The UAE telecom operator du has published its first du 6G whitepaper to outline the future of artificial intelligence-driven telecommunications. Developed by du Infra in collaboration with the Digital Future Institute at Khalifa University, the document presents a framework for autonomous network infrastructure, according to Telecom Review. The publication explores how operators can transition into intelligence infrastructure providers.
Launch of the du 6G whitepaper
This newly released du 6G whitepaper, titled “The Intelligence Network: A 6G Blueprint for Telcos,” addresses upcoming industry challenges. Specifically, mobile data traffic is projected by GSMA to triple by 2030, while revenue growth remains modest. Consequently, the document highlights 6G networks as a necessary evolution of 5G and 5G-Advanced technologies.
Field Trial Results in Abu Dhabi
To support this transition, the operator conducted upper 6 GHz field trials on live macro infrastructure in Mohamed Bin Zayed City, Abu Dhabi. These trials validated upper-mid-band spectrum performance at scale. Notably, the tests achieved outdoor coverage of up to 500 meters and peak downlink speeds approaching 1.5 Gbps using existing site infrastructure.
“Our upper 6 GHz field results show that this future is not theoretical. It is being built today, on our existing network, and positions du to lead the region’s transition toward AI-native, autonomous telecom infrastructure.”
Fahad Al Hassawi, CEO of du
Technical Capabilities and Architecture
The transition to next-generation networks relies on several core technical capabilities. These include intent-based orchestration, network digital twins, and telecom world models. Furthermore, the Radio Access Network (RAN) will shift from a traditional transmission layer into an energy-efficient, sensing-enabled platform.
By integrating these technologies, operators can build software-defined platforms capable of sensing, predicting, and acting in real time. This shift is expected to support the growing demands of the digital economy. Additionally, the integration of artificial intelligence remains central to this architectural evolution.
Commercial Opportunities and Future Outlook
Beyond technical specifications, the du 6G whitepaper details how operators can monetize these new networks. By transforming network intelligence into structured services, companies can establish new revenue streams. Specifically, these streams include AI-powered operations, enterprise digital twins, autonomous agents, and outcome-based service guarantees.
The operator’s roadmap builds on its existing 5G-Advanced foundation and its commitments under the TM Forum Autonomous Networks Manifesto. Through academic partnerships, the company aims to accelerate the practical deployment of these systems. This collaborative approach helps establish a sustainable path toward full network autonomy in the telecommunications sector.
