Vodafone Qatar featured a host of next generation smart technology on Tuesday at its 1,000sq m pavilion at Qitcom 2019, slated to further draw more people to the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) until November 1.
Supporting Qitcom 2019 as Official Sponsor, Vodafone Qatar’s participation “brings to life its vision for a 5G GigaNet Society that will enable the country to become one of the most connected countries in the world,” according to a statement.
The pavilion, modelled to look like a real city, introduces to visitors a future smart city through an array of high-tech demos, each powered by Vodafone’s live 5G GigaNet network.
The Vodafone GigaNet 5G City is presented through five distinct zones: Smart City, Connected Retail, Smart Industry, Smart Home, and a 5G Arcade, complete with thematic booths.
Vodafone said 5G GigaNet is expected to unlock digital innovations that pave the way for a connected city in Qatar, integrated with cutting-edge technologies and smart solutions.
With key locations across Qatar now covered, Vodafone Qatar is leading 5G deployment and commercial availability in the country, the statement said. The company is also demonstrating industry-leading expertise in technologies being driven by 5G, such as Internet of Things (IoT) innovations, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR).
Vodafone Qatar CEO Sheikh Hamad Abdulla Jassim al-Thani said, “5G will enable a whole new generation of 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, 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 the country’s ambitious plans to build an integrated digital society.”
Vodafone Qatar’s intelligent platforms and smart solutions presented in the smart city zone “are the foundations for a connected, more efficient, and safer city.” Among them is a 5G autonomous car, featuring technologies such as Artificial Assistants for drivers and passengers.
The others also include Smart City Traffic Analytics and NB-IoT (Narrowband IoT) based solutions, such as Smart Waste Management, Smart Water Metering, and Smart Parking, and Smart Lighting solutions running on Vodafone’s recently launched NB-IoT network.
Vodafone said the NB-IoT is a potential catalyst for companies to connect things everywhere anywhere unrestricted by limited connectivity. Its Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) network technology is designed to enable and scale a wide range of IoT devices and services.
It is also showcasing solutions for Connected Retail that will transform customer experiences and help stores and retailers to ultimately increase revenues. Among them is a Vodafone Smart Fitting Room, presented in collaboration with Galeries Lafayette, with digital mirrors offering a digitalised customer experience. Using analytics captured, retailers can better understand smart room traffic and customer selections.
Connected Industry is another area that will be transformed by Vodafone’s 5G capabilities. Construction, manufacturing, oil and gas, and other industries will be able to increase efficiency and production, resulting in cost reduction.
This was highlighted in Vodafone’s ‘5G Door to the Future’ showcase that demonstrated the benefits of instant communications via 5G. The zone also includes a live 5G VR experience that highlights the use of VR for remote, instant communication using the highest data transmission quality, with a 360-degree virtual view of the iconic Msheireb Company House, which was once used as the headquarters for Qatar’s first oil company. 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 show.
A Smart Home model equipped with the latest smart technologies, many already available to subscribers of Vodafone GigaHome Smart, gives Qitcom visitors a glimpse into the connected homes of the future. Smart plugs, water leakage, and smoke detectors and smart bulbs can all be accessed and controlled remotely by customers through their smartphones. As well as the convenience it offers, Vodafone Qatar’s smart home technology can lead to improved energy efficiency, comfort, and home security.
Meanwhile, the 5G Arcade presents live AR, Cloud, and VR gaming experiences over Vodafone’s 5G network on 5G handsets and VR headsets. 5G technology provides a more reliable experience and ultra-low latency to enjoy gaming on the move, and without the need to purchase expensive hardware.
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