Page 119 - SAMENA Trends - January-February 2025

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

United Arab Emirates

The UAE is seeing 600 MHz international mobile connectivity to deeper spaces within residential and commercial
telecommunications (IMT) development enter a new chapter as its areas. Featuring a huge coverage area, the band will also enable
Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority operators to expand 5G coverage to rural and connectivity-
(TDRA) officially announced, on November 29, 2024, that 600 scarce areas, further reducing the digital divide.
MHz would be assigned to IMT systems. This represents a major • Quicker 5G standalone (SA) evolution: The use of 600 MHz for
milestone in the country’s mobile communications development 5G IMT will be essential to ensure consistent SA experiences
following the identification of this band for use in mobile and expand native 5G capabilities from subscribers to a huge
communications systems at the 2023 World Radiocommunication population of vertical users, with a focus on promoting reduced
Conference (WRC-23). In addition to providing extra spectrum capability (RedCap) for the innovative Internet of Things (IoT),
for operators, the use of 600 MHz will enable the UAE to further Internet of Vehicles (IoV), and industrial Internet applications.
consolidate its leading position in the adoption of mobile • Stronger mobile AI enablement: Leading networks are the
communications technology. As a significant chunk of below 1 prerequisite for leading services. 600 MHz, with its extensive
GHz spectrum, which is key to ensuring IMT system coverage, coverage reaching hundreds of square miles, provides a solid
600 MHz boasts wide coverage due to its excellent propagation and ubiquitous foundation for diverse Mobile AI applications.
characteristics, making it an ideal choice for further expanding 5G This ensures the availability of AI phones, AI assistants, AI
connectivity while also improving stability and experience. These wearables, intelligent driving, and embodied robots anytime,
characteristics of 600 MHz make it important to the IMT industry, anywhere, thereby fostering the innovation and expansion of
which has reached a broad consensus on the need to seek new more Mobile AI services.
low-band spectrum to fill up the deficit in low-band and medium- The 600 MHz spectrum’s superior penetration and wide coverage
band spectrum as mobile communications continue to develop are set to enhance indoor connectivity and reliably connect millions
rapidly. of devices, fostering innovation and technological advancement.
600 MHz Is an Accelerator for Service Improvement and the Digital This frequency band is crucial for deploying advanced 5G services
Economy such as IoT and smart cities, thereby improving user experience,
600 MHz will emerge as a core 5G low band that will benefit 5G competitiveness, and digital infrastructure across the UAE.
networks in the following ways: (January 2, 2025) www.mobileworldlive.com
• Broader 5G reachability: Thanks to its strong obstacle-
penetration capabilities, 600 MHz can effectively extend mobile

119 JAN-FEB 2025