This podcast touches upon some of the challenges presented by the demand to integrate dynamic and easily updateable content into the vehicle.

Listen to the podcast here!

Telenor Connexion has been chosen as the European connectivity supplier for Renault’s sophisticated telematics services available on new Renault electric and fuel vehicles.

Following the success with Nissan LEAF, ”European Car of the Year 2011”, the Renault Nissan Alliance has selected Telenor Connexion as its European supplier of connectivity for Renault’s new electric and internal combustion car models as well. The first new electric vehicles to be connected are Kangoo ZE, Fluence ZE and the first ICE vehicles connected will be Kangoo and Master.

Telenor Connexion’s dedicated connectivity solution helps Renault’s sophisticated onboard unit connect to theRenaultGlobalDataCenterin a private network environment allowing Renault to provide its end customers with a wide range of services and information. This is made possible by seamless communication via cellular mobile networks in all of Europe, plus Russia and Turkey. Renault’s onboard unit uses the embedded SIM technology from Telenor Connexion partner Sierra Wireless, which allows for more robust, durable and better integrated connectivity in an automotive environment.

The main features for electric vehicles include helping end customers to optimize the autonomy of their electric battery by making it possible to check the battery status either by phone or computer. Electric vehicle owners will be able to spot the charging locations available and to plan a trip until destination. In addition, the telematics solution will offer subscriptions for optional services such as remote diagnostics, fleet asset management, road assistance, insurance telematics, and more in future.

“Telenor Connexion truly supports innovation in M2M and is the first mobile operator able to provide a reliable and secure connectivity solution with an embedded SIM solution for mass deployment in the automotive market. Other determining features of Telenor Connexion’s telematics solution are their global coverage, their proactive service awareness and their dedicated Service Portal to facilitate the management of connectivity”, says Ms. Claude Deulniau, IT Purchasing Manager at Renault.

“The agreement with Renault, one of the world’s largest car companies, underlines Telenor Connexion’s position as the leading global M2M connectivity provider in automotive telematics. We are very proud to be part of the Renault-Nissan electric vehicle program, which is the largest ever launched and to support the company’s ambition to be the world leader in zero emissions”, says Rémi Demerlé, EMEA Sales Manager at Telenor Connexion.

For more information, please contact:

Service Presse Renault, tel. +33 1 76 84 63 36

Kristina Grandin, PR and Communications, Telenor Connexion
kristina.grandin@telenor.com, +46 734 25 26 21

About Renault
Renault was founded in France more than 110 years ago and has since developed internationally. Today it has over 30 production sites and 18,000 business sites (subsidiaries, dealerships and agents) in 118 countries. Renault designs, produces and sells a broad range of vehicles, including from 2011 a range of electric vehicles accessible to all that embodies the company’s commitment to the environment. With its zero-emission* range and new generation of internal-combustion engines, Energy, Renault is aiming for leadership in low CO2 emissions, which it plans to reduce from 135 g/km today to less than 120 g/km in 2013 and under 100 g/km in 2016. Renault is also characterized by innovation for all, top-level product and service quality, and renewed vehicle design. The company is pursuing its strategy of profitable growth with associate brands Dacia and Renault Samsung Motors and strategic partner AvtoVAZ. Renault has a workforce of 121,000 worldwide. In 2010 it reported revenues of €38,971 million and sold over 2.6 million vehicles. Renault also relies on its partner Nissan as part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance to respond to the challenges stemming from the internationalization of markets. The Alliance is based on major synergies in product strategy, platforms, powertrain components and purchasing and takes advantage of the complementary geographical fit between the two manufacturers. The Renault-Nissan Alliance signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Daimler in April 2010 notably concerning A segment and powertrain projects.
* in use, excluding wear parts 

