By: Mahmoud Gamal

Dubai – Mubasher: Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Co (DU) is looking to launch the fifth generation (5G) mobile networks prior to the end of this year, according to an email sent by the company to Mubasher.

The Dubai-based telecommunication firm had succeeded in launching the first 5G website last year as part of its plans to initiate the 5G technology in the GCC country.

In June 2017, DU had tested massive MIMO technology, one of the 5G core components, hitting records with a productivity rate of 700 megabytes by using only one data transfer at the frequency of 20 megahertz.

The telecom operator is seeking to bolster the UAE 2021 Vision and Smart Dubai Vision, along with being the strategic partner of Smart Dubai Office.

The company, listed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM), is working on rolling out the Internet of Things (IoT) after succeeding in testing it for the first time in the Middle East in 2016.

The 5G technology is expected to attract over $6.5 billion investments in the UAE’s information technology and telecommunication companies by 2026.

Du’s efforts to launch the 5G in the country are line with the vision of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) and the standards of 5G non-standalone (NSA).

In the same vein, du revealed two days ago that it is ready to launch the 5G services directed to individuals within the few coming months, in line with the availability of mobile phones that support such services.

Virtual reality and augmented reality will be two main features in the age of 5G.

Networks maintenance

Du’s spending on the maintenance of its networks increased by 4.3% year-on-year for the first nine months of 2018 to AED 553.2 million, compared to AED 530.5 million.

Additionally, the company’s net profit rose by 9.2% for the nine-month period to AED 1.41 billion, versus AED 1.29 billion in the corresponding period of 2017.

Translated by: Mai Ezz El-Din