Ooredoo Kuwait Achieves Regional First With 1024QAM and 8×8 MIMO on Live 5G-Advanced Network

Ooredoo Kuwait  has achieved a new milestone in 5G-Advanced innovation by successfully demonstrating 1024 Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (1024QAM) combined with 8×8 Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (8×8 MIMO) on its live network, marking a first-of-its-kind achievement in the region.

The demonstration was conducted on Ooredoo Kuwait’s live 5G-Advanced network using commercially available devices and existing spectrum resources. Moving beyond controlled laboratory conditions, the results highlight the potential of these advanced technologies to deliver stronger performance in a real-world network environment and enhance the customer experience.

Live network testing showed that combining 1024QAM with 8-layer single-user MIMO (8×8 MIMO) more than doubled peak throughput, delivering an approximately 108% improvement compared with the conventional 256QAM and 4×4 MIMO configuration under suitable radio conditions. Further performance gains are expected as Ooredoo Kuwait continues to optimize its 8×8 MIMO capability.

The results were achieved using the commercially available CPE Ultra 6, further demonstrating the capabilities and readiness of Ooredoo Kuwait’s network.

Unlocking More Performance from Existing Network Resources

1024QAM enhances spectral efficiency by enabling more data to be transmitted within the same spectrum resources, while 8×8 MIMO allows compatible devices to utilize additional spatial data streams simultaneously. Together, these technologies enable Ooredoo Kuwait to deliver greater network performance and capacity while maximizing the value of its existing spectrum and network infrastructure.

This approach also supports Ooredoo Kuwait’s broader Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and network efficiency ambitions. Increasing the amount of data that can be carried using existing spectrum and infrastructure can help limit the need for additional network resources as traffic demand grows, contributing to more efficient utilization of spectrum, radio infrastructure and energy.

“At Ooredoo Kuwait, technology leadership is ultimately about creating a better experience for our customers. This achievement demonstrates how advanced 5G-Advanced capabilities can move beyond the laboratory and deliver tangible benefits in a real network environment. By combining 1024QAM with 8×8 MIMO, we are unlocking greater performance from our network while making more efficient use of our spectrum, infrastructure and energy resources. This reflects our commitment to continuously enhancing customer experience while advancing sustainable network innovation.”

– Essa Haider, Chief Technology Officer, Ooredoo Kuwait

The successful demonstration further highlights the strength of Ooredoo Kuwait’s modern network infrastructure, which is already capable of supporting advanced MIMO technology across its 5G-Advanced network, providing a strong foundation for the next generation of connected devices, applications and customer experiences.

This milestone reinforces Ooredoo Kuwait’s continued leadership in 5G-Advanced innovation, demonstrating how next-generation network technologies can deliver tangible performance improvements while maximizing the efficiency of existing network resources and supporting the sustainable evolution of mobile connectivity in Kuwait.