During GITEX 2024, du is showcasing multiple technologies including 5G, artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), machine learning (ML), and robotics. To share more details on their participation this year, du CEO, Fahad Al Hassawi, spoke exclusively with Telecom Review.
du has successfully transitioned from being a connectivity provider to an integrated digital enabler. What are the key factors supporting this journey?
du has successfully transitioned from a connectivity provider to an integrated digital enabler, thanks to our strategic shift towards offering a comprehensive suite of digital services. With our sub-brands—du Tech, du Business, and du Infra—we are addressing the diverse needs of modern enterprises, from government sectors and established companies to startups.
Our services include data center, hybrid cloud, cybersecurity, IoT, and AI solutions, and blockchain technologies. The backbone of this transformation is our advanced 5G network, which enhances business productivity and agility. Our commitment to this new direction aims to drive and support the UAE's ambitions by providing sustainable, secure, and efficient digital solutions.
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From a leader’s perspective, how will AI continue to transform business strategies and create new growth opportunities for telcos, SMEs, and governments?
du supports the government sector by promoting digital advancements to enhance the delivery of public services, citizen interaction, and the establishment of intelligent urban environments. This is done through continuous connectivity and the use of artificial intelligence-based applications. Leveraging cutting-edge 5G and fiber optical networks, du provides consistent, high-speed connectivity that is crucial for both small and large businesses as well as government functions.
du's specialized digital solutions aim to increase efficiency and growth potential, and facilitate the digital evolution of diverse industry sectors, while paying special attention to those that are fundamental to security and productivity. Our recent partnership with Oracle to integrate Oracle Alloy will provide sovereign cloud solutions along with AI GPU-as-a-Service (GPUaaS).
Moreover, our state-of-the-art data centers are being designed with AI-workload consumption in mind to support the country as it transitions into an AI-driven digital economy. Agritech is one of the key areas where we are building an AI-powered IoT platform to enable an agricultural marketplace, bolstered by advanced technologies, to bring food security and agricultural technology to life. AI in industries is also an area where we are actively involved. We are fully automating factories through the use of advanced robotics.
To cater to smaller enterprises, du delivers services that encourage development and cooperation, with a strong focus on digital marketing and connectivity to keep them competitive. du's range of services includes Enterprise Plus for efficient operations, Care Connect for constant network supervision, Enterprise API for smooth digital interactions, a private 5G network to ensure secure connections, cybersecurity measures to safeguard data, and Cloud Access solutions that assist in digital progression.
The UAE is an ever-evolving smart nation. How will du leverage its position as a leading telco based in the UAE to continue contributing to the nation’s progress?
du plays a pivotal role in advancing the UAE's digital infrastructure with substantial investments in 5G and state-of-the-art technologies. This progress is essential for enhancing connectivity, which is key for the Internet of Things (IoT) and other technological advancements. By focusing on technological integration in essential services such as transportation and public safety, du is improving urban living by employing technologies that may include smart traffic systems, while also minimizing the focus on direct smart city development.
By integrating AI, du is improving service quality and efficiency, leading the way for AI use across UAE industries. This includes applications like predictive maintenance and automated customer service, reinforcing du's contributions to the nation's technological advancement.
du's partnerships with the UAE government and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) demonstrates its commitment to advancing the nation's goals. By aiding SMEs in adopting digital solutions and supporting the UAE's Vision 2030 goals of sustainability and economic diversification, du stimulates innovation and economic growth.
Furthermore, du is helping to build a skilled workforce with the necessary digital competencies through educational initiatives in AI, cybersecurity, and data analytics.
What makes this year’s GITEX different to previous years? What is du highlighting at the 2024 show?
Under the theme, “Global Collaboration to Forge the Future AI Economy,” du is showcasing multiple technologies including 5G, artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), machine learning (ML), and robotics. These are practical applications designed to elevate sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, retail, and governmental services to unprecedented levels of efficiency and innovation.
Our main highlight (which is a first-ever for an event like GITEX) is our showcase of our Dark Warehouse—which encompasses a fully automated packing line that is fully automated with a number of robots, along with ASRS—to demonstrate the future of work in industries.
In agriculture, we have observed a leap towards precision farming through autonomous robots and IoT technologies, indicating the need for smarter, sustainable farming. There are also multiple manufacturing and retail benefits associated with transformative technologies such as humanoid robots, automated systems, and AI- and IoT-equipped smart trollies.
For government and public services, the implementation of hyperscale cloud services, AI GPU-as-a-Service, and data sovereignty-centric data centers underscores a move towards secure, scalable, and sustainable data management practices.
In one sentence, why is du considered to be among the top tech pioneers in the industry, and what is to come in 2025?
du is recognized as a tech pioneer as its focus is on supporting the technological advancement of the country; we are not just a connectivity provider anymore due to our strategic focus on innovation, customer value, and sustainable growth, which is underpinned by significant enhancements in network coverage, IT and network transformation, and the introduction of innovative products, which will amplify revenue, profitability, and subscriber expansion in 2025.
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