Dubai is all set to get unbelievably cooler. Soon, high speed Wi-Fi will be available across the city. Yes, the entire city will become your Wi-fi playground. The move is part of the Smart City project that was launched by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of UAE and ruler of Dubai (yeah, we are talking about the same guy).

Really? Free Wi-Fi all over the city?

• Yes. The aim is to provide all Dubai residents free high-speed Wi-fi. Hold your smartphone in the direction of a retail store and get information about all the special offers there.
• Point the phone towards the Burj Khalifa, and get to know when it was constructed, what services it offers, et all.
• Whats more, all government departments will be inter-connected ensuring faster service to citizens and tourists.

What the authorities promise:

The cool Shaikh Mohammed has over the past 10 years striven to make Dubai more technology-savvy. He is the chap who has been trying to make all government services digital and make them available on smartphones. About the project, he said:

“The project aims to provide all Dubai residents with high-speed Internet in public places and live services and information […] Creating an international city model and a new bettered reality for our people is our purpose.”

How it will be done:

The project will make use of cloud computing, and wireless and near field communication (NFC) technology. Remote sensor devices would be installed in prominent areas of the city, and information on various significant sectors such as health, transport, weather, etc. would be compiled and made easily available. This sheikh guy seems no less than genie out of Aladdin’s chirag.

After-effects:

Dubai might soon become one of the most sought-after destinations to work, or holiday in, or live. Period.