The telco aims to deploy IoT projects across the UAE in the future
The United Arab Emirates’ second-largest operator Du has tested what it claims to be the first true “Internet of Things” network in the Middle East.
The telco said that the recently tested network can relay data from sensors countrywide, enabling smarter management of a wide range of city resources such as smart street lighting, waste management and parking.
“We need a new breed of ‘sensor friendly’ network to establish the smart city ecosystem. Thanks to Du, this capability now exists in the United Arab Emirates,” Carlos Domingo, the operator’s new business and innovation senior executive officer, said.
The IoT technology was recently showcased to Dubai’s community and business leaders as part of Du’s growing capabilities as a smart city enabler. “Dubai is our home and we want to lead its transition to become a better, smarter city for all to enjoy. We will not stop in Dubai, our deployment will continue countrywide throughout the UAE,” Domingo said.
To implement its IoT network, the Arab telecom operator has chosen LoRa, a technology promoted by the LoRa Alliance, an open, nonprofit association initiated to standardize networks globally to enable IoT, machine-to-machine, smart city and industrial applications.
LoRa Alliance is currently supported by Actility, Cisco, Eolane, IBM, Kerlink, IMST, MultiTech, Sagemcom, Semtech, Microchip Technology and by service providers including Bouygues Telecom, KPN, SingTel, Proximus, Swisscom, FastNet and Du.
Du has recently launched its LTE-A network through a partnership with Nokia Networks. In June 2012, the operator commercially launched LTE services on 1800 MHz. Founded in 2007, the Arab telecom operator serves more than 7.5 million individual customers and over 80,000 businesses in the UAE. The telco also provides services for the enterprise segment.
The other telecom operator in the United Arab Emirates is Etisalat, which initially launched 4G LTE in September 2011 through spectrum in the 1800 MHz and 2600 MHz bands.
