Saturday 12 / July / 2025
Muscat: Musandam Governorate was honoured at the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) 2025 Summit in Geneva on Saturday.
Organised by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for its innovative project that develops smart street lighting systems using Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, it was recognised as one of the most outstanding in terms of sustainability and applicability.
The project caught the attention of the WSIS competition committee, with experts describing it as a practical model that can be replicated across urban environments, due to its technical innovation and alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Amina bint Mohammed Al-Shehhi, Director of the Information Technology Department at Musandam’s General Directorate of Administrative and Financial Affairs, explained that the project relies on an integrated tech infrastructure.
Smart sensors are installed on lighting poles to collect data on natural light intensity, pedestrian and vehicle movement, weather conditions, and the status of the devices themselves.
This data is sent to a centralised operations platform that analyses it and makes automated decisions to turn lights on or off or adjust brightness levels, aiming for maximum operational efficiency.
She noted that the system allows real-time monitoring of the lighting network, enabling early fault detection and immediate alerts to maintenance teams. This improves response time and service quality for residents and visitors. The platform also generates analytical reports to support infrastructure planning and decision-making.
The project represents a major leap on several fronts.
It reduces electricity consumption by up to 40% compared to traditional systems and extends lamp life through need-based operation and helps lower the carbon footprint and supports Oman’s transition to green development and smart cities, and improves resource management and cuts long-term operational and maintenance costs.
Al-Shehhi emphasised that this recognition marks a national achievement, solidifying Musandam’s status as a leading governorate in leveraging technology for public service and sustainable development.
It also reflects its commitment to Oman Vision 2040, which prioritises digital transformation and environmental sustainability.
The WSIS, backed by the United Nations and managed by the ITU in collaboration with several international organizations, stands as one of the foremost global initiatives in ICT for development.
The summit encourages digital innovation and fosters tech projects aimed at achieving the SDGs.
Each year, WSIS hosts the WSIS Prizes competition, celebrating the most innovative and sustainable tech projects from across the globe. Entries come from governments, the private sector, civil society, and academic institutions. The awards span 18 key categories, including digital infrastructure, smart cities and environment, e-government, risk and disaster management, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
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