UAE BARQ برق الإمارات – نبضك
Eng. Majed Sultan Al Mesmar, Director-General of the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), affirmed taht the future of telecommunications will be shaped not by entities that wait for technological developments, but by those that prepare for them, invest in them and contribute to defining their direction. He noted that the UAE is pursuing this approach as part of its digital journey through an integrated vision for the future of telecommunications and digital infrastructure.
In his keynote address to the 6G MENA 2026 – In the AI Era – in Abu Dhabi, he highlighted that the UAE does not view sixth-generation (6G) technology as a standalone technology, but rather as part of a broader transformation aimed at developing smart, flexible and secure digital infrastructure capable of supporting the economy, society and government.
He added that the UAE is entering this new phase from an advanced position, having been the first country to launch 5G networks in 2018. He explained that these networks now cover more than 99.5% of populated areas, supported by over 23,000 5G base stations and more than 10 million subscribers.
He noted that the country has already moved beyond the commercial deployment phase of 5G networks, conducting advanced trials over five years in the upper frequency range of the 6 GHz band. These trials achieved speeds of up to 10 gigabits per second, demonstrating the potential of advanced communications to support the next generation of smart cities, autonomous mobility, healthcare and other critical applications.
He stated that the true potential of 6G extends beyond providing faster connectivity to developing more advanced, intelligent, secure and flexible communications that are better equipped to meet the needs of individuals and economies.
He also noted that the UAE has taken proactive steps to prepare for this future through a forward-looking 6G roadmap.
He emphasised that the objective is not merely to adopt future technologies, but also to contribute to their development and help shape their direction. He explained that building 6G networks will be a global endeavour requiring active participation from different regions, including the Middle East and North Africa, to ensure they have a meaningful role in shaping the technologies, frequencies, standards and use cases associated with these networks.
Organised by the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) in Abu Dhabi on 19 and 20 October, the first dedicated 6G conference in the Middle East and North Africa will bring together over 40 leading figures from regulatory authorities, the technology sector, and academic and research institutions from around the world.
The conference comes at a pivotal stage in the evolution of the telecommunications sector, as preparations for 6G accelerate and artificial intelligence plays an increasingly significant role in the design, operation, and management of future networks. It also reflects ongoing international efforts to develop the standards and technical specifications for the next generation of telecommunications.
