Qatar achieved a peak download speed of 12.23 gigabits per second (Gbps) during advanced mobile network trials, marking another step toward developing 6G technology. The country's Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) conducted the trials in collaboration with Ooredoo Qatar and Vodafone Qatar, with Huawei participating as the technology partner.
The results were showcased at MWC26 Doha, held at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center from November 8 to 10, 2026. The demonstration highlighted the potential of next-generation mobile networks to deliver faster data speeds, greater network capacity and improved performance.
The trials recorded a peak download speed of 12.23Gbps using six-component carrier aggregation (6CC), combining a total bandwidth of 600MHz with advanced 256T256R Massive Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (Massive MIMO) antenna systems.
The configuration included 400MHz of temporarily authorized spectrum in the upper 6GHz band and 200MHz of commercially deployed 5G New Radio (NR) spectrum in the 3.5GHz band.
The initiative builds on Qatar's 6G Testbed Platform, which the CRA launched during MWC Doha 2025. The platform aims to establish a national testing environment to evaluate emerging wireless technologies and assess their performance ahead of future network developments.
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The CRA is leading the initiative by providing regulatory support and temporary spectrum authorization. Ooredoo Qatar and Vodafone Qatar are contributing network infrastructure and engineering expertise, while Huawei is providing the technology ecosystem supporting the trials.
CRA President Engineer Ahmad bin Abdulla AlMuslemani said the initiative is part of the country's preparations for its digital future. He highlighted 6 G's potential to drive innovation, improve consumer experiences, and support future telecommunications services.
Ooredoo Qatar CEO Sheikh Ali bin Jabor bin Mohammad Al-Thani said the results would provide valuable insights for research, innovation and future network development.
Vodafone Qatar CEO Sheikh Hamad bin Abdulla bin Jassim Al-Thani also described the results as an important step towards next-generation mobile communications.
The initiative supports Qatar National Vision 2030 and Digital Agenda 2030, which focus on digital transformation and advanced connectivity.
Huawei's GCC President Lin Jincan said the company remains committed to supporting the transition from 5G towards 5G-Advanced and 6G.
However, the trials demonstrate technological capabilities rather than the commercial availability of 6G services.