By 2030, 6G technology, also known as IMT-2030, is expected to become the primary mobile technology, offering enhanced user experiences compared to previous generations of networks, according to the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) and Khalifa University’s whitepaper.
Building on the foundations of the successful commercial launch of 5G technology, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) continues to cement itself as a pioneer country in integrating the upcoming generation of networks.
The increasing demand for higher data rates, lower latency, and enhanced connectivity has prompted the UAE to conduct strategic efforts in smart city initiatives and the research and development (R&D) of 6G technology, propelling industries into a more advanced and highly civilized world, capable of making almost anything a reality.
R&D investments emphasize the UAE’s aim: to become a hub for cutting-edge research in the region and be at the forefront of 6G’s transformational journey.
Related: 35 Cities and Regions Unite to Launch a New Era of 5G-A Connectivity
Next-Generation Technology
6G technology is set to revolutionize the technological landscape and support the fourth industrial revolution by connecting humans, machines, and the environment, paving the way for a decrease in the country’s future reliance on oil.
The upcoming generation of networks promises to revolutionize the digital landscape by offering high-speed data rates, significant energy efficiency, and a plethora of groundbreaking applications including immersive communication.
According to Huawei, 6G will utilize a terahertz-wave band, enabling ultra-fast data transmission which is expected to reach 100 times faster than 5G. Artificial intelligence (AI) will also be integrated across all protocols and layers, enabling autonomous operation between various devices and networks.
Furthermore, the new era of wireless networks will elevate the digital era to unprecedented heights by elevating traditional metrics including capacity and throughput, reliability and latency, and scale and flexibility. Innovations in embedded devices, computing fabric, cognitive networks, enhanced network connectivity, and coverage capabilities will also be delivered.
Compared to 5G technology, 6G’s sustainability is expected to decrease power reduction by up to 50%. Increased security and privacy will undoubtedly be part of the network’s priorities. IMT-2030 will also aid in bridging the digital gap, addressing areas in accessibility and affordability.
With capabilities extending beyond high-speed communications, the world has high expectations of 6G technology. This upcoming generational technology will bring critical advancements in architecture design and coverage. Machine learning (ML) and AI will also significantly benefit from its advent, advancing the development of autonomous systems and smart cities.
Also Read: TDRA Aims to Pioneer 6G Services Before 2030 in UAE
The Transition from 5G to 6G and its Applications
Building on existing technologies, groundbreaking breakthroughs including interactive real-time 4D maps, smart contact lenses and haptics, and telepresence experiences are also expected to emerge as a result of 6G.
AR/VR:
A higher level of intelligence will be introduced, transforming communication by enabling real-time holographic interactions, immersive augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) experiences, and seamless massive connectivity for internet of things (IoT) devices.
For instance, VR training is revolutionizing pediatric care and nursing, enhancing the skills of healthcare professionals through immersive simulations. Research using VR technology is uncovering early signs of Alzheimer's risk, showcasing its potential in medical diagnostics.
Zain KSA and Nokia are collaborating to develop 5G Cloud RAN solutions, crucial for supporting applications like autonomous vehicles and augmented reality. This partnership is a step towards the advanced infrastructure needed for 6G. Additionally, Ooredoo is exploring 5G-Advanced mmWave technology to transform stadium connectivity, offering fans immersive AR experiences and ultra-high-definition live broadcasts.
Immersive Experiences:
This huge leap from 5G’s high-quality video and 5G-A’s fully immersive user experience will blend the digital and physical realms, diminishing the digital-physical divide and transforming lives in ways only imagined before. The data speeds provided by 6G technology will permit holographic communication.
This network evolution will transform teleconferencing, remote working, immersive online gaming, and online shopping, enabling high-resolution live streams and 360-degree video. These will be established by real-time compression and coding, and the reconstruction and visualization schemes brought about by 6G’s extremely low latency.
Cloudbrink is advancing high-performance enterprise networking through pSASE, ensuring remote workers have robust connectivity. Nokia has entered the 5G-Advanced era with the world's first immersive voice and audio call, a significant step towards 6G capabilities.
