7 days ago
Musandam wins WSIS award for smart street lighting
Muscat – Musandam has been recognised at the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum in Geneva for its smart street lighting project that uses Internet of Things (IoT) technologies.
Organised by International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the forum honoured the project as one of the best entries for its sustainability and practical application.
The supervisory committee of the WSIS competition described the project as a replicable model for urban areas, highlighting its technical innovation and alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Amna bint Mohammed al Shehhi, Director of Information Technology Department in Musandam, said the system is built on a network of smart sensors installed on lighting poles. These sensors gather real-time data on natural light, movement of vehicles and pedestrians, weather conditions, and the operational status of the infrastructure. The data is transmitted to a central platform, which analyses it and makes automated decisions to optimise lighting operations, including adjusting brightness or switching lights on and off based on need.
She said the platform supports continuous monitoring, early fault detection and instant maintenance alerts, which improve service quality and reduce response times. The system also generates analytical reports to support infrastructure planning and policy decisions.
According to Amna, Musandam's street lighting project marks a significant shift in urban management. Technically, it reduces electricity consumption by up to 40% compared to conventional lighting systems and prolongs the lifespan of fixtures. Environmentally, it cuts emissions and contributes to Oman's shift towards green development and smart cities. Administratively, it improves resource efficiency while reducing operational and maintenance costs.
She said the recognition was a national achievement reflecting Musandam's progress in leveraging technology for public benefit while aligning with Oman Vision 2040, which prioritises digital transformation and sustainability.
One of the leading global platforms for ICT developments, WSIS is hosted under the United Nations umbrella and coordinated by ITU with support from other UN agencies. The annual summit encourages digital innovation aligned with SDGs and includes the WSIS Prizes, a global competition attracting entries from governments, academia, civil society and private sector entities. The awards span 18 categories including digital infrastructure, smart cities, e-governance and environmental innovation.
