digital transformation journey by further developing new capabilities
including artificial intelligence, cloud computing, network virtualisation
and automation, and internet of things,” said Saleh Al Abdooli, group chief
executive officer of etisalat.
The telecom provider added that it will deploy 5G services in major UAE
cities during 2018 in preparation for major upcoming events including the
World Government Summit, AFC Asian Cup, and the Expo 2020.
Similarly, du announced its readiness and compliance, saying that it is
working with partners to operate field trials in select areas in Abu Dhabi
and Dubai starting from the first quarter of 2018.
Osman Sultan, chief executive officer of Emirates Integrated
Telecommunications Company (du), said that 5G will be a “key enabler of
futuristic technologies,” such as machine-to-machine communications,
internet of things, and smart cities.
As part of its plans to roll out 5G, TRA formed three committees to
establish a framework in the UAE and test the new networks. The Authority
said that 5G-enabled services will form a key element to enhance services
provided in sectors such as smart learning and education, smart health
devices, energy, and other sectors.
TRA said it will also consider 40 gigahertz ranges for 5G beyond the year
2020.
December 24, 2017 |
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Courtesy Al Nisr Publishing LLC
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