DUBAI – November 6, 2025: du, one of the UAE’s leading telecom and digital services providers, has achieved a groundbreaking 6.3 Gbps peak downlink speed and 495 Mbps uplink speed on its live 5G network — setting a new global benchmark for next-generation mobile connectivity. The milestone was reached through an industry-first implementation of four Time Division Duplex (TDD) carriers aggregated across 400 MHz spectrum in the 3.5 GHz and 2.6 GHz bands for downlink, and two TDD carriers for uplink.
The breakthrough, achieved in collaboration with Nokia and MediaTek, represents a major advancement in 5G+ capabilities, enabling du to deliver ultra-high-speed connectivity for premium home wireless and enterprise customers across the UAE.
“This milestone reinforces du’s position as a technology leader in the region,” said Saleem AlBlooshi, Chief Technology Officer at du. “By implementing this industry-first carrier aggregation technology, we’re not just setting new speed records — we’re future-proofing our network for the AI-driven applications and digital experiences of tomorrow.”
Pioneering Collaboration and Technology
The record speeds were achieved using Nokia’s commercial AirScale Levante and Ponente basebands, Habrok dual-band massive MIMO radios powered by its ReefShark chipset, and MediaTek’s advanced 5G Release-18 M90 modem platform. The trial showcased how collaborative innovation can drive real-world performance improvements and optimize spectrum use.
HC Hwang, General Manager of Wireless Communication System and Partnership at MediaTek, highlighted the achievement:
“Completing the 4TDD (400MHz) Carrier Aggregation trial with du and Nokia marks a new frontier for 5G performance. It demonstrates the potential of our M90 platform in unlocking unparalleled download speeds and superior connectivity.”
Mohamed Samir, VP and Head of Middle East Mobile Networks at Nokia, added:
“This collaboration with du and MediaTek underscores Nokia’s commitment to delivering best-in-class 5G performance. By combining multiple carriers, we’ve achieved a technological leap that will redefine user experiences and enterprise connectivity.”
Driving the UAE’s Digital Future
The achievement arrives as demand for AI-driven applications, ultra-HD streaming, and real-time analytics accelerates globally. du’s new carrier aggregation capabilities will enable seamless ultra-HD streaming, instantaneous file transfers, and lag-free cloud experiences for consumers, while empowering enterprises with robust, high-throughput connectivity for AI workloads, real-time data processing, and mission-critical operations.
The milestone reinforces the UAE’s position as a global leader in ultra-high-speed 5G infrastructure, aligning with the nation’s vision for a digitally advanced, innovation-driven economy.
