Dubai Internet City ( DIC ) (Arabic: ????????????? ? ?) is an information technology park created by the Dubai government as a free economic zone and a strategic base for companies targeting regional emerging markets. DIC's economic rules allow companies to capitalize on a number of proprietary, tax and customs benefits guaranteed by law for a period of 50 years. One operating model includes 100% foreign ownership, similar to those applicable in other designated economic zones in the United Arab Emirates. This freedom has led many global information technology companies, such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Google, Dell, Intel, Huawei, Samsung, SAP, Microsoft, IBM, Oracle Corporation, Tata Consultancy, 3M, Sun Microsystems, Cisco, HP, Nokia, Cognizant and Accenture, as well as UAE-based companies such as Ducont, to move their regional base to DIC. DIC is located adjacent to other industrial clusters such as Dubai Media City and Dubai Knowledge Village.
DIC currently has over one and a half million square feet of major commercial office space, where more than 1400 companies with more than 10,000 workers are based. There are 25 low, medium, and high office buildings in the area.
Video Dubai Internet City
Connectivity
On April 13, 2008, du (EITC) announces that all traffic will be transferred through UAE membership proxies that block access to any content deemed 'inappropriate'. du has previously blocked the VOIP service. While Dubai Internet City sells itself as a friendly business environment with excellent low cost connectivity, the reality is one of the highly censored internet at a price that is 5-10 times the price of connectivity in Europe or the United States. In addition to web page sensors, it's speculated that popular social networking services are blocked. Cheap calls to the UAE are unlikely because of the stoppage costs of around 17p UK, (about 30 cents US) per minute charged by the UAE phone network. Internet connectivity in Dubai is expensive; 10 Mbit/s home connection costs 299 AED per month (USD82/-). The minimum internet connectivity package available for businesses in DIC is a 2Mbit/s connection with a 6GB monthly limit of about 800 AEDs (180 USD). Bandwidth beyond the 6GB limit is charged at a pro-rated rate higher than the first 6GB.
UAE proxies can be bypassed by various methods including by setting up VPNs to connect securely to servers in other countries to reduce the number of Internet censors, with the advantage that UAE authorities can not 'peek' on traffic. While the UAE may block access to corporate websites that provide VPN services, it is possible to set up overseas accounts. Such options significantly reduce costs because VOIP systems can be used; for companies that need access to blocked services or content, VPN is a must.
Around 11:15 am on January 30, 2008, an anchor ship apparently cut the fiber optic cable between Palermo, Italy, and Alexandria, Egypt. Providers throughout the Middle East and as far as Pakistan are severely affected with significant communication declines are reported. UAE telecoms company and internet service provider Dubai Internet City is one of the hardest hit, being out of operation for several hours. Because du has a monopoly in the Free Zone, customers do not have alternative connectivity during outages.
Maps Dubai Internet City
History
Dubai Internet City, a member of Dubai Holding TECOM Investments subsidiary, was established in October 1999, and opened in October 2000.
Dubai Internet City (DIC) provides a knowledge economy ecosystem designed to facilitate enterprise business development of Communication and Internet Technology (ICT). It is the largest ICT infrastructure in the Middle East, built within the free trade zone.
Global ICT giants like Microsoft, Oracle Corporation, HP, IBM, Dell, Siemens, Canon, Logica, Sony Ericsson, Schlumberger and Cisco, as well as many small and medium-sized businesses and entrepreneurial businesses based in DIC. The ICT Group in Dubai Internet City consists of companies from sectors such as software development, business services, e-commerce, consulting and sales and marketing. Locally raised technology companies like Ducont FZ LLC, one of the earliest startups at DIC, have shown that innovation is possible in the region, and quite successfully, at the time.
The DIC cluster environment provides most of the value chain elements for ICT businesses. In addition, it has developed programs that can be utilized by the ICT community to explore and expand business development channels and opportunities.
Economy
Dubai Internet City, like all of Dubai, has experienced rapid growth, with Emirates GDP rising at double-digit rates. However, since 2003 inflation has risen rapidly as well, making real GDP growth significantly lower. The latest official government figures (2006) state inflation at 9.6%. In the spring of 2008, the level was somewhere above 10%, and close to 20% according to some international banks' estimates.
The government has imposed price controls on rising rental rates and fuel and basic commodities such as rice, but this can not be seen as effective long-term anti-inflation measures in the market economy. The UAE continues to reaffirm its commitment to pegging its currency to a steadily weakening dollar, which ruled out a significant interest rate hike - an inflation-raising tool received in developed countries. The Federal Reserve's rate cut of 1.25% in January 2008 has been reflected by the UAE Central Bank, which will inevitably trigger further inflation and weaken the currency.
In March 2008, DIC announced lease increase to 180 AED per square foot - a 25% increase (the government's rent limit for private landlords was 5% for 2008). The DIC statement accompanying the release said "operating costs have increased recently due to economic growth in the region". It did not mention a decision by the UAE government in November 2007 to raise the salaries of federal government employees by 70%. In late 2008, Dubai property prices began falling, down by 50% over the next six months. Rents throughout the emirate fell drastically and much work was lost, especially in real estate. However, in December 2009, DIC prices were not reduced. Current leases of 160 AEDs (July '11), including service charges for electricity, roughly double the rent available in areas immediately outside DIC. From January 15, 2013, RTA began collecting workers and visitors fees to DIC, as well as Dubai Media City and Knowledge Village for parking, which had previously been given free of charge. In addition to collecting parking fees in parking lots and designated parking areas, the authorities began to activate metered parking on the streets, and in off-street areas. This move caused widespread concern among workers at DIC and other TECOM areas.
Location
Dubai Internet City is about 25 kilometers south of downtown Dubai, on Sheikh Zayed Road between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The city is located adjacent to the famous Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Beach Residence and Palm Jumeirah, areas that are rapidly becoming the three most exclusive (and expensive) residential areas in Dubai. DIC less than 1 km from sea beach and near several five star hotels.
See also
- Dubai Media City
- Dubai Studio City
- Dubai Science Park
- Dubai Holding
- SmartCity
- Ras Al Khaimah IT Park
- twofour54 Abu Dhabi
References
External links
- Dubai Internet City - Official website
- Photo gallery of Dubai Internet City
- Dubai Holding - Official website
- Article Dubai Internet City
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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