News

Dubai Starts App Development Program To Train 1,000 Emiratis

The scheme, called “Create Apps in Dubai” should triple the number of app creators by 2025.

Published

2 years ago

March 30, 2023

Nour Nasir

dubai starts app development program to train 1000 emiratis

Emirates News Agency

On Wednesday, Dubai’s Crown Prince, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, launched a new ecosystem for developing digital applications and growing the pool of local talent within the emirate.

The scheme, known as Create Apps in Dubai, aims to transform Dubai into one of the world’s “most attractive destinations” for business opportunities. By 2025, the program should also have trained over 1,000 Emiratis and tripled the number of app creators. Additionally, 100 new national app projects will become available in digital stores over the next two years.

create apps in dubai event chamber for digital economy

“The exponential growth of digital applications and platforms has created a new global competition for technological leadership. Dubai seeks to be at the forefront of this global race by providing a platform for fostering the development of 1,000 highly-skilled UAE nationals whose ideas and innovation will create a vibrant applications sector in Dubai,” says Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai.

Dubai is seeking to solidify its position as a global capital of the digital economy, with the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) plan preparing to help 30 private companies achieve $1 billion in value.

Also Read: ChatGPT Is Accelerating The AI Revolution In The Middle East

With global smartphone sales exceeding $448 billion and 2 million new apps and games created in 2021 alone, the sector represents a massive opportunity for investors, entrepreneurs and tech startups to thrive.

Create Apps in Dubai will be overseen by the Dubai Chamber for Digital Economy, and support development plans to “empower UAE citizens to play key roles in realizing the country’s digital vision”, a recent statement said.

The UAE’s digital economy will be worth $140 billion by 2031, up from nearly $38 billion, according to recent figures from the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy.

News

Viasat Satellite Messaging Tech Showcased In Saudi Arabia

The direct-to-device (D2D) demonstration highlighted the technology’s potential to revolutionize remote communication.

Published

4 days ago

November 28, 2024

Nour Nasir

viasat satellite messaging tech showcased in saudi arabia

Satellite communications firm Viasat announced yesterday that it had completed its first demonstration of direct-to-device (D2D) satellite connectivity technology in Saudi Arabia. The live broadcast took place during the “Connecting the World from the Skies” event in Riyadh, organized by Saudi Arabia’s Communications, Space & Technology Commission (CST) alongside the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

Attendees witnessed successful satellite-based two-way messaging and SOS alerts sent using commercial Android smartphones and a combination of Viasat’s robust L-band satellite network and the Bullitt over-the-top messaging app. Signals were transmitted using the company’s L-band spacecraft positioned over the Indian Ocean, while the infrastructure for 3GPP NTN services was deployed by Viasat’s partner Skylo.

Sandeep Moorthy, Viasat’s Chief Technical Officer, emphasized the significance of the demonstration, explaining, “By expanding our direct-to-device innovation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, we’re showcasing the potential for D2D services in the fast-growing Gulf and Asia-Pacific region. D2D could help reduce barriers to connectivity in regions where terrestrial services are spotty and unavailable to help transform industries and supply chains, enable new opportunities, and to become more efficient, sustainable and safer. We’d like to thank the CST for their support in carrying out this exciting demonstration”.

Also Read: Joby Begins Construction Of Dubai’s First Vertiport For Air Taxis

D2D technology allows devices like smartphones, vehicles, and industrial equipment to connect seamlessly to both satellite and terrestrial networks. Unlike traditional satellite setups, D2D eliminates the need for extra hardware, thanks to emerging global standards that are gaining traction among satellite operators, mobile network providers, and tech manufacturers.

What makes this approach particularly promising is that Viasat uses a licensed, dedicated satellite spectrum to deliver its D2D services. This avoids any interference with existing terrestrial networks, allowing smooth integration with mobile network operators in the future.

The demonstration clearly showed the potential of D2D technology to bridge connectivity gaps in remote regions while opening up opportunities for innovation, improved safety, sustainability, and efficiency.