The network, unveiled at GITEX Global 2025, offers speeds of up to double those of standard 5G and features a standalone architecture that decouples from LTE systems. It is engineered for low latency, resilient coverage, and high traffic environments. The rollout covers all terminals, addressing coverage gaps in enclosed zones and facilitating digital services like augmented-reality wayfinding, automated check-in, real-time baggage tracking and IoT-based infrastructure monitoring.
Ali Salem Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Airport Authority, described the collaboration as a key step in transforming the airport into a “state-of-the-art smart transport hub.” Fahad Al Hassawi, CEO of du, said the deployment underscores the company’s ambition to set new benchmarks in network performance and support the UAE’s digital transformation agenda.
Du’s 5G+ innovation is based on the 5G-Advanced standard. It supports features such as enhanced throughput, ultra-reliable low latency communications, and massive machine-type connectivity. It also requires compatible devices and SIMs, since the system operates independently of LTE. In dense environments such as an airport, it is expected to manage bandwidth constraints more effectively and reduce interference.
The operator has already rolled out 5G+ in major urban zones across the UAE, targeting tight deadlines for full national coverage by the close of 2025. Du claims the network can offer up to twice the download speeds compared with existing 5G, and significantly improved uplink performance and stability in high-density settings.
Critics, however, caution that user uptake of 5G+ hinges on device compatibility and user adoption. Unless a majority of devices and SIM cards support the new standard, many users may still operate on legacy 5G or fallback LTE modes, undercutting potential gains. Moreover, the cost and complexity of retrofitting existing infrastructure to 5G+ may slow deployment in older buildings and terminals at other airports.
Industry analysts see the Sharjah deployment as a test case for integrating advanced telecom infrastructure directly into aviation environments. If successful, it could spur similar upgrades at major airports across the region, particularly in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, where passenger throughput demands continue to rise year on year.
Beyond passenger connectivity, the technology is expected to support operational resilience. The independent architecture ensures network robustness even if portions of LTE service degrade. Du’s network upgrade roadmap already includes support for augmented reality, real-time translation, immersive applications, and AI-powered automation in sectors such as logistics and aviation.
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