Dubai Is Set to Be the World Leader in the Internet of Things Industry

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by Zhanna Lyasota · 3 min read
Dubai Is Set to Be the World Leader in the Internet of Things Industry
Hosted by Cisco, the 2015 Internet of Things World Forum is the premier leadership forum in this rapidly growing industry, a must-attend event for key stakeholders and innovators who are driving IoT adoption worldwide. Photo: David James/Flickr

Dubai is set to achieve the status of being one of the smartest cities in the world in the next three years.

According to experts at the Cisco IOT World Forum 2015 being held in Dubai on December 6-8, Dubai is set to gain the status of being one of the smartest cities in the world in the next three years.

Dubai is keeping pace with the latest technological advancements and the momentum created by various public and private organizations towards creating smart solutions and integrating IOT in users’ daily lives, the Dubai Police, the Dubai Municipality or the Roads and Transport Authority, has made the emirate a key contender to march ahead of the rest of the world cities.

Speaking during the Keynote sessions at the IOT World Forum, hosted by Dubai Media Office, Anil Menon, Global head of Cisco’s Smart+Connected Communities Business, stated that Dubai would go on to get the status and attribute this to the visionary leadership in the emirate.

“We have witnessed a massive development during the past years and within a short span of time. At the pace at which the emirate is moving forward I won’t be surprised if Dubai goes on to become the smartest city in the world in the next three years,” he said.

Mr. Menon expressed his opinion that referring to various initiatives including the $300 billion set aside for the development of technology and science IOT could be the answer to many global problems including reducing poverty, healthcare and growing urbanization.

“It is ultimately about people being happy. We are not doing it for the sake of technology but for the sake of people,” said Ahmad Zulfar, telecom provider Etisalat CEO, meaning that telecommunications companies would play a crucial role in this development.

According to Mr. Zulfar, there is the highest penetration of 4G today in the UAE and the next level is to expand into the IOT sphere. Within Mena alone cellular connection will increase 500 per cent, while IOT devices is set to go up from 12 billion to 50 billion in five years.

“We are part of a big value chain. We are seen as trusted partners, enabling the government and various other stakeholders to move towards a truly connected world,” he added. “Telecom sector needs to restructure. In the future, a market with five, six or seven operators will not be sustainable. There could be a maximum of 2 or 3 operator per market. There will be a rise of 5 to 10 global operators, 20 to 50 regional operators and 50 to 100 local operators.”

While IOT is changing the way society moves forward, experts gathered at the forum feel that much more can be done in managing the growing urbanization, environmental problems and healthcare.

The world could witness 40 to 80 billion connected objects by 2020. Smartphone is going to become the central connecting hub to various devices even as every human beings will be connected to ten different objects. Analysts estimate that the revenue potential in IOT is between $1.2 trillion to $13.3 trillion and the most significant investments will go into civic management, healthcare, education etc.

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