The International Telecommunications Union, ITU, has concluded its meetings in Abu Dhabi this week with over 200 delegates from 36 countries who came together for the first time in the Middle Eastern region to discuss the future of 5th generation (5G) mobile networks.

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, TRA, of the UAE organised the event with the support of Yahsat, the UAE-based satellite operator. Tariq Al Awadhi, Executive Director of Spectrum Affairs at the TRA and Chairman of the Arab Spectrum Management Group, delivered the closing speech.

The ITU, the United Nations specialised agency for information and communication technologies, ICT, is responsible for allocating global radio spectrum and satellite orbits as well as developing the technical standards that ensure networks and technologies interconnect seamlessly. The agency strives to improve access to ICT to under-served communities worldwide.

The task group meeting in Abu Dhabi belongs to the Radio-communication Sector (ITU-R), which is in charge of coordinating the growing range of radio-communication services, as well as the international management of the radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits.

A large delegation of ICT regulators, policy-makers and experts from industry and academia from around the world discussed the technical aspects for enabling and shaping the next generation of mobile broadband. The task group, known as ITU-R Task Group 5/1, focuses on the technical and regulatory aspects related to frequency bands that could be used for the future development of International Mobile Telecommunications, IMT. The group is expected to conclude its work and put forward formal results by September next year.

5G technology aims to provide higher capacity than the current 4G system, increasing the number of broadband users, and enabling lightning speeds. It is also expected to make the Internet of Things, IoT, where people, along with things, data, applications, transport systems and cities, are connected in a smart networked communications ecosystem, set to become reality by 2020. The TRA has previously announced its roadmap to launch 5G technology in the UAE by that year. The TRA has also established a steering committee with three sub-committees to facilitate the deployment of 5G technology in the UAE.

During the closing ceremony, Cindy Cook, Chairman of the ITU-R Task Group 5/1, said, "The exponential growth of wireless communications, particularly to provide next generation broadband services, can best be accommodated by global solutions to address the need for harmonised radio spectrum use and standards. Cooperation and understanding between all stakeholders is vital when developing solutions for inter-operability and when decisions can have huge social and economic consequences. As we continue the technical discussions towards defining the future of 5th generation wireless systems, we are delighted to have been hosted by the United Arab Emirates, a country that is committed to building a robust and forward-looking digital society."

Commenting on the event, Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, TRA Director-General, said, "We are always pleased to cooperate with international organisations, particularly the International Telecommunication Union, which focuses on one of the most important sectors in the world, the telecommunications sector. The UAE Vision 2021 has put the digital economy at the core of our growth strategy in our country. Transitioning to a knowledge-based economy, promoting innovation, research and development, strengthening the regulatory frameworks, and encouraging high value-adding sectors, such as ICT, are part of our roadmap for the future. The discussions that took place during this event are highly important as they will determine the future of 5G systems and future means of communications. By hosting the ICT international community in Abu Dhabi, the UAE is proving, once again, that we are a leading player in shaping the future of smart digital transformation."