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5G In UAE: Etisalat & Ericsson Join Forces To Deploy 5G High-Band
Once deployed, the network should be able to provide fiber-like speeds over the air, delivering data speeds of 4.2 Gbps and latency of 8 milliseconds.
Soon, all owners of 5G-enabled devices will be able to enjoy increased speeds and lower latency because Etisalat, UAE-based multinational telecom services operator, has joined forces with Ericsson, Swedish multinational networking and telecommunications company, to deploy 5G in UAE through millimeter wave (mmWave) small cell networks.
Once deployed, the network should be able to provide fiber-like speeds over the air, delivering data speeds of 4.2 Gbps and latency of 8 milliseconds (ms). Because 5G networks can support a greater number of connected devices than 4G networks, UAE residents can look forward to problem-free internet access even in crowded places, such as malls and stadiums.
“Etisalat has always been at the forefront of the telecom industry, and we continuously work to provide our customers with the best possible digital experience,” said Haitham AbdulRazzak, Chief Technology Officer at Etisalat.
“We look forward to supporting Etisalat in harnessing the opportunities that new technologies like 5G can present for the people of the UAE,” added Ekow Nelson, Vice President and Head of Global Customer Unit Etisalat at Ericsson MENA, in the official press release.
5G technology is positioned to become a key enabler of the UAE Vision 2021, which was launched by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to transition the country to a knowledge-based economy, promoting innovation and research and development.
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All businesses that depend on reliable, secure, and fast internet connectivity will be able to reap its benefits to support remote workers, implement innovative Internet of Things solutions, and deliver immersive experiences to their customers.
5G connectivity additionally paves the way for smart cities, which can be imagined as pulsing digital ecosystems where countless sensors collect data to manage resources and infrastructure more efficiently. 5G will hopefully take the United Arab Emirates to another level of connectivity and innovation.
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AltoVolo Opens Orders For Limited Edition Sigma eVTOLs
Early buyers can now reserve build slots for AltoVolo’s 500-mile hybrid aircraft through a new online configurator.
AltoVolo has started taking pre-orders for its first electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, the Sigma, moving the startup closer to commercial rollout. Customers can now secure a build slot with a £860 deposit and customize every detail online — from paintwork to seatbelt stitching. It’s the first configurator of its kind for a civilian eVTOL, mirroring how luxury car brands let clients tailor performance models before production.
The Sigma runs on a hybrid-electric tilting jet system built for long range and low noise. It can travel up to 500 miles at a 220-mph cruise, and is over 80% quieter than a helicopter. The three-seater weighs just 980kg and can maintain stable flight even if one jet fails. Safety systems include triple-redundant controls, thrust-vectoring stability and a ballistic parachute.
“We will be delivering an ultra-refined hybrid electric aircraft,” said founder and CEO Will Wood. “We believe there are thousands of customers for this type of cutting-edge technology”.
The first 100 units will come with exclusive materials and finishes. AltoVolo is also setting up a global service and maintenance network, with early planning for overhaul schedules already underway. The company’s focus on ownership experience echoes its ambition to anchor itself alongside established aviation brands rather than pure tech ventures.
To help new owners train, the company has built a full-scale simulator that replicates the Sigma cockpit in carbon fiber and leather. Pilots can log time toward a license using the system, aligned with the new US MOSAIC rules that ease certification for powered-lift aircraft. Certification work in Europe and the UK continues in parallel, signaling growing international alignment around light sport and eVTOL regulation.
Also Read: Snapchat Opens Qatar Office To Deepen Gulf Presence
Noise inside the cabin has become another design focus. Engineers are refining internal vibration levels and developing a responsive soundscape that shifts with each jet’s power load — part feedback, part theatre.
Urban air mobility projects across the Gulf and elsewhere are pushing regulators and manufacturers to meet in the middle. Dubai, Riyadh and Doha have each outlined plans for air taxi corridors this decade. AltoVolo’s hybrid Sigma, sitting between electric promise and aviation realism, looks built for that middle ground.
