The country is aiming to roll out 6G services before 2030, as regulators and industry leaders meet in Abu Dhabi to plan the next step.
The UAE is laying the groundwork for 6G, the next generation of mobile networks, with a roadmap that aims to bring the technology into wide use in the country before 2030.
The plans were in focus this week in Abu Dhabi at 6G MENA 2026 – In the AI Era, held on October 19 and 20. Organized by the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), it is the first conference in the Middle East and North Africa dedicated to 6G.
The event brought together regulators, telecom operators, technology companies, universities and research institutions from around the world to discuss how 6G networks will be built and governed.
Eng. Majed Sultan Al Mesmar, Director General of TDRA, said the future of telecommunications will be shaped by countries that anticipate technological change, invest in innovation and help define its direction. He pointed to the UAE’s record in digital connectivity, noting that it was the first country to launch 5G networks in 2018, Economy Middle East reported.
What the UAE’s 6G Roadmap Includes
TDRA first unveiled the UAE’s 6G roadmap in April 2024. Under the plan, a committee led by Khalifa University, with telecom operators, equipment makers and TDRA as members, carries out research and helps develop technical standards for 6G.
The roadmap also includes trials involving industry, academia and government, with TDRA providing radio frequencies and regulatory support through its ICT Regulatory Sandbox. Research findings are shared through the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the UN agency that sets global standards for mobile networks.
In the meantime, existing 5G networks are being upgraded to an advanced version known as 5.5G, or 5G-Advanced, as a step between the two generations.
6G is expected to bring faster speeds and much lower delays than 5G, along with built-in artificial intelligence and the ability to connect far more devices at once. TDRA has said these capabilities could support uses such as remote surgery and diagnosis, robotics and self-driving transport. The roadmap also aims to support sustainability goals, help close the digital divide and strengthen privacy and security.
At the roadmap’s launch, Eng. Mohammed Al Ramsi, TDRA’s Deputy Director General for the Telecommunications Sector, described it as “a turning point in the evolution of the telecommunications sector.”
6G MENA 2026 Conference Puts Focus on AI and Spectrum
Sessions at this week’s conference covered networks designed around artificial intelligence, the future use of radio spectrum for 6G, and the integration of land-based and satellite networks, including direct-to-device connections that let phones link to satellites.
Other topics included the development of global standards, the security of next-generation networks, and regional coordination on spectrum and regulation. Delegates also discussed preparations for the World Radiocommunication Conference in 2027, where countries will negotiate how radio frequencies are allocated globally.
“The UAE’s success in 5G has provided a strong foundation for preparing for 6G,” Al Mesmar said. “Building on our leadership in 5G, we are moving towards early preparedness for 6G.”
He said the country’s ambition goes beyond adopting the technology to helping shape its future, through cooperation between regulators, operators, universities and technology partners.
The conference also featured keynote addresses, panel discussions, an innovation and demonstrations showcase, and research presentations. Speakers included Talal Belhoul, Chairman of the Board of TDRA, and Al Ramsi.
Globally, standards bodies are working on 6G under the ITU’s IMT-2030 framework, with commercial 6G networks widely expected to begin appearing around 2030.
