Abu Dhabi — In a landmark achievement, e& UAE and New York University (NYU) Abu Dhabi have successfully completed the first 6G Terahertz (THz) pilot in the Middle East, reaching an unprecedented 145 gigabits per second (Gbps) throughput. The milestone marks a major leap in the UAE’s mission to lead the region in intelligent, immersive, and sustainable connectivity.
The 6G pilot showcases the transformative potential of next-generation networks, capable of delivering ultra-high-capacity, ultra-low-latency communication that will enable advanced applications such as holographic telepresence, extended reality (XR), terabit-class backhaul, and digital twins.
Building the Future of Intelligent Networks
Masood M. Sharif Mahmood, CEO of e& UAE, described 6G as far more than just faster connectivity.
“6G means faster-than-instant responses, near-fail-proof uptime, massive bandwidth, and networks that combine connectivity with sensing, local compute, and quantum-resistant security,” he said.
He emphasized that 6G represents “an architecture where the network itself becomes intelligent, perceptive, and sovereign by design,” supporting national-scale digital resilience. Unlike previous generations focused on speed, 6G integrates satellites, high-altitude platforms, and terrestrial systems into a “network of networks,” ensuring uninterrupted service across deserts, sea routes, and airspace.
Sensing, Security, and Smart Compute
Mahmood explained that 6G will transform network functionality on three levels:
- Integrated Sensing: Radios will double as radar, enabling centimeter-level positioning and environment awareness, critical for robotics, autonomous vehicles, and smart city infrastructure.
- Post-Quantum Security: Networks will adopt quantum-resistant encryption, protecting national and industrial data flows far into the future.
- Embedded Compute: The boundary between cloud and edge will disappear, with processing workloads dynamically following data for deterministic, high-performance outcomes.
“These are resilience features — the ability for networks to stay responsive under any condition,” Mahmood added.
Academia–Industry Collaboration for 6G Leadership
Marwan Bin Shaker, Acting Chief Technology and Information Officer at e& UAE, noted that the collaboration with NYU Abu Dhabi reflects the importance of research partnerships in shaping the next era of connectivity.
“Our successful pilot demonstrates how academia–industry collaboration can accelerate 6G innovation, bringing futuristic technologies closer to reality,” he said.
The UAE’s successful 6G trial not only places it at the forefront of global telecom innovation but also supports its vision of digital sovereignty and smart infrastructure leadership across the Middle East.
