Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard goes wireless; free Wi-Fi now available for all visitors to Downtown Dubai

– Emaar Properties joins hands with du for new initiative that is in line with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed’s ‘smart city’ project
– Seamless online connectivity through the world’s most visited boulevard underlines Downtown Dubai as one of the city’s first smart lifestyle destinations

Dubai, UAE; November 16, 2013: Visitors to Downtown Dubai, the flagship mega-development of Emaar Properties described as ‘The Centre of Now,’ can now enjoy free wireless connectivity across the entire 3.5 km long Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, the bustling heart of the community.

Emaar has joined hands with du to offer visitors the free Wi-Fi connectivity. The initiative follows the ‘Smart City’ project announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, with the objective of providing all Dubai residents with high speed internet in public places and ‘live’ services and information.

Already operational, the Wi-Fi connectivity can be accessed for free by all visitors to Downtown Dubai along the Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, which is one of the definitive lifestyle destinations in the city that welcomed over 65 million visitors last year. With its art installations, entertainment activities, parades, food concepts, film screenings, music concerts, and access to iconic attractions in the city, Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard is today on par with and even surpasses other boulevards in the world.

Nasser Rafi, Chief Executive Officer of Emaar Malls Group, said: “His Highness Sheikh Mohammed’s ‘Smart City’ initiative for Dubai is an ambitious step forward that will further define Dubai as a global city that sets strong infrastructure fundamentals for the future. It will not only accelerate all-round economic growth but also adds to the lifestyle standards of our community, particularly the youth, who are actively engaged online for educational, social, and cultural interaction. Today, Downtown Dubai is the most-visited lifestyle destination in the city, and the introduction of free Wi-Fi service along Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard will add to the convenience of visitors.”

Osman Sultan, Chief Executive Officer of du, said: “Today’s announcement marks a definitive step towards realising the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed for Dubai as a progressive and global Smart City like no other. Achieving this vision is a collaborative effort; our role as a telecom company is to leverage technology to more convenience, more fun and more happiness for people, anytime, anywhere, in a more connected world. The investments we have made in a future-proof network infrastructure are designed to cater to the future needs of our customers and meet the aspirations of a Smart City at large.”

Elevating Downtown Dubai’s appeal as one of the first ‘smart’ integrated lifestyle destinations in the city, the new initiative will benefit both businesses and visitors. Tourists and residents can enjoy round-the-clock on-line connectivity for free while they pass through the boulevard, relax with family and friends along the Waterfront Promenade or at any of the F&B outlets. The business outlets stand to benefit by being able to network with customers through various social media networks and online platforms that can be readily accessed by all.

Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard connects Downtown Dubai’s iconic attractions including Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building; The Dubai Mall, the world’s largest shopping and entertainment destination with 1,200 retail outlets; and The Dubai Fountain, the world’s tallest performing fountain. It also links several shopping, hospitality, entertainment and dining attractions within the 500-acre community. In addition, the boulevard hosts spectacular events including the Downtown Dubai New Year’s Eve Parade and offers vintage views of the New Year’s Eve Gala, which had welcomed over 1.7 million visitors.

Emaar is currently developing The Opera District in Downtown Dubai, which will feature the Dubai Opera, a 2,000-seat multi-venue performing arts centre for opera, theatre, concerts, art exhibitions, orchestra, film and seasonal programmes, as well as luxury hotels, elegantly designed residential and serviced apartments, a retail plaza, waterfront promenades, recreational spaces and parks.

About Emaar Properties PJSC:
Emaar Properties PJSC, listed on the Dubai Financial Market, is a global property developer with a significant presence in the Middle East, North Africa and Asia. A provider of premium lifestyles through its world-class portfolio of integrated communities, the company also has proven competencies in shopping malls & retail, and hospitality & leisure. Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, and The Dubai Mall, the world’s largest shopping and entertainment destination, are among Emaar’s trophy developments.
Emaar is currently expanding The Dubai Mall’s Fashion Avenue by 1 million sq ft and also redefining the cultural scene of the city with The Opera District in Downtown Dubai, to feature the city’s first opera house and several art and design galleries. The company is partnering with Meraas Holding to develop Dubai Hills Estate, the first phase of Mohammed Bin Rashid City (MBR City). Emaar and Dubai Holding have also joined hands to develop a magnificent 1,500-acre mixed-use waterfront development within MBR City that draws inspiration from the Dubai Creek.

Among other mega-projects of Emaar is the King Abdullah Economic City in Saudi Arabia the region’s largest private sector-led project. Emaar is also the largest foreign direct investor in India’s real estate sector and its joint venture has a country-wide presence covering the residential, commercial, retail and hospitality sectors. www.emaar.com