du, the UAE-based telecommunications and digital services provider, has deployed what it describes as the world’s first six-carrier aggregation configuration on a commercial 5G-Advanced network. The deployment, carried out with Nokia, combines six 5G New Radio (NR) component carriers across Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) and Time Division Duplex (TDD) spectrum, delivering a total aggregated bandwidth of 420 MHz.
The capability was validated on the latest generation of commercial devices, with compatible handsets displaying the 5G+ icon when connected to the enhanced network configuration.
Carrier aggregation enables compatible devices to combine multiple spectrum channels simultaneously, effectively creating a wider data connection. By bringing six carriers together across its available spectrum, du can increase network capacity and throughput while supporting more consistent performance as mobile data consumption continues to rise.
The additional capacity is designed to support data-intensive applications, including emerging AI-powered features and next-generation mobile services. The milestone was achieved on du’s commercial 5G-Advanced Standalone network under real-world field conditions. The deployment uses spectrum across the 3.6 GHz, 2.6 GHz, 2.1 GHz, 1.8 GHz and 600 MHz bands, with Nokia supporting the deployment through its commercial Habrok massive MIMO radios.
Six-carrier aggregation is part of the evolution of 5G-Advanced, also referred to as 5G+, which builds on existing 5G networks with improvements in capacity, performance and efficiency. The technology is also expected to contribute to the network foundations required for future 6G systems.
For customers, the deployment is intended to improve network capacity and connectivity while supporting increasingly demanding mobile applications and services. Compatible devices can take advantage of the aggregated spectrum when the 5G+ indicator is displayed.
The deployment also contributes to the UAE’s national 6G roadmap led by the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA). du said its continued development of commercial 5G+ capabilities will help build the network infrastructure needed for the country’s longer-term transition towards 6G.
Saleem AlBlooshi, Chief Technology Officer at du, said, “Bringing six CC 5G carriers together on our commercial network is an important milestone in how we are building the next generation of connectivity in the UAE. This achievement demonstrates how we can make greater use of our spectrum to create more capacity and deliver stronger network performance as customer needs evolve. It also represents an important step in advancing our 5G+ network while building the foundations for the journey towards 6G, in line with the UAE’s ambitions for next-generation connectivity. Validating this capability on the latest generation of devices which demonstrates how advances in devices and networks can come together to unlock the full potential of 5G+ for customers.”
Danial Mausoof, Vice President MI Segment, MEA at Nokia, said, “Carrier Aggregation is crucial to getting the best possible 5G advanced performance out of scattered spectrum assets. This milestone demonstrates Nokia’s leadership in 5G Carrier Aggregation and our ability to deliver commercial-grade performance that meets the demands of next-generation applications. We are proud to stand alongside du as a trusted innovation partner, turning the UAE’s national 6G ambitions from roadmap into reality, one world first at a time.”
The deployment forms part of du’s continued investment in advanced network technologies and the development of the UAE’s telecommunications infrastructure. The company said the six-carrier aggregation capability provides a platform for further 5G-Advanced innovation as the industry moves towards 6G and subsequent generations of mobile connectivity.
