The Dubai-based operator will showcase the potential and benefits of fifth-generation (5G) cellular technology to customers at its Dubai and Abu Dhabi stores. Starting May 8, residents will be able to enjoy the speed and latency of 4G ahead of its commercial launch in the United Arab Emirates. Osman Sultan, CEO of Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC), the parent company, recently told TechRadar Middle East that his network was ready for 5G and that it was happening much sooner than expected. 5G should offer speeds 100 times faster than 4G and reach 10 Gbps. Also, where 4G provides latency of 15 to 20 milliseconds, 5G will be one millisecond. < p class="bordeaux-image-check">
Sultan believes that at first, speed will be the key differentiator for 5G, which will be more focused on the outer shell than the inner shell. The latency part will come at a later stage. "During this quarter, we will have significant 5G coverage in Dubai," he said. With the new 5G radio access technology (5G NR), the initial phase will offer unprecedented high data rates. After this, the technology will evolve to provide all the remaining capabilities. The telecom operator plans to install more than 700 5G-equipped stations by the end of 2019. To do this, the operator expects a 60% increase in capital expenditure (CapEx) this year, to AED 1.600 billion, compared to AED 1.000 billion last year. The company has already invested AED 181 million in the first three months of this year to accelerate preparations for the 5G launch and foster digital transformation. Sukhdev Singh, chief executive of research and consulting services provider Kantar, said he plans to introduce 5G in the United Arab Emirates. Service providers are expected to consider new business growth opportunities that could be driven more by business solutions, at least to start with. However, he added, Singh said 5G smartphones and 5G home routers should be available in the second half of this year, but at relatively higher prices. The operator has partnered with Nokia, Affirmed Networks and MediaTek to launch next-generation narrowband IoT services critical to the successful adoption of 5G technology. "We are creating a new revenue stream by forming partnerships as this will enable the devices to deliver a multitude of smart city applications such as smart meters, smart parking, tracking, smart health, industrial uses and more." Agricultural," said the sultan.