Etisalat’s technical teams are currently building 600 5G sites to provide the super fast service across the country…

Network provider Etisalat has announced that it is now ready to launch 5G services for all consumers this year. Expected to be launched in the first half of 2019, Etisalat will enable 5G connectivity for all fixed and mobile devices on its network.

Having made Etisalat says that the infrastructure and network is now ready for the super speedy service. “Etisalat’s technical teams are building 600 5G sites to enable 5G coverage across the country, says Saeed Al Zarouni, Senior Vice President, Mobile Networks, “Our network and infrastructure will be ready to provide the service as soon as the 5G mobile handsets are available in UAE.”

So how will 4G differ from 5G?

The new network will provide drastically faster and higher data connectivity according to Al Zarouni. “With 5G technology, consumers will witness maximum speed of 4.5Gbps and on 4G the maximum speed was up to 600 Mbps.”

“The larger bandwidth will provide the capability to handle larger number of connections in any geographical area. With ultra-high speed and low latency services to the user 5G will enable users to enjoy uninterrupted 4K video streaming, best gaming experience, AR/VR services and autonomous transport,” Al Zarouni concluded.

According to Gulf News, 300 5G Etisalat towers will be built in the first half of 2019, with 600 5G sites completed in 2019.

The reveal comes six months after Etisalat signed a deal with Expo 2020 to provide a 5G network at the site.

The blazing-fast mobile tech – which Etisalat claimed at the time will be up to 20 times faster than the current 4G network – is expected to handle upwards of 300,000 simultaneous users on peak days during the upcoming expo.

Primarily designed to stream 4K and 360-degree video with little-to-no lag, it will allow seamless use of forward-looking technology such as virtual reality headsets and internet-connected drones.

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