Ericsson demonstrates how IoT will pave the way for smart utilities in the Middle East

Rutger Reman, Ericsson’s President of Industry & Society Unit for Region Middle East, addressed the Second Annual Energy Forum about the potential of the Internet of Things (IoT) to revolutionize smart utilities. 

“Our vision is the Networked Society – a society where connectivity is the starting point for new ways of innovating, collaborating and socializing. The Networked Society starts with connections, between devices and things but more importantly it is about the big ideas that become possible and will shape benefits to people. By 2020, using a common infrastructure will stimulate many new business models by removing the need for separate infrastructure investment for different verticals,” said Rutger Reman.

During the forum Reman highlighted the importance for Utilities to build horizontal IoT platforms that will allow buildings to be connected and offer the competences for service and technology providers to build up both services and application. “It is imperative that utilities have the means for this transformation, from strategy planning and design, to device verification, to on boarding and integration of partners, to customization and development of platform, as well as operations,” said Reman.

The Second Annual Energy Forum hosted by the Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (SEWA) was held on January 20th at Radisson Blu in Sharjah, hosted speakers and specialists from major international and local companies to discuss the latest sustainability and research findings. Rutger Reman, Ericsson’s President of Industry & Society Unit for Region Middle East received an award from SEWA Chairman H.E Dr Rashid Al Leem for outstanding guest speaker at the event.