Du and Qualcomm demonstrate WiGig at GITEX

Du and Qualcomm Technologies Inc. have announced that the companies have successfully showcased 802.11ad Multi-gigabit Wi-Fi technology (also known as WiGig), a first in the Middle East region.  The demonstration took place during GITEX Technology Week in Dubai, paving the way for rapid deployment of 802.11ad in the region.  802.11ad delivers peak speeds of up to 4.6Gbps, lower latency, and improved network capacity. Utilizing millimeter-wave spectrum (mmWave) at 60GHz, 802.11ad serves as a foundational technology for 5G.

Du is proud to have been selected as smart city partner for Wi-Fi in Dubai and has recently launched “WiFi UAE” with 300+ hotspots. 802.11ad will be a crucial addition to du’s already impressive technology portfolio, providing a step-up in Wi-Fi capacity and addressing the ever-increasing demand for data while offering enhanced user experiences. Together with 5G technologies, 802.11ad will enable du to provide multi-gigabit wireless connectivity across its networks.

As an important step in the evolution of Wi-Fi, 802.11ad is designed to enable a new class of applications and services such as wire-equivalent docking, low-latency video streaming, multimedia kiosks, untethered VR glasses and more.  Working seamlessly with 802.11ac Wave 2, 802.11ad is designed to transform the experiences for Wi-Fi users, whether it be it in the office, home or public venues.

“As proud partners of the Smart Dubai Platform, it is up to us to ensure that our networks are well-equipped to handle the growing traffic as we begin to venture into a future where the Internet of Things (IoT) and 5G is a norm. Working with Qualcomm Technologies has enabled us to introduce yet another first in the Middle East, with the successful testing of 802.11ad technology. We are currently working with other companies to add this technology to our Wi-Fi portfolio and make it available for all users in UAE,” said  Saleem AlBlooshi, Executive Vice President of Network Development and Operations at du. “This  successful demonstration adds further impetus to the initiative of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in establishing the UAE as a global leader in all aspects and as an innovator in technology in the Middle East region.”

“We are proud to have worked with du to successfully showcase 802.11ad technology in the Middle-East as the introduction of the technology in the region will not only substantially enhance Wi-Fi user experiences, but pave the way for 5G development in the region,” said Rahul Patel, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Connectivity, Qualcomm Technologies. “Powering the industry’s first commercial 802.11ad-enabled access point, laptop and smartphone products, Qualcomm Technologies prides ourselves in continuing to play an instrumental role in bringing advanced Wi-Fi technologies to life and with working alongside innovative companies like du in building a strong 802.11ad end-to-end ecosystem.”