Commenting on the company’s global contribution to digital transformation and its recent launch of Data MENA, Abou Mustafa, Head of LE, Government and Key Accounts Segment at du, told Telecom Review that, “We [du] have AAAs for global cloud service providers—Amazon Web Services, Azure Microsoft as well as Alibaba, Oracle Cloud, SAP cloud, Netflix, META, and Akamai for CDN and online gaming— all of them use Data MENA to serve the entire region and globally.”
Virtual World:
Furthermore, 6G’s ability to blend the digital and physical worlds will support the metaverse—a fully immersive and virtual world where people can live and interact in 3D, which requires vast amounts of data exchanged between the digital twin.
du, in collaboration with Dubai’s RTA, has presented a digital twin as a gateway to the metaverse. This initiative aims to create a virtual replica of the city, enhancing urban planning and citizen engagement through immersive experiences.
Moreover, Ooredoo made history by powering the first-ever 5G-enabled FIFA World Cup™, delivering high-speed connectivity and immersive fan experiences. This event showcased the potential of 5G technology in supporting virtual worlds and augmented reality applications, offering fans unprecedented interactive experiences.
XR/ Edge Computing:
According to Nokia, 6G will also equip networks with the ability to sense by determining the characteristics and movements of things around them. This internet of senses (IoS) will be made possible by integrating human senses such as visual, auditory, tactile, gustatory, and olfactory into the internet of things (IoT), providing immersive physical-like experiences inside the digital world.
Edge computing and intelligence will also be enabled, along with extended reality (XR) which is expected to have a fully immersive 16K resolution, requiring data processing mitigated through cloud-based technologies.
At MWC 2024, John Gao, President of the 5.5G Domain, mentioned that, “XR [extended reality] services can increase Average Revenue Per User [ARPU] for carriers.”
Read More: 6G Leading the Global Market: Forging New Opportunities
UAE’s 6G Roadmap
The UAE’s targeted launch of 6G by 2030 solidifies its position as one of the leaders in global technological progress. It aims to be at the forefront of research and development (R&D) of 6G, advancing its initiatives to be one of the first countries to adopt the upcoming network technology.
Its transition from 5G to 6G exemplifies its commitment to improving business operations and quality of life, advancing the evolution of industries and smart cities.
To support the advancements in R&D, 6G Centers of Excellence have been established across the UAE, pioneered by du and AWS, facilitating experimentation, testing, and innovation. The significance of building 6G labs for testing in the real world proves its commitment to technological innovation, as highlighted by the TDRA, which will play a pivotal role in regulatory frameworks.
The Path to 6G program was also launched, highlighting the Emirates’ plans to advance telecommunications and technology and fill the gaps in the current network.
Furthermore, UAE telecom operator, du, has established a partnership with Huawei for 5.5G and 6G innovations, with plans to launch an International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Focus Group on AI and 6G.
Etisalat by e& is also set to explore 6G-enabling technologies such as Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) for higher frequency bands.
Furthermore, the government launched the Dubai Metaverse strategy to foster innovation and establish international partnerships for R&D and the metaverse ecosystem. This initiative will focus on technologies including XR/AR/VR/mixed reality (MR) services, digital twin, real-time data analysis, AI/ML and IoT, and blockchain.
Also Read: UAE Enters 5G Advanced Era, Achieving 10Gbps Speed
Final Thoughts
The UAE’s unwavering commitment to the research and development of 6G cements its position as a global leader in technological innovation. While the research phase is still underway, the arrival of 6G is highly anticipated, igniting excitement in its commercial deployment.
As we transition from 4G to 5G and soon to 6G, technology brings us closer, at an unprecedented speed, to a more advanced and civilized society. This emphasizes technology’s limitless power to transfigure evolution and drive global transformation.
6G promises to introduce new possibilities and deliver a myriad of breakthroughs, transmuting fiction into reality and enabling technologies that are currently beyond reach.
The UAE’s proactive and determined approach to welcoming 6G with open arms highlights the country’s long-term vision, driven by imagination, and dedication to embrace change through technology. Its pioneering initiatives will underscore the new revolution of communication and interaction of an intelligent ecosystem.
Continue Reading:
ITU Advances IMT-2030 Development for 6G
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