EC takes first step to implement eCall
Today, September 8, the European Commission adopted a recommendation regarding eCall. It recommends member states to ensure that we mobile network operators upgrade our infrastructure to support eCall (Emergency call services) by 2015.
What is so special about automotive telematics?
…is a question I get from time to time. As a mobile network operator specializing in premium connectivity solutions, we operate everything from consumer electronic devices, sheep (Yes really! At least we make sure they don’t run off to where they are not supposed to be.) and point of sale terminals, to passenger cars and heavy trucks. Most of these verticals we, and the rest of the industry, group under the term M2M for machine-to-machine communications, but the automotive industry have settled for the term telematics.
Electric Vehicles are only one part of the new connected eco-system puzzle
I attended the Plug-in electric vehicle infrastructure USA conference in San Diego two weeks ago. It was an interesting conference, providing a lot of insight into the challenges and opportunities in this new industry. A key take away for me was just how new this industry is, and how different companies are trying to find viable business models to support their different products. This really is a green field area, and increasing funding is finding its way into new start ups, in areas such as smart charging, battery technologies, charge station infrastructure, etc. Previously, most of the funding has come from government programs as well as regional programs, but now, risk capital seems to find these companies as well.
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Open platforms – the foundation for a successful telematics business case?
Open platforms have been discussed for years, in the telematics and M2M space. They have always promised shorter development cycles, software re-use, a broad developer base and a way out from being dependant on one single supplier. But recently, I have feeling that there has been a new spice added to the mix, the long awaited possibility to make money by selling services.
Apple set the norm by the fantastic success of the Apple Appstore for the iPhone, iPod and now iPad. This has not given Apple’s competitors any rest, and we see “appstores” coming from every major device manufacturer today. You could of course argue that what Apple has created, is a long way from an open platform, as Apple owns all the IPRs themselves, and they are the only provider of the hardware. But where we cannot argue, is the fact they have managed to create an Ecosystem that allows third party developers the possibility to create, and perhaps most importantly, earn money on developing and selling applications.
