e& UAE Outlines Sensing-led 6G Future
The operator’s latest white paper argues that 6G networks will act as real-time sensors, not just faster data pipes.
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Following the successful demonstration of the first 6G Terahertz pilot in the Middle East, which achieved record-breaking throughput in 2025, e& UAE has published a comprehensive report outlining its vision for the next generation of mobile networks.
The flagship telecom arm of global technology group e&’s new white paper outlines how sixth-generation (6G) could reshape the role of telecom infrastructure, positioning networks not just as conduits for data but as active systems capable of sensing and interpreting the physical world in real time.
The paper, titled “Integrated Sensing and Communication in 6G: e&’s Perspective on Strategic Applications, Monetisation Potential, and Global Roadmap” argues that Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) will be a defining factor of future 6G standards. ISAC enables the same radio signals used for connectivity to also function as radar-like sensors, allowing networks to detect objects, track movement, and monitor environmental conditions without relying on external hardware such as cameras or dedicated sensors.
The report frames this capability as a shift toward what it describes as “spatial intelligence,” where base stations evolve into distributed sensing nodes. In practical terms, this would turn network infrastructure into a platform for real-time situational awareness. According to e& UAE’s analysis, such capabilities could unlock new classes of applications across industrial automation, autonomous mobility, airspace and drone traffic management, and privacy-preserving healthcare monitoring.
Marwan Bin Shakar, Acting Chief Technology and Information Officer at e& UAE, characterises the transition as more than a generational speed upgrade. Instead, the paper positions 6G as a structural rethinking of what mobile networks do and how value is created. By embedding sensing directly into the network layer, operators could support safety-critical and mission-critical use cases that demand low latency, high reliability, and continuous environmental awareness.
Beyond technology, the white paper outlines potential monetisation pathways. That includes sensing-as-a-service offerings, vertically packaged solutions tailored to specific industries, and service-level-agreement-based network slices designed for applications such as collision avoidance or industrial safety.
The report prioritises early commercial opportunities in manufacturing, transportation, public safety, and immersive media sectors where real-time spatial data could align most clearly with near-term demand.
e& UAE also highlights concrete progress toward this vision. The operator points to the region’s first ISAC-based drone detection pilot, conducted during GITEX 2025, as well as ongoing experimentation in the terahertz spectrum—widely expected to underpin future 6G deployments due to its capacity for ultra-high data rates and fine-grained sensing.
The publication builds upon the broader national effort to shape the post-5G era. In November 2025, the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) launched the UAE’s 6G Initiative, bringing together government entities, telecom operators, universities, research centres, and global technology companies under a newly formed 6G Committee.
The initiative aims to consolidate the UAE’s research, regulatory, and industrial capabilities as the global telecom ecosystem begins early-stage 6G standardisation. Two subcommittees have been established: a Research and Development Working Group chaired by Marwan Dabbah of Khalifa University, and an Integration and Strategic Partnerships Working Group led by TDRA’s Khaled Al Awadhi.
