Nations are making strides towards life in the Networked Society to promote sustainability and the Middle East is part of it. Dubai is well on its way to becoming a Smart City, and countries like Turkey and Lebanon are investing in 5G use cases.
According to the United Nations, the global population is expected to exceed 9 billion by 2050—with roughly 70 percent of people living in cities, meaning that need to create more self-sufficient and sustainable cities is vital. Ericsson predicts that there will be 26 billion connected devices around the world by 2020. This rapid uptake of broadband and ICT has the potential to significantly counteract the economic, environmental, and social challenges that we will face in the future. .The Networked Society; where connectivity and technologies such as big data, cloud technology, smart grids, and the Internet of Things (IoT) prevail, can enable the sustainable cities of the future.
In the Networked Society, near-ubiquitous connectivity, mobility, big data, 3D printing, robotics, and cloud technologies all converge to establish true sustainability. Globally, with as many mobile subscriptions as there are people and with around 45 percent of these associated with smartphones, the amount of data being created and consumed is increasing rapidly. Meanwhile, IoT will comprise 26 billion connected devices by 2020, adding to this increase.
And in the Middle East, due to a young and growing population, rising GDP, and a 113 percent smartphone penetration rate, these same trends prevail. Across the region, smartphone subscriptions will nearly double by 2021 and mobile broadband subscriptions will quadruple. In the UAE, the world’s first fully-functioning 3D printed building was erected this year, and this progression is expected to continue. Moving forward, this vast number of connections around the world and the region will require that cities effectively develop their ICT maturity to transform urban lifestyles and economic prospects.
Although sustainability will not be achieved automatically through ICT transformation, it has the undeniable potential to help cities reduce their overall environmental footprint. Ericsson aims to advance society through sustainable development, with an understanding that ICT is a key driver of progress that positively impacts every sector of society. Ericsson’s goals for the future can enable sustainability with energy, environment, and climate solutions via ICT transformation, and by connecting the unconnected to achieve communication for all, and as a trusted partner in responsible business.
Ericsson is collaborating with multiple stakeholders to achieve the smart city vision. For example, by partnering with du in a Managed Services deal to improve Network Infrastructure for the Dubai Smart City vision, Ericsson is utilizing an imperative collaboration. In the wake of a successful ICT transformation achieved through optimized stakeholder engagement, Ericsson envisions a 15% reduction in global GHG emissions from ICT by 2030, with Smart Cities equipped with Smart transport, Smart buildings, Smart travel, Smart work, Smart agriculture and land use, Smart services and industry, and Smart grids (including Smart homes).
Source: Ericsson
