Ericsson and du enhance fixed wireless access services in the UAE

• Ericsson and du trial 5G millimeter wave (mmWave) extended range to enhance Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) services in the United Arab Emirates.
• Powered by Ericsson’s AIR 5343, the successful 5G mmWave PoC will support in delivering greater capacity, faster rollout and extended coverage for residential areas.

Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) and du have successfully completed a proof of concept (PoC) deploying 5G Standalone (SA) using millimeter wave (mmWave) extended range technology in residential areas across the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The trial leveraged Ericsson's latest mmWave radio, AIR 5343, alongside advanced software features to achieve multi-gigabit speeds across coverage areas, extended capacity for high-demand applications, boosted coverage in residential neighborhoods, and faster rollout of Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) services. It will enhance the user experience and enable more households to access du's high-performance FWA services across residential areas throughout the UAE.

Fahad Al Hassawi, CEO of du says: "du continues to bring the latest and most innovative connectivity solutions to our customers. Leveraging mmWave extended range with Ericsson, we are enhancing our Fixed Wireless Access services and reinforcing the UAE's position as a 5G leader. This proof of concept helps us explore how advanced 5G technologies can improve service delivery, create new customer offerings, and strengthen our role in shaping the UAE's digital infrastructure."

The project marks the first implementation of mmWave extended range technology in the UAE, representing a milestone in the countries' 5G evolution. The successful PoC builds upon the long-standing partnership between Ericsson and du, with Ericsson serving as a key technology partner in du's Radio Access Network infrastructure.

Petra Schirren, President of Ericsson Gulf says: "This PoC with du represents a significant advancement for 5G Standalone deployment in the UAE. Together, we are demonstrating how mmWave extended range technology can transform Fixed Wireless Access while showcasing the benefits of enhanced spectrum utilization for both operators and end users. This reflects our ongoing commitment to exploring practical deployments that address real market demand."

The trial utilized macro deployment architecture to deliver high-capacity, high-performance FWA services, demonstrating the viability of mmWave technology for residential broadband applications in the UAE market. The collaboration supports the UAE's Vision 2031 by accelerating digital transformation and establishing the foundation for next-generation connectivity services across the nation.