UAE telecom operator du has partnered with Huawei to deploy the world’s first 25Gbps E-band microwave link as part of its 5G-Advanced (5G-A) network rollout, following a successful field implementation in Dubai. The milestone marks the beginning of a three-year strategic partnership focused on joint innovation rather than a traditional vendor procurement model.
The collaboration supports du’s ambition to scale its 5G-A infrastructure to meet rapidly rising data traffic demands across the UAE. As 5G-A introduces significantly higher capacity requirements, du has faced limitations in areas where fiber deployment is constrained. The newly deployed 25Gbps E-band solution directly addresses these challenges by delivering fiber-equivalent capacity through wireless backhaul.
The solution is powered by Huawei’s latest microwave technologies, including the industry’s only 2T2R E-band device capable of delivering up to 25Gbps in a single module with 26 dBm output power. It is paired with a two-dimensional Intelligent Beam Tracking (IBT) antenna that compensates for pole sway and structural movement, ensuring stable signal reception and high link reliability in real-world conditions.
Designed to support peak 5G-A site capacity and future expansion, the platform includes multiple 25GE interfaces and aligns with the UAE’s long-term 6G vision toward 2030. With performance comparable to optical fiber, the E-band solution offers faster deployment, improved cost efficiency, and greater flexibility across dense urban, suburban, and rural environments.
The first 25Gbps E-band link was deployed in Al Warqa, Dubai, demonstrating the technology’s readiness for commercial-grade 5G-Advanced networks and reinforcing the role of advanced microwave backhaul in next-generation mobile infrastructure.
du’s leadership highlighted the deployment as a breakthrough in overcoming fiber limitations while accelerating nationwide 5G-A coverage. Huawei emphasized large-capacity E-band microwave as a key innovation path for enabling high-bandwidth, simplified, and rapidly deployable transport solutions for future mobile networks.
