Beyond connectivity: Du launches Idea Hub

dubai – Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company, the parent company of telecom operator du, on Monday announced launch of Idea Hub to expand beyond connectivity and into digital transformation to offer ICT solutions to public and private entities.

The Idea Hub’s ICT strategy is based on three pillars: smart cities, the Internet of Things and platform services with focus on blockchain, artificial intelligence and IoT. This will open a new source of revenues for the company.

Jihad Tayara, vice-president of business development and partnerships for new business and innovation at du, pointed out that ICT has been one of the fastest growing segments for the company. Built as a semi-modular facility, Idea Hub is designed to present latest technologies and real-life applications from EITC and its partners.

He said most telecom operators are now transforming and moving into this space. “We are moving away from core which are connectivity, mobile, fixed TV and broadband. We are trying to place ourselves as digital transformation partner... enabling government organisation and large enterprises across UAE to transform digitally.”

“Our vision is to become partner of choice for smart city solutions. You have seen us presenting ourselves as non-telco for enterprise solutions, IoT, smart city, AI, blockchain and digital advertising — all the new buzzswords that you’re hearing these days,” Tayara said at the launch.