etisalat UAE, Khalifa University of Science and Technology and New York University Abu Dhabi (NYU Abu Dhabi) have announced a first-of-its-kind, peer-reviewed engineering framework to help telecommunications operators design and dimension future 6G networks using centimetre-wave (cmWave) spectrum.
The research marks a step towards the anticipated introduction of 6G around 2030, moving beyond conceptual network architectures to provide practical engineering methodologies for real-world deployment. It also highlights the UAE’s growing contribution to the development of next-generation connectivity technologies.
Dr Bayan Sharif, Provost of Khalifa University, said, “This research demonstrates how collaboration between academia and industry can accelerate the translation of advanced research into technologies with real-world impact. Through its work on 6G networks, Khalifa University is connecting scientific expertise with real-world challenges to advance the knowledge and technologies that will shape the future of connectivity, strengthen national capabilities, and reinforce the UAE’s role in shaping the next generation of global communications.”
Marwan Bin Shakar, Chief Technology Officer at etisalat UAE, said, “This work takes our 6G vision from concept towards practical network design, demonstrating how we can intelligently evolve existing infrastructure to build the networks of the future. 6G leadership will be shaped by engineering that turns innovation into viable, sustainable and economically efficient networks. Together with Khalifa University and NYU Abu Dhabi, we are developing a practical blueprint for the next generation of networks, demonstrating how intelligent infrastructure evolution can unlock greater capacity and create a more sustainable path to 6G. This reflects our ambition to help shape the next generation of technology and contribute to the networks that will transform how people and businesses connect, communicate and engage with the world.”
Fabio Piano, Vice Chancellor of NYU Abu Dhabi, added: “Our dynamic partnership with etisalat and Khalifa University is intensifying the impact of NYU Abu Dhabi’s research strength in wireless communications. NYU Abu Dhabi Wireless Center and our partners in the UAE have demonstrated how emerging technologies can support the development of future networks. It exemplifies the high value that can be achieved when universities and the private sector work together to drive scientific expertise towards breakthrough innovation.”
From 6G Concepts to Practical Network Design
The joint research has been published in the IEEE Open Journal of the Communications Society. It provides operators with methodologies for coverage planning, capacity dimensioning, link-budget design, Extremely Large Aperture Arrays (ELAA), Multi-User Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MU-MIMO), interference management and outdoor-to-indoor performance.
The framework is designed to support emerging U6GHz spectrum deployments as well as higher upper-mid-band and cmWave frequencies. It offers an adaptable engineering foundation as global spectrum allocations and 6G standards continue to develop. The research examines how advanced antenna architectures and spatial multiplexing can address the propagation challenges associated with cmWave spectrum while increasing network capacity.
In particular, ELAA technology and MU-MIMO techniques can help operators improve spectral efficiency and accommodate more simultaneous connections. The study indicates that these approaches could enable operators to evolve existing macro-cell networks towards 6G without relying solely on extensive network densification.
Demonstrating Capacity Gains on Existing Infrastructure
Rather than focusing primarily on peak data rates in technology demonstrations, the research addresses a practical question for telecommunications operators: how can commercial 6G networks be designed to deliver the required coverage and capacity efficiently?
The study reports that deploying advanced ELAA antenna architectures at 7GHz cmWave can achieve coverage parity with existing 5G network grids while delivering a threefold increase in capacity. This approach could provide operators with a more capital-efficient migration path to 6G by building on existing network infrastructure and introducing advanced technologies where they offer the greatest benefit.
The framework translates emerging cmWave capabilities into engineering guidelines for network coverage, capacity and deployment. It is also designed to evolve alongside developments in U6GHz and upper-mid-band spectrum and future 6G standardisation.
Through their collaboration, etisalat UAE, Khalifa University and NYU Abu Dhabi aim to help bridge the gap between 6G research and commercial network planning, contributing to the engineering foundations needed for the next generation of wireless communications.
