TeliaSonera said it will become the world's first operator to launch a cloud-based connected car service with a new smartphone-centred function that is due to launch in Sweden in 2016.
The operator unveiled Telia Sense at its annual Internet of Things (IoT) symposium, explaining the function enables drivers to access and update smart features in their vehicle via a dedicated smartphone app. Telia Sense is being deployed in conjunction with partners from the automotive and insurance industries to initially provide features including car diagnostics, maintenance and tailored vehicle insurance.
Connectivity for the service will be provided on 4G mobile networks and through Wi-Fi hotspots. TeliaSonera said it will build on the Sweden launch by deploying Telia Sense in other countries in the Nordic and Baltic areas.
Hans Dahlberg, head of TeliaSonera Global M2M Services, said the connected car service meets the operator's goal to be "a key player in developing IoT ecosystems".
Telia Sense combines "our partners' industry know-how with our connectivity" to create "an amazing experience for car owners, drivers and passengers" Dahlberg added.
TeliaSonera predicted that the value of the connected car market in the Nordics will hit €1.8 billion ($1.9 billion) in 2017, and that the value of the broader IoT market in the region will grow at a CAGR of 23 per cent through 2018, to a value of €9.1 billion.
Dahlberg noted that Telia Sense "can easily be installed in older as well as newer cars". However, the car must have an OBD-2 port in order to receive a dedicated SIM card to access the service. TeliaSonera said the port is available on cars made from 2001 onwards.
Users would pay a monthly subscription to use the cloud service. In addition to remote diagnostics applications, the service will also provide data on journeys taken, feedback on economic driving, remote monitoring of the vehicle and alarm function, usage based insurance and on-the-move connectivity to enable music and movie streaming.
Telia Sonera will face competition from Vodafone, Deutsche Telekom and Orange in the connected car sector. Analysts identified the trio as the current leaders in Europe's connected car market in FierceWireless:Europe's recent special report into who is making money from the sector today.
For more:
- see this TeliaSonera announcement
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