DOHA, Qatar, April 24, 2008 - Cisco announced today that the United Development Co. (UDC) of Qatar has selected it to help create a world-class digital island, The Pearl-Qatar. The QR55 billion (US$15 billion) island, which is expected to host more than 41,000 regional and international residents by 2011, will utilize Cisco® technology and service solutions that will help enable high-quality end-user experiences. Mannai Corporation, a Cisco Gold Certified Partner, will be handling the supply, installation and testing of the telecommunications network solution.
The deployment of an infrastructure based on Cisco technology entails the design of a network that will help provide residents with differentiated and customizable services anytime, anywhere and to virtually any device. These include wired and wireless home networking, high-speed connectivity and IPTV services.
UDC will also deploy the Cisco Connected Real Estate solution, a multi-service Internet Protocol (IP) platform and network framework that integrates multiple technologies and allows for the convergence of data, voice and video simultaneously.
Eric Lebrun, executive vice president of assets management at The Pearl-Qatar, said: "This iconic island is set to completely revolutionize Qatar's landscape, and is part of the country's ambitious plans to provide a new generation of high-bandwidth services to both residents and visitors alike. We are building one of the world's smartest developments that will redefine smart living on a global level."
Lebrun continued: "We have chosen to work with Cisco as we are confident that our strategic collaboration will enable not just end-to-end connectivity, but also create world-class experiences through changing the way that people interact with content, services and each other, in a highly secure way."
Keith Higley, managing director of Mannai Corp., said: "Mannai Corporation has always been dedicated to helping its customers achieve significant returns through deploying leading edge technologies. By working closely with industry leaders, like Cisco, we will be providing The Pearl-Qatar with a fast, reliable and secure infrastructure that will create a world-class interactive environment for residents."
Sam Alkharrat, managing director of Cisco Gulf and Pakistan, said: "Today's announcement is a major step forward in accelerating the adoption of technology solutions by harnessing two of Cisco's major capabilities: networking and Connected Real Estate solutions. This project will attract residents from across the globe and spark additional foreign investments while greatly benefiting the operators, owners and tenants of the island."
The Cisco Connected Real Estate initiative, which was developed in the Gulf region and quickly became a globally replicable model, has the potential to play a major role in transforming real estate developments in emerging economies.
The collaboration between Cisco and UDC was announced during Cisco Expo Qatar, a technology forum that attracted more than 350 of Qatar's top business and technology decision makers to share ideas and best practices.
The Pearl-Qatar is the largest island in Qatar's waters. During the two-year land reclamation process, 4 million square meters of new land were created with a 32-kilometer shoreline, three coves and navigable canals in addition to numerous other features.
A jewel in the Arabian Gulf, The Pearl-Qatar is the country's first international urban development. It will be home to approximately 41,000 residents in more than 15,000 dwellings within 10 precincts by 2011.
About The Pearl Qatar
The Pearl-Qatar is a multi-billion dollar offshore, Riviera-style man-made island, covering 985 acres of reclaimed land with an estimated cost of QR55 billion. It is Qatar's first international real estate venture, one of the largest real estate developments in the country and the first to offer freehold and residential rights to international investors. It will create over 32 kilometers of new coastline.
The four-phase development comprises 10 distinct districts to be developed over a period of five years. The Riviera Arabia themed districts will house three luxury hotels, two boutique hotels, three marinas with combined mooring for over 1004 boats, and more than 2 million square feet of luxury retail, recreation and restaurant space.
