Orange Business Services wins real estate telecoms consultancy contract with Emaar's KAEC

The city is due for final completion in 2015.

Under the banner of its 'Solutions for Operators' portfolio of services, and leveraging Orange Business Services' substantial international telecoms experience and particularly its focus on the real estate sector
in the Middle East region, Orange will act as trusted advisor and consultant to the Emaar economic city on the design of the multi-billion
dollar economic project that will deliver world class, competitively priced and innovative communications, multimedia and telephony services
to residents and businesses alike over its infrastructure.

Lionel Reina, Vice President for Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa at Orange Business Services, said:

"The engagement of our teams on this consultancy project to oversee the design of their telecoms services, for the city reflects our focus on the real estate sector in the Middle East where we are driving growth through our bespoke 'Solutions for Operators" services. Just as important is the fact that we are working with Emaar, one of the most sophisticated and successful real estate developers in the world".

In smart cities such as KAEC, broadband is as important as roads and a single IP network can support demands for entertainment, information,
and business communications as well as the essential building services such as security, ventilation and safety systems. These smart cities become easy to run because multiple networks can run over one infrastructure that can facilitate automation and remote monitoring of services, for example.

"Smart cities are proving not only more attractive to prospective tenants and occupiers but also offer lower costs in terms of maintenance and management, whilst offering the potential to bring in additional non-rental revenues to developers," adds Lionel Reina.

Mr Fahd Al-Rasheed, Board Member and Chief Executive Officer, Emaar.E.C, said: "The agreement with Orange Business Services reflects our commitment to developing King Abdullah Economic City to the highest standards possible. Orange Business Services has an outstanding track-record for the quality of the work they have executed globally. This agreement will add more value to the Smart City capabilities of KAEC and enhance the lifestyle of residents and tenants."

King Abdullah Economic City is located on the Red Sea, around 100 km north of Jeddah. With a total development area of almost 2 billion square feet (173 km2), the city will be located between the two holy cities of Mecca and Medina and the commercial hub of Jeddah.

It will house 2.5 million residents, and comprise buildings and skyscrapers that will create an important landmark in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East.

When completed, the ultra-modern metropolis will have six distinct areas including a sea port, an industrial zone, an educational zone, a sea resort, a central business district and residential areas.