The Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) announced the launch of the Qatar Sixth Generation (6G) Testbed Platform during MWC25 Doha, marking a major milestone in Qatar’s progress toward enhancing innovation and accelerating adoption of next-generation communications.

The announcement featured the signing of a Letter of Intent (LoI) between CRA, Ooredoo Qatar, and Vodafone Qatar, establishing a national collaborative framework to test and develop emerging 6G technologies.

The LoI was signed by Engineer Ahmad bin Abdulla AlMuslemani, President of CRA; Sheikh Ali bin Jabor bin Mohammad Al Thani, Chief Executive Officer of Ooredoo Qatar; and Sheikh Hamad Abdulla Jassim Al Thani, Chief Executive Officer at Vodafone Qatar. The signing took place during a ceremony held on the sidelines of MWC25 Doha in the presence of senior officials and representatives from the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry, academia, and international organizations.

The Qatar 6G Testbed Platform will serve as an integrated national experimental environment enabling the testing and validation of advanced wireless technologies ahead of their commercial deployment. The platform will support trials in high-frequency spectrum bands, Artificial Intelligence Native Networks (AINN), ultra-low latency communications, advanced edge computing, and the new generation of Internet of Things (IoT 2.0). Initial trials are expected to begin later this year in selected smart districts across Qatar, including Lusail City and Education City.

This initiative forms an integral part of Qatar’s national roadmap for 6G development, which aims to strengthen the country’s leadership in the ICT sector and drive digital transformation journey. The roadmap outlines a collaborative approach involving CRA, telecom Service Providers, technology vendors, and academic partners to support innovation and enhance the national digital ecosystem.

Engineer Ahmad bin Abdulla AlMuslemani, President of the Communications Regulatory Authority, said: “The launch of the Qatar National 6G Testbed Platform represents a strategic milestone that significantly enhances the country’s readiness for future technologies and reflects our commitment to advancing the telecommunications sector in line with rapidly evolving global developments. This initiative aims to establish a comprehensive national environment for testing and validating advanced wireless technologies, including the technical capabilities enabled by 6G, such as high speeds and low latency. This platform will support advanced applications in artificial intelligence, edge computing, and the Internet of Things, providing essential pillars to bolster national efforts in digital transformation and create broader opportunities for innovation and investment across various sectors in the country.”

“The signing of the project's Letter of Intent underscores the Communications Regulatory Authority’s dedication to formalizing collaboration with its partners from government entities, academic institutions, and specialized companies. This ensures the implementation of the initiative according to the highest standards and contributes to enhancing Qatar’s position as a regional hub for development and innovation in telecommunications and modern technologies,” he added. 

Sheikh Ali Bin Jabor Bin Mohammad Al Thani, Chief Executive Officer at Ooredoo Qatar, commented: "Launching the Qatar 6G Testbed Platform at MWC25 Doha sends a clear message. Qatar is already preparing for what comes after 5G. Building on our long-standing track record of pioneering next-generation networks, this collaboration with CRA will help us reimagine how connectivity, cloud, AI and advanced devices come together in a truly hyperconnected world. In doing so, we are directly supporting Qatar's National Digital Agenda and accelerating the country's journey towards a more inclusive, sustainable and digitally empowered economy. The insights we gain here will guide our long-term investments, strengthen Qatar's position as a regional technology hub and open new horizons of opportunity for the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs. As always, we remain committed to advancing Qatar’s digital infrastructure by introducing cutting-edge innovations and technologies that strengthen the nation’s connectivity and future-readiness." 

Chief Executive Officer at Vodafone Qatar, Sheikh Hamad Abdulla Jassim Al Thani, commented: “Vodafone Qatar is proud to be part of this pioneering national collaboration to launch the Qatar 6G Testbed Platform. This collective effort supports the ambitions of the Qatar National Vision 2030 and reflects the country’s shared commitment to advancing next-generation digital capabilities. As a trusted digital partner, we believe 6G will unlock new possibilities in intelligent connectivity, advanced mobility, and immersive digital experiences. Vodafone Qatar remains committed to driving innovation and technology development as well as contributing to Qatar’s digital transformation journey.”

Under the terms of the LoI, CRA will oversee the regulatory framework and spectrum allocation for the testbed, while Ooredoo Qatar and Vodafone Qatar will deploy pilot 6G infrastructure and contribute their technical expertise. The collaboration also opens opportunities for partnerships with global technology providers and research institutions to promote innovation and build national capacity in emerging communication technologies.