As the telecommunications industry steps into a new era, the evolution from 5G to 5G-Advanced (5G-A) has rapidly accelerated. Over the past year, global operators have initiated large-scale upgrades and trials, achieving up to a 10-fold increase in network capacity, enabling richer consumer experiences, powering ultra-low-latency services, and opening new monetization streams.
Across the GCC, Zain KSA, Ooredoo Kuwait, and stc Kuwait have begun deploying 5G‑Advanced networks utilizing upgrades such as multi-carrier aggregation, massive MIMO, carrier aggregation with C-band or 3.5 GHz, and 5G Standalone (SA) infrastructure, accelerating the region’s shift toward ultra-fast, next-gen connectivity.
In the UAE, du’s 5G+ and e&’s 5.5G signal clear progress, while mainstream terminals from Apple and Samsung already support 5G-A capabilities, enabling peak downlink speeds of up to 5 Gbps per user through multi-carrier aggregation. In addition, China now has over 50 million 5G-A users, and the GCC has surpassed 10,000 deployed 5G-A sites, with the UAE and Kuwait together exceeding one million commercial users as the technology moves into full-scale commercialization.
Against this backdrop, the 19th edition of the Telecom Review Leaders’ Summit, under the theme ‘Tech Intelligence Beyond Mobility,’ will host a panel on December 10th titled ‘5G-Advanced Monetization in the GCC,’ which will bring together operators, technology ecosystem partners, and equipment vendors to explore how 5G-A can unlock full business potential in the GCC. Telecom Review has been an ardent proponent of 5G-Advanced adoption in the GCC and has been instrumental in the knowledge-sharing required for the proliferation of this transformative technology.
Robust Network Construction Needed for Industrial Applications
The approach to 5G-A network construction, experience, and industrial development varies globally, with operators increasingly adopting differentiated experience strategies, offering speed-tiered plans, and personalizing services to achieve greater attraction and retention.
As countries accelerate their digital transformation strategies, GCC operators will play a vital role in building viable 5G-A business models. Beyond telecom, 5G-A is driving cross-industry collaboration in automotive, healthcare, and smart manufacturing, consequently prompting a discussion on how regulators can foster partnerships that accelerate adoption while ensuring interoperability.
In line with this trajectory, expert panelists from leading ICT companies will discuss the progress in 5G-A deployment and capacity expansion, investment priorities, and timelines for nationwide 5G-A coverage. New features such as 10× capacity, improved uplink rates, and precise positioning will also be analyzed, serving as a roadmap for operators going into 2026.
5G-A promises to unlock new categories of applications that operators can monetize, not only in consumer markets but also in enterprise, industrial, and entertainment domains. The convergence of AI and 5G-A is further reshaping service delivery, enabling network optimization, personalized offerings, and entirely new business models. As consumers increasingly value emotional resonance and unique service experiences, operators can leverage 5G-A capabilities to differentiate their offerings and drive sustainable growth.
The panelists will explore how operators can build sustainable commercial models around these new capabilities, turning 5G-A innovations into profitable offerings.
Vendors to Power the GCC’s Full 5G-A Vision
Vendors play a foundational role in bringing the 5G-A vision to life. Their technological advances, from radio access equipment to AI-enhanced network software, are enabling operators to achieve the dramatic improvements associated with 5G-A.
Device and chipset manufacturers are equally critical to realizing the full potential of 5G-A. The panel will cover the current status of 3CC (Three-Carrier Aggregation) terminals in the GCC and plans for broader adoption. Additionally, the panelists will highlight the importance of collaboration between operators, device vendors, and chipset makers in the AI era to successfully commercialize 5G-A applications and deliver seamless, high-performance user experiences.
As 5G-A becomes a commercial reality, the focus of the industry is shifting from coverage to experience and from technology deployment to monetization. The ‘5G-Advanced Monetization in the GCC’ panel will offer a comprehensive overview of how regulators, operators, and vendors can align to build profitable, differentiated, and sustainable 5G-A business models.