About Telenor Connexion
Telenor Connexion is the leading provider of premium M2M solutions for business and life critical applications, regardless of the vertical market. Building on more than 10 years of M2M experience, Telenor Connexion provides customers with tools that allow for full control of status, location and performance of their connected devices. Telenor Connexion has provided reliable, international M2M solutions to a number of global customers such as Volvo, Nissan, Daimler, TomTom, Omron, Scania, Qualcomm Enterprise Services, Hitachi and Securitas. The company was established in 2008 and originates from the successful M2M business within Telenor Sweden. Telenor Connexion is wholly owned by Telenor Group, one of the world’s major mobile operators.
For more information please visit www.telenorconnexion.com

Telenor Connexion today announced that it has been selected global supplier of embedded connectivity by Amelti, a  manufacturer of industrial engine and vehicle fuel and emissions monitoring and management systems. The premium M2M solution is intended for Amelti’s flagship SmartFeeder product line, an aftermarket product designed to reduce and track fuel consumption, automate additive dispensing, minimize emissions and provide fleet management provisioning.

The SmartFeeder fuel additive injection system is engineered to track diesel fuel usage, vehicle or vessel activity and exhaust emissions – all in real-time! The embedded connectivity and dedicated service portal from Telenor Connexion  enables the SmartFeeder systems to be monitored and controlled remotely, allowing for automatic adjustment of fuel additive dosing to optimize engine performance and fuel economy.

“With more than 10 years of developing communications solutions in the global M2M market, Telenor Connexion was the obvious connectivity partner for the global deployment of our intelligent SmartFeeder systems. The company shows a unique combination of extensive knowledge about M2M and the automotive industry. The reliable solution provided by Telenor Connexion is backed up by outstanding customer support and an advanced technical platform”, says Roger Kronborg, CTO at Amelti.

“The contract with Amelti is of significant importance to us. Telenor Connexion is proud to be part of Amelti’s innovative and ecologically beneficial SmartFeeder solutions. We support Amelti’s vision of becoming a global leader and their  efforts in fuel efficiency and emissions reduction technologies”, says Henrik Rosell, Regional Sales Manager at Telenor Connexion.

Major companies in shipping, transportation, navy & military, power generation and other industries are using Amelti solutions to make their businesses more profitable, more efficient and cleaner.

For more information, please contact:

Roger Kronborg, CTO
info@Amelti.com
Europe: +47-9511-9611
North America: +1-206-275-3262
Middle East: +961-71-958-951

Kristina Grandin, PR and Communications, Telenor Connexion
kristina.grandin@telenor.com, +46 734 25 26 21

About Amelti
Amelti Development AS is based in Norway in the city of Horten with regional offices in Seattle, USA and Beirut, Lebanon. It is a private company that manufactures and markets a comprehensive multifunction system under the SmartFeeder trademark to add, monitor and control fuel additives, fuel consumption, exhaust emissions and usage for vehicles, shipping vessels and industrial engines. The company has developed and applied for proprietary patent pending technologies worldwide. For more information about Amelti and its technologies, please visit the company website at www.amelti.com.

Telenor Connexion, the world leader in premium M2M solutions for business and life critical applications, today announced the expansion of its business development team in Japan and Malaysia to meet the growing demand for M2M services in the Asian region.

The Tokyo office established in 2010 is now expanded with a local team. Mr. Kentaro Ohshida has been appointed Account Liaison Director and contact point for the Japan office. Mr. Ohshida brings extensive experience from a major Japanese consumer electronics manufacturer, where he served for almost a decade as a strong interface with multinational-based customer accounts.

Telenor Connexion is additionally appointing Mr. Thomas Strandin as Head of Sales for the Asia Pacific region. Mr. Strandin has worked with B2B sales within the telecom industry for more than 10 years. His experience and contributions in the wireless sector span from security and smart grids applications to mobile health, and other industry verticals.

“The appointment of Mr. Ohshida and Mr. Strandin is part of Telenor Connexion’s continued geographic expansion initiative to increase our presence in key growth markets. Mr. Ohshida’s expertise in the region and strong technical and sales competence will further strengthening our local presence and support business growth”, says Per Simonsen, CEO at Telenor Connexion. “The extensive experience and industry-specific knowledge Mr. Strandin brings, will strongly contribute to the company’s continued success in the region”.

