6G will deliver faster connectivity and higher data-transfer speeds across smartphones, tablets, laptops and other connected devices.

Du, the UAE-based telecom and digital services provider, has released its first industry whitepaper, The Intelligence Network: A 6G Blueprint for Telcos, outlining its vision for the evolution of telecom networks into AI-native, autonomous and commercially monetizable infrastructure.

Developed by du Infra in partnership with the Digital Future Institute at Khalifa University, the whitepaper examines how telecom operators can move beyond traditional connectivity to become providers of intelligent infrastructure capable of supporting the needs of customers, enterprises and the wider economy.

The publication is supported by du’s upper 6 GHz field trials conducted on live macro network infrastructure in Mohamed Bin Zayed City, Abu Dhabi. The trials are among the region’s early large-scale validations of upper-mid-band spectrum, achieving outdoor coverage of up to 500 metres and peak downlink speeds approaching 1.5 Gbps using existing network sites.

H.E. Professor Ebrahim Al Hajri, President, Khalifa University, said: “Advancing next-generation technologies requires deep collaboration between academia and industry. Through this partnership with du, Khalifa University is translating world-class research into practical solutions that help shape the future of intelligent telecommunications. By combining scientific expertise with real-world deployment, we are not only contributing to the evolution of AI-native 6G networks but also reinforcing the UAE’s position as a global hub for innovation, advanced technologies and knowledge-driven economic growth.”

Fahad Al Hassawi, CEO of du, added: “The next decade of telecom will be defined by how much intelligence they can deliver. This whitepaper sets out du’s conviction that networks must evolve from infrastructure that connects to infrastructure that understands the needs of our customers and the wider economy. Our upper 6 GHz field results show that this future is not theoretical. It is being built today, on our existing network, and positions du to lead the region’s transition toward AI-native, autonomous telecom infrastructure.”

The whitepaper comes as mobile data traffic is projected to more than triple by 2030, while telecom revenues are expected to grow at a considerably slower pace. Against this backdrop, du describes 6G as the next stage in the evolution of 5G and 5G-Advanced, with networks expected to become software-defined, AI-native platforms capable of sensing, predicting, deciding and responding in real time.

The blueprint highlights technologies including intent-based orchestration, Network Digital Twins and Telecom World Models as key components of this transformation. It also positions the Radio Access Network (RAN) as a core element of network intelligence, moving beyond conventional radio transmission to become a more energy-efficient and sensing-enabled platform for intelligent wireless communications.

The whitepaper also focuses on the commercial potential of AI-native networks. By packaging network intelligence into new services, telecom operators could develop revenue opportunities across AI-powered network operations, enterprise digital twins, autonomous AI agents and outcome-based service guarantees.

du’s 6G roadmap builds on its existing 5G-Advanced capabilities and its commitments under the TM Forum Autonomous Networks Manifesto. The company said this approach provides a practical and sustainable pathway towards greater network autonomy while combining research, innovation and real-world deployment.

With the publication of its first industry whitepaper, du is positioning itself as an active contributor to the development of intelligent telecommunications, while seeking to accelerate the industry’s transition towards autonomous, AI-native 6G networks.