A view from a live demo at Vodafone Qatar pavilion yesterday. Pic: Baher Amin / The Peninsula
Through an array of live high-tech demos, Vodafone Qatar yesterday showcased how it can help startups in Qatar to harness the power of connected technology and become ready for business. How intelligent platforms and smart solutions can transform the customer experience, the Internet of Things (IoT) can help manage waste and even transform the residential care experience, were some of the exciting experiences those were demonstrated by Vodafone Qatar’ at its QITCOM 2019 pavilion.
Vodafone Qatar’s expanse pavilion recreated a future smart city through five distinct zones. The various zones displayed at the “5G GigaNet City” included Smart City, Connected Retail, Smart Industry, Smart Home, and a 5G Arcade, complete with thematic booths. It demonstrated what impact will 5G have on IoT innovation and how will it create new ways of working in Qatar in an increasingly technology-driven world. The live demo explained how IoT is a critical component for the future of business in Qatar and powerful catalyst for digital transformation.
Sheikh Hamad Abdulla Jassim Al Thani, Vodafone Qatar Chief Executive Officer, said: “5G will enable a whole new generation for digital services capable of improving transportation, housing, healthcare, security, and connectivity across Qatar. 5G will unlock human potential and power breakthroughs for business that will fundamentally transform the way we live, and how and where we do business and how productive we can be at work. For this, we are investing heavily in rapidly rolling out 5G across the country to support Qatar’s ambitious plans to build an integrated digital society.”
Vodafone Qatar’s CEO, Sheikh Hamad Abdulla Jassim Al Thani (left) and the Chief Operating Officer of HIA Badr Mohammed Al Meer, after signing an MoU on the sidelines of QITCOM 2019, yesterday.
Vodafone Qatar’s smart solutions presented in the Smart City included is a 5G Autonomous Car featuring technologies such as Artificial Assistants for drivers and passengers, traffic analytics and NB-IoT based solutions such as smart waste management, smart water metering, smart parking and lighting solutions. Vodafone Qatar’s recently launched NB-IoT is a potential catalyst for companies to connect things everywhere anywhere unrestricted by limited connectivity.
The Connected Retail Zone showcased solutions that will transform customer experience and help stores and retailers to cut cost and ultimately increase revenues. Connected Industry Zone demonstrated how Vodafone’s 5 G capabilities in construction, manufacturing, oil and gas and other industries will be able to increase efficiency and productions. This was highlighted in Vodafone’s ‘5G Door to the Future’ showcase that demonstrated the benefits of instant communications via 5G. Smart Worker Bands for worker safety, and a 5G Industrial Drone for remote data gathering from dangerous locations, are some of the other innovations on display.
The Smart Home model offered visitors a glimpse into connected homes of the future. Smart plugs, water leakage, smoke detectors and smart bulbs, can all be accessed and controlled remotely by smartphones. The smart home technology also offer improved energy efficiency, comfort and home security.
