Telecommunications group Qatar Ooredoo and Alfardan Properties Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to build 'Smart Living Homes' in Qatar.
Ooredoo Qatar CEO Sheikh Saud bin Nasser Al Thani and Alfardan Group President and CEO Omar Hussain Alfardan signed the MoU.
The signatories outlined the companies' intent to develop smart homes for the public over the next few months.
This is the first partnership for innovative smart home solutions in Qatar, and the agreement states that the first smart home will be available to view by the end of April 2015, officials said.
The smart homes will include appliances, lighting, heating, air conditioning, televisions, computers, entertainment audio and video systems and security that are capable of communicating with each other and can be controlled from any room in the house, as well as remotely from any location in the world by phone or Internet, officials said.
Sheikh Saud Bin Nasser Al Thani said, "With technology moving forward daily, our lifestyles are rapidly integrating with our smart devices. Smart living development is the future, and we are excited to be able to work on such a truly innovative project with Alfardan Properties." Omar Hussain Alfardan said, "The MoU with Ooredoo demonstrates our commitment to offer the latest advanced technological services to our tenants and luxury living solutions. We are confident that Ooredoo's 'Smart Homes' will add value to their experience. We are looking forward to offering this highly innovative service to our residents." As per the agreement, Alfardan Properties will provide a suitable property for the smart home, while Ooredoo will provide top technology and connectivity on its bigger, faster network from within their range of smart solutions for the home, enabling businesses and the public to view their portfolio and strengthen their position as a top ICT solutions provider.