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WAM reported that etisalat UAE has become the first operator globally to commercially launch 2×2 uplink MIMO combined with carrier aggregation for smartphones. The deployment on the company’s 5.5G network delivers up to three times the previous upload speeds for compatible devices. This step addresses shifting mobile usage patterns that place greater emphasis on data creation and transmission rather than solely on consumption.
The technology offers increased capacity and bandwidth to support rapid uploads of high-resolution photos, video sharing, large files and AI-driven applications, etisalat UAE explained in the announcement. 2×2 uplink MIMO enables the simultaneous transmission of two data streams from a device. Carrier aggregation merges capacity from various frequency bands to boost overall performance.
In a statement, Marwan Bin Shakar, Chief Technology Officer at etisalat UAE, said, “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. 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.” The executive noted that the innovation aligns network infrastructure with emerging customer behaviors.
This initiative extends etisalat UAE’s history of uplink performance leadership. A report published by Arabian Business stated that the operator achieved a world-record 600 Mbps uplink on a live 5G network in 2025 by aggregating FR1 bands and applying Uplink 3Tx on commercial customer premises equipment. That demonstration adhered to 3GPP Release 17 standards and set a benchmark for subsequent 5G-Advanced developments.
The smartphone-focused 2×2 uplink MIMO rollout moves high uplink capabilities beyond trial or enterprise equipment into broader consumer access. The announcement did not specify which handsets support the feature, and actual speeds will depend on factors including signal quality and network traffic, etisalat UAE indicated. Similar uplink enhancements have been tested by operators in various markets under the 5G-Advanced framework.
etisalat UAE has continued to expand its 5.5G infrastructure to meet rising symmetric data requirements across consumer and business segments. The operator’s efforts form part of wider UAE investments in advanced connectivity that have positioned the country among global leaders in telecommunications readiness, according to International Telecommunication Union assessments. Faster uploads are anticipated to benefit content creators, cloud users and sectors adopting real-time AI applications.
