du launches 5G-A services over L-Band on its commercial network
du, a telecommunications and digital services company, announced the launch of 5G-Advanced services over the 1.4 GHz L-Band through its commercial network in the UAE, and according to du, the launch was the first of its kind globally on a commercial network.
du said the launch reinforces its work in next-generation network technologies and spectrum strategy. The company said integrating L-Band into its 5G-Advanced network improves spectrum efficiency, increases total network capacity, and provides customers with a more stable and reliable connectivity experience.
According to du, the 1.4 GHz L-Band provides a balance between wide-area coverage and network capacity. The company said the band’s technical characteristics improve indoor signal reach and stability across a wider geographic area, helping reduce coverage gaps in urban areas, residential areas, and inside buildings.
du said the commercial deployment also improves uplink performance, which directly affects user experience. The company said the commercial results underline the role of L-Band as a supporting layer in its multi-band 5G-Advanced strategy, helping improve network resilience, load distribution across spectrum layers, and operational efficiency, especially during peak periods and periods of high data demand.
Saleem AlBlooshi, Chief Technology Officer at du, said the company remains committed to setting new standards for network quality and service excellence. AlBlooshi said the launch reflects the technical expertise of du’s teams and the company’s commitment to maximizing the use of spectrum resources to deliver more advanced and reliable connectivity experiences for customers.
The launch forms part of du’s broader strategy to develop advanced radio communications technologies and spectrum-related innovation. The company said the strategy supports future digital use cases including enhanced mobile broadband, fixed wireless access, massive IoT, and AI-supported digital services.
du said its 5G-Advanced platform serves as a foundation for future capabilities, including ultra-reliable low-latency communications and massive machine-type communications. The company said these capabilities support the development of smarter cities, more connected industrial sectors, and an integrated digital society in line with the UAE’s digital transformation vision.
