ZTE and du Achieve the World's First Commercial End-to-End Upper 6 GHz Connectivity on UAE Live Network

ZTE (0763.HK, 000063.SZ) Corporation (0763.HK / 000063.SZ), a global leading provider of integrated information and communication technology solutions, and du, the leading telecom and digital services provider, have achieved a significant milestone in their technology collaboration with the successful installation and activation of ZTE's Upper 6 GHz (U6GHz) radio equipment on du's live 5G-Advanced (5G+) network in the United Arab Emirates, marking the world's first commercial end-to-end U6GHz connectivity to customers using commercially available Customer Premises Equipment (CPE).

The deployment demonstrates the potential of ZTE's GigaMIMO technology and U6GHz spectrum to deliver enhanced coverage and higher capacity under real-world network conditions. The testing featured ZTE's GigaMIMO technology, incorporating an Advanced Antenna Unit (AAU) to enhance coverage performance while leveraging the wide 350 MHz across the 6775–7125 MHz bandwidth to deliver significantly greater network capacity. The solution addresses the key challenge of balancing coverage and capacity, supporting higher data rates, improved user experience, and the growing demands of future mobile services.

The deployment aligns with the UAE's national vision for 6G and the Telecommunications and the efforts of Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) to advance next-generation connectivity, reinforcing the country's commitment to innovation and leadership in future wireless technologies.

Saleem AlBlooshi, Chief Technology Officer at du, commented: "Bringing U6GHz into live commercial service marks a significant step forward in the UAE's connectivity journey, creating new opportunities for consumers and the wider digital ecosystem. du's collaboration with ZTE demonstrates our commitment to translating technological advances into long-term customer benefits, while strengthening the UAE's position at the forefront of global connectivity."

Hu Kun, President of the Middle East Region at ZTE, stated: "The successful deployment and activation of our Upper 6 GHz equipment on du's network represents an important achievement in our strategic collaboration. It demonstrates our joint commitment to translating technological innovation into practical network implementation. We look forward to working closely with du on the next phases of technical validation and exploring the potential of this technology for future network evolution."

This achievement further strengthens the collaboration between du and ZTE, reinforcing their shared commitment to technology innovation, network evolution, and supporting the UAE's ambition to remain at the forefront of advanced digital infrastructure.

Both companies will continue their collaboration to further advance the commercial capabilities of U6GHz 5G-Advanced technology, supporting the UAE's ambitions in next-generation connectivity and 6G leadership.