IfG.CC -
Institute for eGovernment

Both du and Alliance are committed to delivering exceptional connectivity solutions, and this Teaming Agreement represents a significant step towards that goal

du, from Emirates Integrated Telecommunication Company (EITC), and Alliance Networks W.L.L (ALLIANCE) are pleased to announce their collaboration through a Teaming Agreement aimed at providing seamless intra-regional high-capacity connectivity to potential third-party customers in the region.

Abhishek Sandhir, managing director, telecom – global at Sand Technologies, explains how the future of cities relies on connectivity, and looks at where to begin and how to prioritise in building better urban networks.

Telecoms technologies are transforming cities and communities by enabling connectivity, which is the foundation for so many critical services in our lives today. Whether it’s 4G, 5G, or fibre, the key is ensuring citizens are connected. When people are connected, they have better access to education, health, job opportunities, and even the ability to stay in touch with one another. Connectivity also underpins the various smart services a city can offer, but none of that is possible without reliable network infrastructure.

Many countries including the United Kingdom, Canada, and Japan are facing the problems of an ageing population and declining productivity, smart city has become their best solution.

Research institute IDC observes that among the five smart city projects that every nation focuses on, three are data related, namely data use, digital trust, and data-driven public safety, and these are closely related.

One of our core advocacies in Liveable Cities has been to promote increased connectivity in our cities. Improved internet access and digital inclusion stem from recognizing the profound impact that connectivity has on development and progress. In today’s world, digital access is fundamental—not just for communication but also for education, economic growth, and civic participation. When communities are connected, they gain access to knowledge, markets, and opportunities that were previously out of reach.

Conversely, those without digital access risk falling further behind. We’ve seen how strategic investments in digital infrastructure can transform cities and empower individuals. That understanding drives our passion to push for policies and initiatives that bridge the digital divide, ensuring equitable access for all.

Smart cities and smart city ideals are emerging as the bedrock of sustainable urban planning, offering high standards of living to residents. Smart mobility plays a central role in this emergence, delivering sustainable transportation and improving lives. Yet its success depends upon rapid, secure, reliable methods of connectivity.

Despite the expectations of the twentieth century, with the technological promise of The Jetsons, and the hit-and-miss prophecies of the BBC’s Tomorrow’s World, we’re not yet travelling around in flying cars or riding bicycles across bodies of water(1). Yet, with the accelerated rate of digitisation and the development of new technologies, some futuristic expectations are starting to crystallise on a citywide scale.

Professor Waverman is dean of the Haskayne School of Business at University of Calgary. Oh, and the scorecard is commissioned by Nokia Siemens Networks.

Brownsville in Texas has started deploying a private 5G network to turn the city into a technology hub and “reinvent human-to-digital interaction”.

The city will work with NTT DATA to roll out the network to enhance connectivity for residents and businesses, while resolving pain points for the city.