Dubai Silicon Oasis the First Free Zone to Offer Free Wi-Fi throughout Hi-tech Park

• Technology Park to Offer Free Wi-Fi to its Visitors, Tenants & Residents

• Implementation In-line with Leadership's Vision to Transform Dubai into Smart City

Dubai-UAE: December 17, 2013 - Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA), the regulatory body for Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), today signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with EmiratesWi-Fi for the implementation of wireless internet throughout the integrated free zone technology park.

The move marks the free zone's first step towards turning Dubai Silicon Oasis into a smart city in accordance with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. As a key player in realizing the leadership's vision of shaping Dubai into a smart city, DSO is working towards integrating best innovative solutions that facilitate the transformation.

The agreement was signed at the DSO headquarters by Eng. Muammar Al Katheeri, Executive Vice-President of Engineering Management at DSOA, and Eng. Maher Al Zarooni, Chief Executive Officer, EmiratesWifi.

Under DSOA's agreement with EmiratesWifi, the project will be implemented in two phases. Phase one will ensure the deployment in the commercial buildings, facilities and headquarters of Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority by January 2014. Following the completion of the second phase in Q2 2014, DSO will become the first free zone in Dubai to deploy 24/7 free wireless internet throughout the 7.2 square kilometers technology park.

The MoU mandates EmiratesWifi to install, commission, and maintain the wireless infrastructure and access points, as well as provide support with software solutions for control over the bandwidth of the service that will cover all public areas in Dubai Silicon Oasis.

Eng. Muammar Al Katheeri, Executive Vice-President of Engineering Management at DSOA, said: "It is essential that a free zone such as Dubai Silicon Oasis plays a leading role in contributing towards the vision of our leadership. DSO's state-of-the-art infrastructure offers an advantage that facilitates such integration. We are confident that EmiratesWifi will deliver the best technology solutions within the agreed timeline."

Eng. Maher Al Zarooni said: "We are happy to have been chosen by Dubai Silicon Oasis for this deployment. We are confident that DSO will benefit from our innovative solutions and the level of our service that will remain scalable to keep up with sophisticated technological advances and network expansion as required."

A wholly-owned entity of the Dubai government, Dubai Silicon Oasis operates as a free zone technology park for the semiconductor, microelectronic and other high technology-based companies looking to set up their regional headquarters, as well as research and development facilities in the Middle East and North Africa region.