The expanded presence in Japan and South East Asia will allow Telenor Connexion to increase its level of proactive service awareness to customers and partners across Asia and deliver advanced value added services.

Telenor Connexion already serves a number of key customers in Asia with world-class premium embedded connectivity solutions, spanning multiple vertical markets such as automotive, asset management and security. Examples of customers applying the company’s business and life critical applications to achieve cost savings, flexibility and improved services are Nissan and Hitachi.

Telenor Connexion is wholly owned by Telenor Group, one of the world’s major mobile operators. Telenor serves more than 100 million mobile subscribers in Asia and a total of 301 million subscribers worldwide.

Italy-based Octo Telematics specialises in the provision of telematics services and systems for the insurance and automotive market. Through its technological platform, which includes an in-vehicle monitoring device and its multiservice center, the company offers a unique range of services including usage-based insurance, driving behavior and mileage reporting, safety and security services, crash management, road assistance and real-time traffic monitoring.

The embedded connectivity behind these business and life critical services is delivered by Telenor Connexion, the leading provider of premium M2M solutions. The agreement enables Octo Telematics to use one standardised connectivity solution for multiple markets including an online service portal and APN/VPN.
“We decided to select Telenor Connexion as our partner because of the company’s broad experience, its commitment to innovation and their proactive service approach. These three things ensure a high level of reliability in our offering as we deploy in Europe and the Americas”, says Federico Santini, COO at Octo Telematics.

“We are delighted to partner with such a major player as Octo Telematics. With more than a million active subscribers and more than 50 insurance partners worldwide, Octo Telematics is the forerunner and market leader in telematics applications for auto insurance”, says Per Lindberg, Global Business Development Executive Automotive at Telenor Connexion.

With the recent launch of its North American operations, Octo Telematics can now offer its comprehensive range of vehicle telematics solutions to the considerable U.S. automotive insurance market.

For more information, please contact:
Harald Trautsch, CMO, Octo Telematics
harald.trautsch@octotelematics.com, +39 (06) 7265341

Kristina Grandin, PR and Communications, Telenor Connexion
kristina.grandin@telenor.com , +46 734 25 26 21

About Octo Telematics
Octo Telematics is an advanced Telematics Service Provider (TSP) that provides services and systems to the insurance and automotive markets. With more than one million active customers and the largest insurance telematics statistical database in the world, Octo Telematics is the global leader in the research, development and management of cutting-edge telematics applications for auto insurance. Its services have achieved widespread acceptance, most recently adding an average of over 1,500 new customers each day and connecting with more than 50 different insurers worldwide. Octo Telematics was founded in Rome in 2002 and operates internationally today with offices and partners throughout the world. For further information, please visit: www.octotelematics.com

At the GSMA Awards 2011. Telenor Connexion’s Fredric Lileström flanked by (from left) the awards host, British tv and radio star Jonathan Ross, GSMA and Nissan representatives and (to the right) representatives from AT&T and NTT Docomo.

The GSMA today announced the winners for the 16th Annual Global Mobile Awards at the GSMA Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Nissan LEAF was awarded “Best Mobile Innovation for Automotive and Transport” for its connected telematics services CARWINGS.

This Information and Communication Technology system (ICT) for electric vehicles (EV) helps deliver greater convenience, comfort and security for Nissan LEAF owners, as well as provides real-world data that is important to realising a low-carbon society in the future.

With the ICT system, Nissan LEAF owners are constantly connected to the data and information they need to optimize their EV experience. This is made possible by seamless communication via mobile networks and PCs using a Telenor Connexion embedded SIM.

Unique features of the Nissan LEAF’s CARWINGS system include electric vehicle battery state monitoring, usage history and air-conditioning remote control.

