Etisalat UAE has announced the commercial launch of a new technology on its 5.5G network that, for the first time globally, can triple data upload speeds on compatible smartphones.

The technology uses 2×2 Uplink MIMO and carrier aggregation to increase data transmission capacity, allowing users to upload high-quality photos, videos and large files more quickly.

According to Etisalat, the technology can also improve the performance of artificial intelligence applications and cloud services, particularly those that need to send data to cloud servers for image analysis, document review or processing information from smartphone cameras.

Faster upload speeds with new 5.5G technology

Carrier aggregation combines the capacity of multiple frequency bands to provide greater bandwidth for data transmission. Using it alongside 2×2 Uplink MIMO can increase upload speeds on compatible smartphones by up to three times.

Etisalat said upload speeds have become as important as download speeds amid the growing use of social media, video content creation, cloud services and AI tools.

Marwan bin Shakar, Chief Technology Officer at Etisalat UAE, said: “The mobile experience is changing. Smartphones are no longer used solely to receive content; they have become tools for creating, sharing and transmitting information in real time to AI applications and cloud services.”

He added that introducing this smartphone capability for the first time globally would increase the network’s upload capacity and prepare Etisalat’s 5.5G infrastructure for users’ future needs.

Which phones support faster 5.5G speeds?

According to Etisalat UAE, the technology will be available on compatible smartphones connected to the operator’s 5.5G network.

However, the company has not yet released a list of supported models or specified the speeds users can expect in practice. It has also not confirmed whether the feature is available across all areas covered by its network.

Etisalat said the launch forms part of its continued investment in expanding 5.5G infrastructure and meeting growing demand for AI services, large-file transfers and cloud computing.