The Centre has officially announced its partnership with Telematics Networking & Communications LLC, in its rollout of Smart Wi-Fi across its entire fleet of taxi’s in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Passengers riding the Centre’s fleet of taxis in Abu Dhabi will enjoy a free Smart Wi-Fi service while on board, the largest and most innovative of its kind in the world. The rollout of the service will begin in November this year and is expected to be completed across the Centre’s entire fleet by mid 2017.

At Gitex Technology Week, Jamal Al Nuaimi, General Manager of Etisalat, Abu Dhabi and Esam Al Mazroei, Vice Chairman of Telematics signed a five-year partnership agreement today. As part of the agreement, Etisalat, whose world-class network will power the high speed and secure Smart Wi-Fi service, will deliver its network services and sophisticated M2M platform – M2M control centre for the largest connected car platform in the region to Telematics, which will be deployed across the entire Abu Dhabi taxi fleet.

Telematics, together with its partner BlueGreen, have worked closely with the Centre to design this bespoke Smart Wi-Fi service, which, in addition to providing a secure and robust Wi-Fi network to passengers, will also offer Abu Dhabi, and indeed the UAE, the biggest mobile media service within taxis. The Wi-Fi service can be used to deliver smart value-added services, such as customer communication, satisfaction surveys, government citizen polls, as well as allowing businesses and brands the ability to gainfully engage with their consumers without any friction.

Speaking of this key initiative, Mr Mohammad Al Qamzi, General Manager of The Centre for Regulation of Transport by Hire Cars said, “The Centre is constantly striving to enhance the passenger experience it delivers in its taxis. We are pleased to partner with Telematics and BlueGreen to bring this world-class Smart Wi-Fi service to our passengers, who can now avail of constant connectivity in our taxis for free, and also enjoy the bespoke value-added services it will deliver. We are confident this service will enhance passenger satisfaction and happiness, and thereby increase the use of our excellent public taxi service in Abu Dhabi.”

On the occasion of the launch of the Smart Wi-Fi service, Jamal Saeed Al Nuaimi, General Manager of Etisalat- Abu Dhabi, said “UAE has always led the way in the region and globally to launch and implement smart technologies and services that make an impact in the way of life for residents in the country. Etisalat is today spearheading UAE’s smart city and digital transformation journey. We are proud to be associated with this strategic project that is a global first. This is set to transform the digital experience of passengers in Abu Dhabi taxis, and I am sure will set the benchmark for Smart Taxi services across the UAE.”

In line with its smart city solution portfolio, Telematics worked eagerly on this initiative to support “the visionary leadership of the UAE in its efforts to create innovative and world-class technological services that pave the way for building a knowledge-driven society,” said Esam Al Mazroei, Vice Chairman of Telematics. “We are very proud to be the key partner in this project, especially as a local technology company that strives to innovate in local and global markets.”

As announced in late September, the rollout will begin with Airport taxis and the Mercedes Vito Compact vans.