Professional Communication Corporation, Nedaa, a government corporation specialising in the deployment of wireless communications technologies for Dubai, and the Finnish multinational ICT giant, Nokia, have forged a strategic partnership to establish an Innovation and Creativity Laboratory in Dubai.

Set to open by the first half of 2017 at Dubai’s Internet City, the laboratory will have Nokia’s advanced technologies, including its proprietary Intelligent Management Platform for All Connected Things, IMPACT, and next-generation radio systems. The technology solutions to be unraveled by the laboratory will cover the domains of IoT Platforms and Applications, Next-Generation Internet Protocol, IP, and Wireless Connectivity, Security, and Big Data and Analytics.

The laboratory will support ongoing efforts to transform Dubai into a ‘Smart City’ under the directives of Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Saeed bin Abed, CEO of Nedaa, and Rajeev Suri, President and CEO of Nokia, recently met to outline the details of their partnership and how it will impact Dubai’s government agencies, the Smart Dubai project, universities, educational and healthcare institutions, and private companies involved in Smart City applications, among other key beneficiaries.

Also in attendance were Nedaa’s Deputy CEO and General-Manager of Esharah Etisalat Security Solutions, Mansoor Bu Osaiba, Director of Commercial Affairs, Abdulla Al Falasi, and Chief Technical Officer, Yousif Al Ali.

"Our alliance with Nokia and the support of our trusted partner Esharah Etisalat Security Solutions will enable us to explore innovative and world-class tools and practices for hastening Dubai’s smart transformation without compromising on quality. This is indeed a watershed moment in Dubai’s efforts to harness technology to ensure the prosperity and peace of its people," said bin Abed.

"We take great pride in the work we have done with Nedaa to enhance Dubai’s communications landscape. By teaming up with one of the world’s esteemed ICT authorities, Nedaa is taking the emirate several steps closer to making its ‘smart’ visions come true," added Bu Osaiba. "We are very optimistic about the directions this partnership will take and the Innovation and Creativity Lab’s pivotal role as a seedbed for the future of the Internet of Things and other smart elements in Dubai."

Amr El-Leithy, Head of Middle East and Africa, Nokia, said, "Continuing our long-term, progressive relationship with the government of Dubai, we are excited to announce this joint initiative. This is yet another milestone in our journey with the Dubai Government to accelerate the implementation of IoT and smart city applications that will further contribute to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's vision to make Dubai the happiest city on earth."