Dubai, January 11, 2008: du, the UAE's innovative telecom provider, today announced it had signed a strategic partnership with Al-Futtaim Technologies (AFTECH) which will lead to the roll-out of WiFi services in Dubai Festival City, the family-owned group’s flagship mixed-use waterfront development. The three-year agreement will see du pilot WiFi and develop a series of high tech applications with AFTECH focused initially on the Festival Centre, the shopping, dining and entertainment hub at the heart of Dubai Festival City. The pilot project, scheduled to last for three months, marks the first major expansion of WiFi in the emirates outside the free zones. Osman Sultan, Chief Executive Officer of du, said: “du’s partnership with Al-Futtaim Technologies highlights our constant focus to provide customers with round-the-clock access to our services. We encourage people to try out du WiFi at Dubai Festival City and experience the power of true mobility at their leisure.” For the three-month test phase free WiFi access will be provided at the Festival Centre and Festival Marina areas in Dubai Festival City. During this stage, du and AFTECH will test the new network and assess customer response. Vishesh Bhatia, Al-Futtaim’s Group Director for Technology, Engineering and Electronics, said: “We have signed an agreement with one of the most technologically advanced telecoms provider in the world to create high-tech solutions for a modern city and ‘tech savvy’ visitors. The technologies we are developing with du in Dubai Festival City will redefine customer experience and expectations.” Following the pilot stage, the service will be available for a nominal fee. Users will be able to access it through their du mobile, du self care username and password, credit card or any du recharge card. Later this year, roaming users will be able to access the du WiFi service with their home login details for a usage based fee. Tom Miles, Senior General Manager at Dubai Festival City said: “This is yet another innovation which will ensure Dubai Festival City leads the industry in terms of delivering a unique guest experience. The partnership between du and AFTECH will provide high tech services that are good for our guests, retailers and visitors to the Festival Centre, and Dubai Festival City. “We are creating something new and different.”

How to use du WiFi

 

1.      Switch on a WiFi capable device and a web browser

2.      Connects to the WiFi network, called ‘du wifi hotspot’, and launch the browser

3.      On the du WiFi landing page there are two tabs - ‘new user’ and ‘registered user’.

 

For new users:

·         On the ‘new user’ tab there is a very simple registration step that users need to go through.  The user needs to enter the name, mobile number and email address.

·         Accept ‘terms and conditions’.

·         Press ‘register’.

·         The landing page will then refresh and the user will be presented with a username and password that is valid for 7 days (the username and password is also emailed to the user for future logins).  The user will then need to press the ‘login directly’ button to log in and connect to the Internet. 

 

For previously registered users:

·         Select the ‘registered user’ tab on the landing page.

·         Enter existing username and password.

·         You are now connected to the Internet.

 

Note: Speed of the network depends on the number of users connected.  There is no reserved bandwidth and users share the du Internet connection.

What is WiFi?

WiFi is a term for certain types of wireless local area network (WLAN). The term WiFi was created by an organization called the WiFi Alliance, which oversees tests that certify product interoperability.

WiFi has gained acceptance in many businesses, agencies, schools, and homes as an alternative to a wired LAN. Many airports, hotels, and fast-food facilities offer public access to WiFi networks. These locations are known as ‘Hot Spots’.