Brief
Etisalat UAE launches 5.5G upgrade promising three‑fold faster uploads
The UAE operator says the new 5.5G feature boosts upload capacity for supported phones, addressing growing demand for high‑resolution content sharing.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Etisalat UAE announced on 13 Oct 2026 that its 5.5G network now supports a "2×2 uplink MIMO with carrier aggregation" capability, which the company says can deliver up to three times faster upload speeds for compatible smartphones.
What happened
The operator introduced the upgrade across its 5.5G network in Dubai, stating that the technology allows a supported phone to send two simultaneous data streams while combining capacity from multiple frequency bands. The company did not list specific handset models, coverage maps or exact speed figures, but described the change as a "global first" for commercial smartphone deployment.
What the reports add
Etisalat’s statement explained that the improvement targets the uplink – the direction of data from the device to the network – which it says has become a bottleneck as users share high‑resolution photos, videos and large files. The release clarified that the upgrade does not promise a similar increase in download speeds.
What was said
Marwan Bin Shakar, Chief Technology Officer of Etisalat UAE, told Gulf News, "Mobile experiences are changing. Smartphones are no longer primarily consuming content; they are creating, sharing and increasingly sending richer data to AI and cloud applications in real time. That changes what we need from the network." He added, "By bringing this capability to smartphones for the first time globally, we are increasing upload capacity where it matters and ensuring our 5.5G network is ready for how customers will use their devices next."
How it came about
The upgrade reflects Etisalat’s response to shifting user behaviour, with the operator noting that traditional network development has focused on downlink capacity. By enhancing uplink performance, Etisalat aims to support emerging applications such as real‑time AI processing and cloud‑based workflows that rely on rapid data transmission from the device.
Key facts
- Etisalat UAE launched a 5.5G upgrade using 2×2 uplink MIMO with carrier aggregation. (gulfnews.com)
- The company claims the upgrade can provide up to three times faster upload speeds for compatible smartphones. (gulfnews.com)
- Marwan Bin Shakar, CTO of Etisalat UAE, said the change addresses growing demand for higher uplink capacity. (gulfnews.com)
Sources
- [1] gulfnews.com — originally reported as “Etisalat UAE Launches 5. 5G Upgrade: Faster Uploads for Smartphones Explained”
