Sharjah International Airport Is First UAE Airport with 5G+

Sharjah International Airport is the first airport in the UAE to be equipped with an indoor 5G+ network after a collaboration with du to roll out next-generation connectivity across terminal areas. The system is designed to provide higher speeds, lower latency, and more reliable connections for passengers and airport personnel, enabling uses such as seamless streaming, real-time cloud access and improved network performance in crowded zones. The move supports plans to develop the airport as a smart hub.

The collaboration was presented at GITEX Global 2025 with senior officials from Sharjah Airport Authority and du present. The 5G+ network builds on 5G-Advanced technology and is described as delivering up to twice the speeds of current 5G with significantly reduced latency. It is also engineered to operate independently of LTE infrastructure to improve resilience during periods of high demand.

According to the technical outline, the deployment is expected to support a series of smart airport applications. These include real-time flight information systems, automated check-in and baggage tracking, indoor navigation and wayfinding using augmented reality, and operational support through Internet of Things sensors and predictive maintenance. Because the rollout is indoors across all terminals, coverage gaps typically found in underground or enclosed sections should be largely eliminated to ensure more consistent connectivity for passengers and staff.