Etisalat to implement Makani app

Customers can now send their location to Etisalat via UAE's official geo-addressing system, Makani App, for faster telecommunication services. 
Dubai Municipality and Emirates Telecommunications Corporation - Etisalat signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Wednesday, agreeing that the civic body will provide Etisalat all the requirements needed to use Makani app. 
The app will allow customers to send their location's 10-digit coordinates, as displayed on Makani plates installed on buildings, to simplify the process of giving directions to Etisalat employees who can reach building entrances, within an accuracy of one metre square of the pin selected.  
"The move will encourage other entities to implement the system to make it easier for UAE residents and employees to reach their location in the shortest time span, while detect traffic movement," said Lootah.
Etisalat will apply Makani in its work and activities and use it as part of its address system Dubai, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah. 
Abdullah Salem Al Mana, Director General of Etisalat, Dubai branch said the smart system will be applied to every service that needs to be delivered to customers. 
"The app will make the provision of services faster and more efficient in schools, offices, homes, and especially the areas that have multiple units," said Al Mana. 
Etisalat will soon add Makani option for its customers. 
Government entities that currently use Makani App include Dubai Police, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) and Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). 
Dubai Taxi Corporation will officially start using the smart system starting October. 
 "The taxi company changed the system in its fleet of taxis to. At the beginning, they will add Makani to their dispatch centers by end of September, which will make it easier for people to order cabs," said Abdul Hakim Malek, director of the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Department at DM. 
He added, "By October, drivers will use the smart system, which will enable passengers to give drivers the 10-digit coordinates of the location they want to reach to." 
Around 70,000 plates have been installed around Dubai, with the aim to cover the emirate through installing over 130,000 plates by the first quarter of 2017. New plates are currently being added in Emirates Hills and Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza). While the first phase will cover Dubai buildings, the second phase will look to cover all shops around the emirate. 
Malek added that10 main food outlets have signed an agreement to use Makani App and introduce it to their clients. Food chains include McDonald's, Pizza Hut, Burger King, KFC and popular restaurants like Hallab and Hatem. The system also covers free zones, warehouses, farms and factories. 
A total of 20,000 plates were fixed in Ajman, with 20,000 more to be implemented.  The GIS department is looking to cover buildings in Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah. 
The civic body aims to re-enforce the smart addressing system among smaller food outlets. 
 
Move to make Makani compulsory 
Malek noted there have been talks with Smart Dubai Office to establish regulations that would make Makani compulsory for the private sector. 
"We should all support the system to make Dubai plan in being a smart government come true," said Malek. 
He added that the department is working to introduce the system to shipping companies including Aramex and Emirates post. 
Malek also said that RERA will also make it compulsory for real estate companies to use the app once the 130,000 plates are installed in Dubai. The move will make it easier for inspectors and employees to move around the emirate. 
sherouk@khaleejtimes.com 

• UAE