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dubai-taxi-transport-wifi

Record-Breaking Transport Wi-Fi & Tracking for 9,500 RTA Taxis Across Dubai

PROJECT STATS

  • Total Vehicles: 9,500
  • Users per Month: 2 Million
  • Completion Time: 10 Months

INDUSTRY

  • Transport

PROJECT SCOPE

  • Guest WiFi
  • Fleet Management
  • WiFi Monetization
  • Tracking and Monitoring
  • Taxi Meter Integration
  • User Registration
  • Bandwidth Management
  • 24/7 NOC Services

Overview

In a groundbreaking move to accelerate Dubai’s Smart City vision, EZELINK partnered with 1247 Media and Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (du) to deliver seamless free public WiFi across 9,500 RTA (Roads & Transport Authority) taxis. This initiative, titled “Tech Taxi,” is the first of its kind globally—bringing together connectivity, innovation, and smart monetization to enhance passenger experiences and enable smarter urban mobility.

Within 9 months, EZELINK deployed WiFi and GPS services across thousands of moving vehicles, using advanced in-house technology and strategic planning. The result: a connected transportation ecosystem used daily by millions of commuters.

 

This project epitomizes Dubai Government’s ambition for Smart Dubai. The ‘Tech Taxi’ WiFi initiative not only increases people happiness but also demonstrates the power of collaboration between public and private sectors.

— Khaled Al Awadi, Director of Transportation Systems, RTA

Objectives

  • Deliver citywide taxi WiFi connectivity to support Dubai’s Smart City agenda.

  • Enhance passenger experience through free, secure, and fast WiFi access.

  • Enable smart data capture and analytics for transport and advertising optimization.

  • Ensure legal compliance, bandwidth control, and policy enforcement.

  • Support ad monetization and business model innovation for RTA and partners

Key Stakeholders

  • EZELINK – Technology integrator and WiFi solution provider.

  • RTA (Roads & Transport Authority) – Project sponsor and public transport regulator.

  • du – Telecom infrastructure and connectivity partner.

  • 1247 Media – Advertising and monetization partner.

 

Challenges

Large-Scale Vehicle-Based Deployment

  • Connecting 9,500 moving taxis, each belonging to different franchise operators, posed massive logistical and technological challenges.

2. Extremely Tight Deadlines

  • EZELINK had only four months to integrate the first 4,000 vehicles and five months for the remaining 5,500—all while maintaining zero disruption to daily taxi operations.

3. Operational Constraints

  • Installation had to be performed during non-peak hours, given the 24/7 schedule of Dubai taxis.

  • Needed to coordinate across multiple vendors, technicians, and government protocols.

4. Environment & Durability

  • WiFi systems had to withstand extreme UAE summer temperatures, heavy usage, and vehicle movement without compromising reliability.

 

Solution

EZELINK’s proprietary EZETRANSPORT AC750T series routers were the backbone of this rollout. Purpose-built for mobility, each unit was:

  • Designed with dual WiFi antennas, 4G/3G modules, GPS tracking, and anti-interference systems.

  • Fanless and heat-resistant, operating between -30°C to +85°C—perfect for Dubai’s climate.

  • Built with vehicle-specific interference protection to ensure smooth data transmission on the move.

Deployment Timeline

  • Phase 1 (Months 1–4): 4,000 taxis equipped with WiFi and GPS.

  • Phase 2 (Months 5–9): Remaining 5,500 vehicles connected, tested, and launched.

Installation, configuration, and testing were completed ahead of schedule, thanks to EZELINK’s centralized cloud-based router provisioning system, which allowed zero-touch deployments without technical field staff.

 

Core Capabilities & Features

Captive Portal & Authentication

  • Branded login interface for users.

  • OTP-based authentication via SMS to comply with UAE’s TRA regulations.

Bandwidth Management

  • Bandwidth throttling per session and device.

  • Fair usage policy to prevent abuse and maintain consistent performance.

 Reporting & Analytics

  • Real-time dashboard for:

    • Bandwidth usage

    • User behavior insights

    • Monetization metrics

    • Location-based analytics

WiFi Monetization Engine (EZENGAGE)

  • Dynamic ad insertion based on:

    • Location

    • Gender

    • Device type

  • Enables targeted promotions and sponsored access, creating new revenue streams.

Policy Enforcement

  • Custom user policies for:

    • Session duration

    • Speed limits

    • Concurrent connections

  • Load balancing and group-based access controls.

The RTA’s Tech Taxi project—powered by EZELINK’s robust wireless infrastructure—has set a new global benchmark in public transportation connectivity. From concept to deployment, the initiative proved how technology can elevate everyday experiences, empower government innovation, and create new digital business models.

By transforming Dubai’s taxis into moving digital touchpoints, EZELINK didn’t just install WiFi—they helped drive the future of mobility.