The GSMA judges stated when presenting the awards:

“A truly innovative solution using smartphones for remote control and diagnostics for electric vehicles, allowing drivers to monitor and reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions. The ability for drivers to compare performance characteristics with other drivers is highly relevant, adding a social dimension to the solution. It sets the standard for others to follow.”

− We warmly congratulate Nissan on the award and the delivery of this top quality solution, which is sure to play a major role in setting a standard for the whole EV industry. To have won in such a highly competitive and innovative field is a great achievement and we look forward to our continued cooperation with Nissan, says Per Simonsen, CEO of Telenor Connexion.
 
The telematics service is installed in the all-new Nissan LEAF, which will go on sale in Europe this quarter.

 The GSMA’s Global Mobile Awards offer organisations across the global mobile ecosystem the opportunity to showcase the latest and best mobile products, services and initiatives to the world.

The winners were announced during an afternoon awards ceremony at the GSMA Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

More information at GSMA Global Mobile Awards 2011.

GSMA
The GSMA represents the interests of the worldwide mobile communications industry. Spanning 219 countries, the GSMA unites nearly 800 of the world’s mobile operators, as well as more than 200 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset makers, software companies, equipment providers, Internet companies, and media & entertainment organizations. www.gsmworld.com

About Nissan in Europe
Nissan employs 12,500 people in its European design, research and development, manufacturing, logistics, and sales and marketing operations. In calendar year 2009, the company sold 498,027 vehicles across 40 markets in Western and Eastern Europe including Russia. Furthermore, the company produced a total of 390,727 vehicles in its Spanish and British plants. 
www.nissan-europe.com

Telenor Connexion has been chosen as the European connectivity supplier for Nissan LEAF’s ”CARWINGS” intelligent transport (IT) system, allowing connection between the electric car’s sophisticated onboard transmitting unit and Nissan’s CARWINGS Data Center. Thanks to Telenor Connexion, owners of the 100% electric vehicle will have access at all times, both on and off board, to the data and information they need for greater convenience, comfort and peace of mind. Unique features of the Nissan CARWINGS system include electric vehicle battery state monitoring, usage history and air-conditioning remote control. This is made possible by seamless communication between the vehicle and people via mobile networks and PCs.

- Telenor Connexion’s dedicated telematics solution connects Nissan LEAF’s onboard unit to the Nissan CARWINGS Data Center in a private network environment allowing Nissan to deliver a secure and stable product to our customers, says Pierre Loing, Vice president of product strategy and planning at Nissan International SA and head of the company’s European zero emission business unit. Nissan International, located in Rolle, Switzerland, is the headquarters of Nissan in Europe.

- We are very excited to work with Nissan, who plays a major role in setting a standard for the whole EV industry. This agreement is the start of what we expect to be a long-term partnership. It is of significant value for Telenor Connexion, but above all it reinforces our position as the leading connectivity supplier in the automotive industry. We already have agreements with major global automotive players such as Volvo Cars, Volvo Trucks, Scania and Daimler, says Per Simonsen, CEO of Telenor Connexion. 

Nissan LEAF was awarded ”European Car of the Year 2011” and is the world’s first mass-production, 100% electric, zero-emission car. The new EV will be on sale in Europe early 2011 with the first deliveries to Portugal, Ireland, the UK and the Netherlands.

For more information, please contact:
Mia Nielsen, Nissan Europe SAS
mnielsen@nissan-europe.com, +33 1 72 67 66 44
For B-roll and photos of Nissan LEAF, go to www.newsroom.nissan-europe.com

Kristina Grandin, PR and Communications, Telenor Connexion
kristina.grandin@telenor.com, +46 734 25 26 21

About Nissan in Europe
Nissan employs 12,500 people in its European design, research and development, manufacturing, logistics, and sales and marketing operations. In calendar year 2009, the company sold 498,027 vehicles across 40 markets in Western and Eastern Europe including Russia. Furthermore, the company produced a total of 390,727 vehicles in its Spanish and British plants.

