The UAE has become the first country from the Middle East to pilot 6G Terahertz (THz). Carried out with New York University (NYU) Abu Dhabi, the research achieved a record 145 Gbps throughput speed, showcasing the potential of the next-generation cellular technology in the near future.
The test highlighted the possible use cases of THz frequencies for 6G. Expected to be rolled out around 2030, 6G will deliver ultra-high-speed data, low latency, and unlock more powerful AI, extended reality (XR), holographic telepresence, virtual reality, etc. The successful research of 6G places the UAE at the leading position in the telecom industry.
Nokia says 6G will come out by 2030. South Korea, India, and other countries largely agree that it will be the reality.
UAE 6G test receives praise
Marwan Bin Shaker, Acting Chief Technology and Information Officer, e& UAE, said: “Achieving the 145 Gbps milestone is a breakthrough moment for the industry and for the UAE. This achievement demonstrates our ability to pioneer at the edge of technology, exploring the transformative potential of 6G to reimagine how people, businesses, and cities connect. Our collaboration with NYU Abu Dhabi underscores the critical role of academia–industry partnerships in shaping the future of connectivity.”
Sehamuddin Galadari, Managing Director of the Research Institute, NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), shared similar sentiments. He said, “This pilot is a major milestone for the region, demonstrating how joint collaboration can unlock new frontiers in wireless technology. By combining academic excellence with real-world operator expertise, the UAE is positioning itself as a co-creator of the 6G era.”
Speaking of speed again, Japanese firms DOCOMO, NTT, NEC, and Fujitsu tested the first 6G device achieving 100 Gbps speed.
UAE’s 6G test validates THz use for 6G
Likewise, Prof. Murat Uysal, Founding Director of the Research Institute NYUAD Wireless Center, added: “This pilot provides critical validation of THz bands, considered a key enabler of 6G. Their unique propagation characteristics, hardware constraints, and processing demand require fundamentally new system architectures beyond today’s solutions. Through this collaboration, we are building local expertise and testbed infrastructure to tackle these challenges and contribute to global 6G standardisation.”
The trial is the result of an ongoing cooperation MoU signed between e& UAE and NYU Abu Dhabi. Together, they seek to build on 6G research, 6G testbed development, sharing insight, etc.
See: 5G vs Fiber: Find Out Which Is Better?
The successful 6G pilot reflects the UAE’s desire and ambition to lead telecom’s next-gen race with 6G and contribute to its standardization.
