du seals UAE smart city contract, as it claims worlds fastest LTE-A throughput

UAE operator du sealed a deal to supply telecoms infrastructure and services for a 150,000-square-metre smart city project in Dubai, on the opening day of the annual Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX).

The operator agreed to provide telecoms infrastructure and services to Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA) for its Silicon Park development, which comprises offices, commercial and residential space, and a hotel. The agreement also covers another DSOA development, Silicon Oasis, and includes collaborating on infrastructure design, and set up and operation of a command and control centre.

du will also deliver end-to-end and fully managed Wi-Fi services to the DSOA smart city sites.

Osman Sultan, du CEO, said: "The convergence of life, mobility, economy, governance and environment in the smart city of tomorrow is only possible through a visionary approach towards technology. Our partnership with Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority takes into account the requirements for all the pillars that will form the basis of the smart city. Providing seamless connectivity for customers is the first step to ensuring the rapid realisation of the Dubai Smart City vision."

UAE regulator the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) in January opened its first laboratory dedicated to testing mobile government services as part of the smart city project. The country's mGovernment initiative aims to deliver access to government services and information via mobile phones and other technologies, allowing citizens to access services at any time, not just during office hours.

Up to 180 e-government applications are tipped to be launched during GITEX. However, analysts say more needs to be done to publicise the new apps and the benefits they offer, Gulf Business reported.

du, meanwhile, also used the event to demonstrate 3-carrier LTE-Advanced technology. The operator said it achieved the world's highest throughput during the demonstration, with a peak rate of 900 Mbps, and pledged that the network will offer an "ultra mobile broadband experience" to its customers once launched commercially.

For more:
- see du's smart city announcement
- read this Gulf Business article
- see du's LTE-Advanced statement

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