UAE-based Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (du) is set to partner with Orange Business Services, a unit of French multinational telecommunications group Orange, to deliver a complete range of smart city services for Silicon Park.

Silicon Park, the first integrated smart city project taking shape at Dubai Silicon Oasis, is well on schedule to deliver a complete range of smart city services. It is set for completion by the first quarter of this year.

Operationally, the main data centre infrastructure is already up and running, and over a third of all services are now in various stages of implementation. It is estimated that by the end of Q4 2018, the Internet of Things (IoT) gateways will be commissioned.

This will be crucial in driving smart management of environmental practices at Silicon Park.

With this new tie-up, smart living is set to become a reality soon, said a senior du official.

"Smart City services constitute our biggest opportunity to enhance the UAE’s position as a global hub for tourism, commerce and as a happy place to live," remarked Farid Faraidooni, the deputy CEO at ICT Solutions.

"We are already engaged with Abu Dhabi, Ajman and other emirates in building smart ecosystems in the UAE. Silicon Park is among the most eagerly-anticipated smart living projects in the Middle East region and once delivered, it will act as a significant milestone in realising the vision of Smart Dubai," he stated.

"It showcases our metamorphosis into a credible, integrated ICT services provider and demonstrates inherent strengths and the value that telcos can bring in delivering such ambitious and complex projects," he added.

Luc Serviant, the vice-president at Middle East and Africa, Orange Business Services, said: "We are invested in the future of several of the Middle East region’s smart city projects. We are also one of six strategic partners in Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority’s Dubai Smart City Accelerator."

"Our end-to-end approach means that we offer solutions across a wide spectrum – from government services, public services, smart parking, smart metering and many more. Our partnership with du combines our global expertise with local insights and experience to contribute to the development of Silicon Park that is set to become Dubai’s first smart city," he added.

Muammar Al Katheeri, the executive vice-president of Engineering and Smart City at Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority, said: "Silicon Park has been conceptualised to leverage smart technology that is central to its DNA. Comprising state-of-the-art infrastructure and amenities, Silicon Park is set to provide 60 smart services with an investment of Dh100 million ($27.2 million)."

"We are delighted with the attention to detail and high calibre of professionalism the du and Orange Business Services teams are delivering. Their commitment has brought us closer to making smart working & living a reality," he added.-TradeArabia News Service