e& UAE, formerly known as Etisalat, has laid out an ambitious and comprehensive vision for 6G in a recently released whitepaper titled Shaping the Future: e& UAE’s 6G Vision. This publication not only reflects the company’s aspirations to lead in next-generation connectivity but also aligns 6G development with national digital transformation goals. For e& UAE, 6G is not just about speed or capacity, but about establishing the foundational nervous system of a cognitive, secure and sovereign digital nation.
Having already demonstrated technical leadership through record-breaking 5G-Advanced speeds, e& UAE now sees 6G as a revolutionary leap beyond what current networks can deliver. At the heart of this evolution is the transition from connectivity to cognition. 6G is expected to deliver intelligent, adaptive, and sustainable networks that can support real-time decision-making, autonomous systems and immersive digital experiences at scale.
The whitepaper identifies several key enablers of 6G. These include deeply embedded AI across all layers of the network, integrated sensing capabilities that allow the network to “perceive” its environment, quantum-grade security solutions to withstand future cyber threats, and the integration of non-terrestrial networks for true global coverage. All of this is underpinned by a focus on energy efficiency and sustainability.
AI-native networks are central to this vision. Rather than treating AI as an add-on, 6G will incorporate machine learning into its very architecture, supporting predictive network management, real-time adaptation and ultra-personalised services. Networks will learn, optimise and evolve autonomously. At the same time, they will serve as platforms for running AI workloads at the edge, enabling intelligent applications in sectors like healthcare, manufacturing and urban mobility.
Sensing and communication are also converging. The concept of Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) means that base stations and devices will not just connect but also sense their surroundings, transforming the network into a kind of distributed radar system. This opens up applications from high-precision positioning and gesture detection to infrastructure monitoring and environmental sensing—useful in everything from smart cities to public safety.
In parallel, the whitepaper places a strong emphasis on building a secure-by-design network architecture. Quantum-safe encryption, distributed ledgers and federated learning are part of a multi-layered approach to ensure that future 6G systems remain trustworthy, private and resilient, even in the face of powerful quantum computing attacks.
e& UAE is also planning for the inclusion of sub-THz spectrum and new mid-band frequencies, particularly in the 7-15 GHz range, to meet the extreme data demands of 6G. The deployment of high-frequency bands will be complemented by an integrated multi-band strategy and global spectrum harmonisation efforts.
The company’s vision extends beyond terrestrial infrastructure. Non-terrestrial networks—satellites, drones and high-altitude platforms—are seen as essential for providing seamless, borderless coverage. e& UAE has already begun exploring direct-to-device satellite services in partnership with Yahsat and is actively contributing to international standardisation through ITU and 3GPP.
On the use case front, the whitepaper outlines transformative applications across multiple sectors. Immersive communications and holographic presence will reshape collaboration, education and entertainment. Autonomous mobility, underpinned by ultra-reliable low-latency links, will enable self-driving cars and coordinated drone fleets. Healthcare stands to benefit from haptic telemedicine and real-time remote surgery, while digital twins and automation will redefine manufacturing and logistics. Smart cities powered by 6G will become data-driven, self-optimising environments.
In the business domain, e& UAE envisions new models around Network-as-a-Service and AI-enabled analytics platforms. Enterprises could deploy custom network slices with edge computing capabilities, while telcos may evolve into experience providers, offering immersive services that blur the line between physical and virtual experiences.
This strategic approach is backed by partnerships with academic and industry players. Collaborations with NYU Abu Dhabi and Ericsson underline e& UAE’s intent to lead in 6G R&D and to shape future standards and ecosystems. The operator sees itself not only as a service provider but as a key enabler of digital transformation for industry, government and society.
As 6G research intensifies globally, e& UAE’s whitepaper reflects a clear ambition to be more than a participant. It aims to position the UAE at the forefront of the 6G era, with early trials, standardisation efforts and ecosystem development paving the way for commercial deployment towards the end of the decade. In doing so, it aligns national innovation agendas with the technological shifts that 6G will bring.
The whitepaper paints a future where networks are not just infrastructure but intelligent, adaptive systems that will underpin the digital societies of tomorrow. With strategic foresight and early investment, e& UAE is making a strong case for leadership in this transformation.
Marwan Bin Shakar, Acting CTIO at e& UAE, was the keynote speaker at FutureNet MENA 2025. In the build-up to the event, he shared further insight into e& UAE’s 6G vision, which you can read here.
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