UAE telco e& launches 5G network slicing for businesses

UAE‘s e& is rolling out significant 5G and edge AI infrastructure enhancements to address the increasing demand for specialized enterprise connectivity solutions. The telecom provider’s introduction of commercial 5G network slicing marks a strategic advancement in how businesses can secure dedicated network resources for mission-critical applications, while partnerships with Qualcomm and Ericsson strengthen the company’s technological capabilities in AI and radio network infrastructure.

The big picture: e& UAE has launched commercial 5G network slicing for enterprises, offering customized connectivity solutions with reserved capacity for critical applications across manufacturing, public safety, and port operations.

• The new offering leverages e&’s 5G standalone network to provide dedicated network resources tailored to specific enterprise performance requirements.
• Businesses can subscribe to bandwidth-based slicing packages that include dedicated industrial-grade 5G customer premises equipment for reliable slice integration.

Edge AI expansion: e& has formed a strategic partnership with Qualcomm to develop advanced 5G and edge AI technologies targeting next-generation enterprise applications.

• The collaboration focuses on creating 5G-based edge AI gateways that bring artificial intelligence closer to data sources for improved performance in industrial settings.
• Additional joint initiatives include developing edge AI devices like PCs and XR hardware featuring Snapdragon platforms with integrated large language models and on-device generative AI capabilities.
• The partnership also extends to smart mobility and safety technologies designed to enhance road safety for UAE’s transportation agencies.

Network infrastructure upgrade: e& UAE completed a pioneering deployment of Ericsson’s dual-band Massive MIMO radio technology in late 2024, significantly enhancing its network capabilities.

• The implementation of Ericsson’s AIR 3229 radio supports simultaneous 5G service delivery on both 2.6 GHz and 3.5 GHz frequency bands.
• This technological advancement doubles the time division duplex carrier components from two to four at high-capacity 5G sites, boosting performance while reducing the network’s carbon footprint.