e& extends 5G Standalone lead over du on higher capex

• Performance gains lift UAE’s network leadership globally.

The UAE’s two mobile operators launched 5G Standalone (SA) in 2023, but adoption is advancing faster at e& than at du.

e&’s SA penetration rose from 20 per cent in Q2 2025 to 24 per cent in Q3 2025, reflecting steady progress in nationwide rollout alongside growing device and SIM compatibility. du’s SA uptake remains slower by comparison.

SA is built on a dedicated 5G core—unlike 5G Non‑Standalone (NSA), which relies on 4G control—unlocking capabilities such as ultra‑reliable low‑latency communications (URLLC), network slicing, and stronger uplink performance. This underpins enterprise SLAs, edge computing, and new consumer experiences, and sets the stage for 5G‑Advanced with AI/ML‑driven, self‑optimising networks.

According to Opensignal’s stats, e& users on 5G SA averaged 403.7Mbps download speeds in Q3 2025, 62 per cent higher than the 249Mbps on NSA.

• Upload speeds: SA reached 29.8 Mbps, 11 per cent above NSA’s 26.8Mbps. Notably, NSA held an early‑year uplink edge (Q1: 31.1Mbps NSA vs. 28.1Mbps SA), but SA overtook by Q3 as uplink scheduling, carrier aggregation, and radio resource management matured on the 5G core.
• Stability: SA download speeds stayed above 400Mbps across Q2–Q3, while NSA averaged below 270Mbps, indicating SA’s consistency through the period.

Investment gap

• e&: AED3 billion in Q3 2025 capex (excluding spectrum and licenses), with capital intensity of 16.3 per cent.
• du: AED492 million in Q3 2025 capex, down from AED511 million in Q3 2024; capital intensity at 12.7 per cent versus 14.2 per cent a year earlier.
• Context: Industry experts tie e&’s network performance to sustained investment and progressive upgrades, supporting SA densification and core optimisation.

The UAE ranks among top global markets for 5G SA download performance at about 384Mbps in recent benchmarks—well above its NSA results—underscoring the country’s leadership and e&’s contribution during Q3 2025.

Outlook for operators and enterprises

• Adoption drivers: Continued SA growth depends on broader SA‑capable device portfolios, SIM provisioning, and indoor coverage. Enterprise demand for slicing, deterministic latency, and uplink‑heavy use cases (video sharing, cloud gaming, industrial telemetry) will be pivotal.
• Competitive implications: e&’s higher capex and measured performance lead position it to capture more SA traffic and premium service tiers. du may need targeted densification, device partnerships, and differentiated enterprise offers to accelerate SA uptake.
• Next phase: 5G‑Advanced initiatives—embedding AI/ML across RAN and core—are set to improve energy efficiency, automation, and service agility, potentially widening performance gaps for operators that invest early.

Related Posts:

• Gulf regulators reassign prime airwaves to strengthen 5G, LTE