Ericsson, and e& UAE announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, for the collaborative exploration of 6G technology, its use cases and future network evolution. The MoU will serve as an early engagement for defining the next generation of future mobile network evolution and will include a series of technical discussions and engagements aimed at jointly exploring key 6G technology concepts.
Khalid Murshed, Chief Technology and Information Officer, e& UAE, said, “e& UAE has pioneered new technologies since 1976 powering people and societies. This collaboration is a testament to our dedication for driving the digital future and pushing the boundaries of a more connected and technologically advanced future. We are thrilled to partner with Ericsson on exploring 6G and its future network evolution.”
Ekow Nelson, Vice President and Head of Global Customer Unit for e& at Ericsson Middle East and Africa, says: “We have barely scratched the surface with 5G which will overtake 4G and become the dominant mobile technology after 2027 and, with 5G Standalone and 5G Advanced, realise its transformative potential over the next several years.”
“At the same time, we have started the proactive approach to 6G research with our partners to shape the next generation of mobile networks. Collaborating closely with e& UAE, we aim to leverage our shared expertise to drive progress in the development of 6G for the United Arab Emirates, and the wider region.”
6G is expected to offer a step-change in the future of communication by merging the digital and physical worlds into a seamless reality enabled by trustworthy systems, cognitive networks, and a pervasive network compute fabric. It will contribute to the creation of ever-present intelligent communications, for a more sustainable and efficient world.
e& UAE expands 5G network with Ericsson dual-band radios to boost network performance and reduce emissions
Ericsson and e& UAE have successfully completed one of the world’s first deployments of Ericsson’s dual-band Massive MIMO radio, AIR 3229, on e& UAE’s network.
The successful deployment of the AIR 3229 radio in e& UAE’s 5G network is part of a long-standing and growing partnership between Ericsson and e& UAE, which spans multiple domains, including the Radio Access Network, RAN.
This milestone marks a key step in e& UAE’s ongoing 5G network expansion, aiming to boost network performance, increase network capacity, and reduce carbon footprint. The implementation aligns with e& UAE’s strategy to deliver more energy-efficient and sustainable 5G services to meet growing consumer demands.
In a one-step expansion approach, Ericsson’s AIR 3229 dual-band radio enables e& UAE to deliver 5G services simultaneously on both the 2600MHz and 3500MHz spectrum layers using a single unit. This makes it possible to double the number of time division duplex, TDD carrier components from two to four in high-capacity 5G sites.
This innovative solution enhances network performance while addressing challenges related to site acquisition, installation complexity, and tower load management.
Compared to traditional deployments that use two separate radio units, Ericsson’s solution reduces power consumption by 20% and minimizes the tower load by 25%, significantly advancing energy efficiency and operational sustainability.
Part of the Ericsson Radio System portfolio, Ericsson’s AIR 3229 is powered by the latest generation of Ericsson Silicon, reinforcing the company’s commitment to supporting service providers in achieving seamless, cost-effective 5G expansions.
Marwan Bin Shakar, Senior Vice President, Access Network Development from e& UAE, says: “At e& UAE, we are always looking to adopt solutions that contribute to the evolution of our network while maintaining our sustainability objectives. The introduction of Ericsson’s dual-band Massive MIMO radio supports our efforts to deliver world-class connectivity and enhanced 5G experiences while optimising energy efficiency and reducing our environmental impact.”
Ekow Nelson, Vice President and Head of Global Customer Unit for e& at Ericsson Middle East and Africa, says: “We are thrilled to support e& UAE in their journey to enhance 5G services with the deployment of our latest dual-band Massive MIMO solution. The implementation of our latest dual-band Massive MIMO solution underscores our dedication to delivering innovative, energy-efficient solutions that push the boundaries of 5G technology. By integrating advanced technologies into its 5G network, e& UAE is better positioned to meet the growing demand for high-performance, reliable connectivity across the UAE.”