Du to provide free Wi-Fi in Dubai and Abu Dhabi

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) fixed line and mobile operator Du has announced plans to set up 5,000 Wi-Fi hotspots at 100 separate locations in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The rollouts form part of the UAE’s ‘Smart City’ initiatives, Gulf News writes. Access to government-endorsed sites will be free of charge, while users will also be able to gain free access at low bandwidth, or can pay for a premium service with a faster download rate. Areas to be covered in Dubai include public parks and beaches, as well as public transport routes covered by the Metro and tram systems. Du says it is already offering free Wi-Fi services in parts of Dubai, including the Downtown Dubai area.