General News - 19 October, 2013

Mohammed announces new project to transform Dubai into smart city

UAE Vice president, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has announced the launch of a new project aimed at transforming Dubai into a smart city boasting open access to high-speed wireless internet in public areas and the use of Near Field Communication (NFC) to better serve the tech-savvy public.

Announcing the project, Sheikh Mohammed said the new integrated high-tech approach aims to utilise the latest in technology to create a model for providing interactive services for the public. “As a smart city, government departments will be inter-connected to provide faster services and information to all citizens and guests. We strive to create a new smart concept in running cities,” Sheikh Mohammed added.

“Through experience, we have learned that there is no one-model-fits-all for development. We strive to catalyse innovation and push higher the limits of using technology to benefit people,” His Highness emphasised.

The new project to turn Dubai into a smart city will offer connected users up-to-the-minute information on weather, traffic, entertainment, tourism, flights, dining, emergency services and much more. Businessmen and investors will benefit from open access to smart services offered by ports, customs and bourses. A backbone of fiber optics and a network of smart ‘hotspot’ devices will facilitate access to high-speed internet in main public areas of the city.

Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said the new project augments the forward-looking ‘mGovernment’ initiative, launched by Sheikh Mohammed earlier, and an important step that takes Dubai a step further into the digital era.

The directives by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed are being implemented by government departments to create a wide range of citizen-centric services that touches all aspects of everyday life.

“We are marching ahead into the digital future. Dubai will be set to embrace all sorts of smart and interactive applications. We call on experts and professionals joining us at GITEX this year to join us and be part of creating the next generation model for running cities as per the progressive vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed,” Dubai Crown Prince added.

Advanced IT modules that incorporate high-speed internet and Cloud Computing will provide the building blocks for creating an inter-connected city that presents information and services right on the spot. High-speed Wi-Fi access and NFC technology will boost Dubai’s high-tech infrastructure and create a truly connected city.