Telenor Connexion, the leading global provider of embedded connectivity solutions, today announced that the company has opened a new office in Tokyo, Japan to support a growing demand for M2M (machine-to-machine) and telematics solutions in the Asia/Pacific region.

The company has already established itself as a leading global M2M provider in the region working with a number of prominent Japanese customers and several automotive OEM’s.

- Japan is among the most mature M2M markets within the Asia/Pacific region. The opening of our office in Tokyo reinforces our long-term commitment to both Japan and the Asia/Pacific region as a whole. Telenor Connexion’s expansion in Asia allows us to further assist locally-based clients with regional and global market opportunities, says Thomas Strandin, VP of Sales APAC at Telenor Connexion.

The office, located in Roppongi Minato-ku, Tokyo, is managed by Ola Olsson, Country Manager for Japan and Korea. Mr. Olsson has more than 10 years of experience in various sales functions within the Telenor Group and at Vodafone. Mr. Olsson will work closely with customers and partners in Japan and Korea to strengthen existing relationships and identify new business opportunities.

- I am very excited about our local presence in Japan. My ambition is to supply a wide range of Asian customers with global M2M connectivity solutions – especially those requiring high performance for business and life critical applications. The opportunities in all vertical markets are growing and the Telenor Connexion team is ready to take on the challenge, says Ola Olsson, Country Manager for Japan and Korea at Telenor Connexion.

Telenor Connexion is constantly expanding its global market presence and has recently established an office in the US. The company already has offices in Sweden, UK, France and Switzerland.

Telenor Connexion is wholly owned by Telenor Group, which serve more than 60 million mobile subscribers in Asia.

This directive is paving the way for a European-wide market of services in the transport business focusing on the 4 priority areas defined as follows:

• optimal use of road, traffic and travel data (real traffic information service)
  • priority actions: EU-wide multimodal travel and real-time traffic information services as well as road safety related minimum universal traffic information services
• continuity of traffic and freight management ITS services (enabling better fleet management services)
  • actions: e.g. ensuring information flow; tracking and tracing of freight
• ITS road safety and security applications (eCALL and parking services)
  • priority actions: EU-wide eCall services as well as reservation and information systems services for safe and secure parking places for trucks and commercial vehicles
• linking the vehicle with the transport infrastructure (enabling Car2Car and vehicle2infrastructure services)
  • actions: e.g. systems for exchange of data or information between vehicles, infrastructures and between vehicle and infrastructure

The new directive is the result of a long-awaited European process of negotiations between Parliament and Council since the first draft was proposed by the European Commission (EC) in December 2008ⁱⁱ. In 2008, EC was pointing out the real challenges of the growing transport needs for all Europe. EC called for the adoption of ITS applications and alerted on the lack of an existing standard and coherent organization between countries for making the deployment of such technologies economically viable. Most of the action plan has been transposed into the directive, except for the timing where member states will benefit of longer periods of time between every report (every 3 years versus 1) and for the safe keeping of existing ITS applications deployed in one member state.

This is to say that in Europe, every new application requires a consensus from all of the members and always takes into consideration every existing set up. As an example, the investment in the emergency call services made by some European car OEM:s (seen as real pioneers a decade ago) will therefore be protected for tomorrow and stay compliant with the future pan-european eCall standard.

The new directive establishes a framework and planning of actions to support a coordinated and coherent deployment of ITS within the EU, in particular across the borders between the member states, and it sets out the general conditions necessary for that purpose. For example the reuse of existing technologies like EGNOS/Galileo and RFID, the creation of a new ITS Advisory Group (similar to the eSafety group which was created in 2002 for eCall and lead by ERTICO), regrouping delegates of industry, associations and European Member States – for those who want to work on the future specifications of ITS applications it will most certainly be very interesting to join – and an ITS Committee (parallel to other existing committees for road tolling, recording equipments, use of spatial information, etc.), which with its expertise will help the EC to drive the specifications and the global action plan.

