Local telecoms operator Du has signed two contracts with Dubai government entities to supply wireless internet around the emirate as part of its smart city initiative.

Under the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed on 13 October with the Higher Committee for Smart Dubai Initiative, wifi coverage from Du will be available in public areas such as shopping malls, public transport and within urban areas.

Users will be given three usage options ranging from free to paid. However, government services will be accessible free of charge via public wifi hotspots. Full details on the three planned packages and the locations of the wifi hotspots have yet to be announced.

Aisha bin Bishr, assistant director of the executive office of Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, and a member of the Executive Committee of Smart Dubai Initiative, said connectivity was a vital part of the emirate’s smart city plans. “Having a strong wifi service across all public areas will significantly contribute to Dubai becoming the world’s smartest city, which is a goal we are aiming for,” she said.

On 12 October, Du signed an MoU with the Dubai Municipality to provide wifi services in its main office, along with several parks and beaches, including Zabeel Park, Creek Park, Mushrif Park, Mamzar Beach and Park, Jumeirah Beaches 1, 2 and 3, and Umm Suqeim Beaches 1 and 2. Customer service centres in Al-Twar, Al-Manara and Hatta were also included in the deal.

Dubai is pushing ahead with several smart city initiatives. In September, Maher Shirah, smart city mobility programme director at the emirate’s Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), told MEED’s Smart Cities conference that the government department was planning 22 initiatives, including around smart taxis, smart buses, smart rail and smart parking.