Work on two Expo 2020 Dubai Etisalat hubs completed

Phase 1 construction of two Etisalat hubs that will provide connectivity services to the 25 million people expected to visit Expo 2020 Dubai has been completed.

Telecoms operator Etisalat lauded the “major milestone” after finishing Phase 1 construction of two point of presence (PoP) access points, which will allow users to connect to the internet at Expo 2020 Dubai.

Construction of the two PoPs is set for completion by the end of 2018.

Etisalat said the two access points would provide telecomms services to residents living in the south of Dubai once the expo is completed

The advanced digital infrastructure will provide a full range of mobile services capable of handling the high-speed demands of 300,000 expo visitors per day.

Rolling out sophisticated digital infrastructure is critical for Expo 2020 Dubai, said senior vice president of Innovation and Future Technologies at Expo 2020 Dubai, Mohammed Alhashmi.

He called the completion of Phase 1's construction “an important milestone” that would pave the way for a digital network capable of connecting the expo to the world.

Etisalat’s senior vice president of network development, Esmaeel Alhammadi, said the milestone was significant, adding: "This is in line with the country’s objectives of achieving digital transformation with the deployment of best-in-class technology and infrastructure to provide advanced services to all customers and visitors at this global event.

“Etisalat will continue to work closely with the Expo 2020 team in enabling digital innovation to make sure that all visitors will enjoy a seamless experience on their digital journey at the global event."

Etisalat construction milestone at Expo 2020 Dubai is just one of several major advancements at the site of one of the world’s most ambitious construction projects under way today.

In May, Dubai Investments subsidiary Emirates District Cooling(Emicool) won a contract to develop a district cooling plant for the expo site.

It will serve the Expo Village and Dubai South Mall, as well as the Conference and Exhibition Centre at the Expo site, the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) station, and the Project Star mall area.

New Zealand recently revealed its concept design for its pavilion, inspired by the country’s protection of its people and territory.

Several days before this, in April, Luxembourg became the first of 180 foreign countries participating at Expo 2020 Dubai to break ground on its pavilion.

Deputy Prime Minister Etienne Schneider held an official ground-breaking ceremony at the site.

Around one month ago it was revealed that projects worth $42.5bn(AED156bn) were being constructed in the UAE in preparation for Expo 2020 Dubai.