Motorola and du implement mobile WiMAX network for Dubai Metro

DUBAI, UAE: Motorola Inc. announced its Home & Networks Mobility business has joined forces with UAE telecom provider, du, in the successful launch of Dubai Metro's mobile WiMAX network.

Motorola's WiMAX equipment provides mobile connectivity and effective backhaul for Wi-Fi traffic on the Dubai Metro transport system train carriages as well as in the Metro stations.

The Dubai Metro will be the longest fully automated rail transport system in the world. The Red Line, which is 52km long, is already functional and is expected to be followed by the Green line in early 2010. Once completed, the Metro will have 47 stations, four of which will be underground.

With the implementation of Motorola's WiMAX network, du offers its customers wireless Internet access whilst travelling on the metro at speeds of up to 90km/hr using PDAs or laptops via Wi-Fi services.

"Offering city-wide internet access on the Dubai Metro is part of ongoing efforts to ensure our customers enjoy the convenience of exceptional connectivity, on-demand, wherever they travel. We are delighted to partner with industry-leader Motorola on this initiative to provide a first-rate WiMAX network which benefits the thousands of commuters using the Dubai Metro," said Hatem Bamatraf, Senior Vice President, Network Development, du.

The WiMAX deployment is the first truly mobile WiMAX network in the UAE. "This project reaffirms Motorola's longstanding reputation for undertaking major technology advancements and working with leading organizations," said Ali Amer, vice president, Middle East, Africa and Pakistan, Motorola Home & Networks Mobility. "With our WiMAX technology, du will provide its customers with high-speed wireless service and all the benefits of real-time information-exchange on the go."

The Dubai Metro WiMAX initiative is part of Motorola's strategy to provide world class WiMAX technologies, solutions, and services to leading regional and global telecom operators. The deployment of the network included network design, installation and optimization. The Motorola WiMAX equipment ensures peak performance of nomadic data services to mobile customers across the Dubai Metro system.