A two-step approach for a swift introduction of ITS through EU legislation has been agreed: the Commission will prepare and adopt the necessary specifications for the ITS applications and services concerned. Their aim is to be ready by February 27, 2013 for a minimum of one or more of the priorities. Then, within 12 months and, where appropriate, after an impact assessment, the Commission will present a proposal for deployment of those ITS to the European Parliament and the Council, which will jointly decide for or against the proposal. In any case, member states will have the final say on whether or not to deploy an ITS application or service in their territory. However, if they do so, they must respect the specifications adopted under the directive. There are some additional key milestones to keep in mind: in August 2011, member states will report their ITS activities and projects to the Commission. In August 2012, the member states will report about the national deployment of ITS application and their actions for the next 5 years. A report of progress will be updated every 3 years by the Commission for the Parliament.

In conclusion, this is a necessary and constructive framework for preparing and organizing the conditions of an interesting market for ITS services on a European scale.

This directive does not hide the complexity of delivering telematics services for all Europe. Indeed, we are talking about providing some connected services in a fragmented mosaic of countries for more than 230 million passenger cars, 30 million light commercial vehicles and 6 million trucks. Having a portion of this market, we at Telenor Connexion have an understanding of how complex it can be. Therefore, I am expecting a long process for assessing the existing implementations, taking into consideration every report and finding specifications good enough to be approved by the larger number.

Finally, coming back to the business reality, I believe that this is a good time for automotive OEMs to make decision whether to start a venture or wait longer (but do not expect a reliable specification before 2013). It’s worth keeping a serious eye on this.

Footnotes
i Directive 2010/40/EU adopted on July 7, 2010 by the Parliament, can be downloaded on the web site: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2010:207:0001:0013:EN:PDF

iiThe draft document from the European Commission dated of Dec 16.2008, with reference 2008/0263, is available on web site: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=COM:2008:0887:FIN:EN:PDF

Fredric Liljeström, Head of Sales Strategy at Telenor Connexion, will lead the GSMA’s Roaming, Fraud & Security workstream to help drive the growth of connected devices globally.

The GSMA’s Embedded Mobile initiative was set up to accelerate the global adoption of wireless connectivity in a wide range of devices in key vertical markets such as healthcare, automotive and utilities. The Roaming, Fraud & Security workstream, lead by Telenor Connexion, will study ways in which to reduce or eliminate constraints regarding roaming, fraud and security by reviewing and updating mobile operator business processes, helping to facilitate the growth of connected devices globally and minimising potential risks for stakeholders and the wider embedded mobile ecosystem.

Liljeström has worked with machine-to-machine/telematics since 1995, mostly within the automotive sector. After joining Telenor Sweden in 2001, he was profoundly involved in developing the telematics business. When the company Telenor Connexion was formed in late 2008, he took on the position as Head of Sales Strategy, and has been one of the key players in establishing the portfolio of embedded connectivity solutions for business and life critical applications.

- The work of the roaming, fraud and security workstream is essential to the future of embedded connectivity. We have a central part to play in order to develop support for embedded mobile in order to facilitate the adoption and use of wireless connectivity in a wide range of devices deployed globally, said Fredric Liljeström, Head of Sales Strategy, Telenor Connexion.

- We are delighted to appoint Telenor Connexion and Fredric as the lead of our Roaming, Fraud & Security workstream as part of our Embedded Mobile initiative, said Ana Tavares Lattibeaudiere, Head of Embedded Mobile at the GSMA.

- Fredric’s experience at Telenor in deploying connected devices globally will be of great value as we look at how to securely extend and replicate the success of roaming to a range of different devices, Lattibeaudiere continued.

For more information, please contact:
Karin Karlung, PR and Communication, Telenor Connexion
karin.karlung@telenor.com, +46 734 417 415

For more information on the GSMA’s Embedded Mobile initiative, please visit: www.gsmworld.com.