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29 March 2024

Dubai to get 300 free Wi-Fi spots across emirate by year-end

Apart from covering most of Manila, the project will include sites in Metro Manila, Cebu and Davao, as well as other cities. (Shutterstock)

Published
By Joseph George

Dubai has become the first city in the region to offer free Wi-Fi connection to its residents.

Telecom provider Du has announced that it is rolling out the free service in select public areas to start with.

The company has targeted to expand the Wi-Fi facility to 300 locations across Dubai by the end of the year.

Known as WiFi UAE, the programme gives users two options to choose from, Wi-Fi and Premium WiFi, which can be accessed from any WiFi-enabled device and a UAE mobile number.

This includes smartphones, laptops, tablets, gaming devices and more.

With the free Wi-Fi option, users can access the internet, browse emails and use their social applications free of charge, at restricted speeds.

Du has launched a launch promo for the Premium Wi-Fi, where by paying Dh20 users can avail of 6 hours of high speed internet valid for three days and 20 hours and across seven days for Dh50.

Users also have an option to top up their plans with additional hours.

Both options will enable customers to access government websites and applications at unrestricted speed.

“Providing fast and complimentary access to all government websites and apps and focusing on maintaining the reliability and safety of the services has been our main focus in implementing Wi-Fi UAE infrastructure,” said Osman Sultan, Chief Executive Officer, du.

“Our ultimate aim is the enablement of a new and better lifestyle for the residents through providing them a world of convenience, empowerment and innovative services,” he added.

In April 2013, Emirates24|7 had reported free Wi-Fi could be a reality soon. Rabih Dabboussi, Managing Director, Cisco Middle East, had then said that citywide Wi-Fi across major cities in the Middle East, especially Dubai and Abu Dhabi, could soon become a reality.

Free Wi-Fi in the UAE: Coming soon?

There has been consistent pressure on governments in India to offer free Wi-Fi, especially after the ruling Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi made it one of their key rallying point during the campaign.

A recent report also said that the government in India was working towards rolling out free high-speed Wi-Fi in 2,500 cities and towns across the country in co-ordination with state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL).

A similar initiative is on in the Philippines where several cities are expected to get free Wi-F access before the end of the year.

According to reports, the service will be implemented by the Department of Science and Technology's Information and Communications Technology Office (DOST-ICTO) at a cost of 1.4 billion pisos. Apart from covering most of Manila, the project will include sites in Metro Manila, Cebu and Davao, as well as other cities.

(Image via Shutterstock)