Etisalat's mobile network first in the region to begin upgrades to 700 Mbps 4G LTE Tri-Band carrier aggregation technology

Dubai, 12 October 2014

A live testing on the network has successfully concluded, making way for ultra-speeds of 700Mbps mobile broadband connectivity and ensuring network readiness once handsets are commercially available.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 12 October 2014: Etisalat, the leading telecom operator in UAE, announced today that it has tested and started a phased upgrade of it its network to the futuristic 4G Advanced (LTE-A) tri-band technology based on carrier aggregation technology, for the first time in the region.


- First call made on three different spectrum bands

- New technology will enable Etisalat customers to enjoy ultra-high mobile broadband speeds


A live testing on the network has successfully concluded, making way for ultra-speeds of 700Mbps mobile broadband connectivity and ensuring network readiness once handsets are commercially available.

LTE carrier aggregation is the next step in the evolution of high-speed mobile broadband services, enabling operators to make the most of their existing spectrum assets by combining multiple spectrum bands to enable higher mobile broadband download speeds.

We achieved this feat, thanks to the full-fledged support of the UAE's Telecommunications and Regulatory Affairs (TRA).

Saeed Al Zarouni, Senior Vice President, Business Planning and Technology Evolution, Etisalat said, "The UAE is racing towards futuristic cities based on massive connectivity and high bandwidth communications, and Etisalat is playing its part in achieving the country's smart city vision to provide the latest services to our customers in the country."

As an integrated technology enabler, Etisalat has adopted a holistic approach towards building a smart infrastructure that can boost communication and services between people, businesses and government. The telecom operator has established the region's most solid, future-ready 3G and 4G LTE networks to meet the growing needs of the UAE's highly connected environment and to boost customer experience.

"In coming months, our LTE 4G Network will cover 88 percent of the UAE's populated area and provides the country's fastest mobile internet at speeds of up to 150 Mbps. A few months ago, we successfully conducted a live testing for potential speeds of up to 300 Mbps on our 4G LTE network. We are extremely thrilled today to be the first in the region to trial our 4G LTE-A network for future speeds of up to 700 Mbps. It is most definitely Etisalat's move forward to rolling out the region's first fifth-generation (5G) network," added Al Zarouni.

Advanced technologies, adopted by Etisalat, have set a benchmark for other companies to follow by increasing mobile broadband speeds and enhancing customer experience. The capacity, higher data speeds and efficiencies provided by LTE Advanced carrier aggregation technology will help manage growth in data traffic as more customers choose Etisalat's network.

Al Zarouni concluded, "While our 4G network is well prepared to respond to the growing demand for mobile data, to ensure that we are able to accommodate new opportunities and strengthen our services, we will continue to build capacity and expand through investments in our networks and resources. It is an essential part of our strategy to maintain our leading position in the region and to keep providing differentiated services to our customers in the UAE."

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