Jasper puts cloud in the car
M2M specialist Jasper Wireless this week unveiled a cloud-based platform targeting the automotive OEM sector, helping car companies implement and enhance the connected car experience.
The Jasper Connected Car Cloud offers diagnostics, safety and security, to on-board infotainment systems, apps and wifi hotspot services and has been selected by 11 automotive OEMs worldwide the company said.
According to forecasts from automotive research firm SBD, the global market for connected cars will be worth €39 billion by 2018, up from €13 billion in 2012.
“With more than 40 million cellular modem-equipped cars shipping annually by 2020, car makers are looking for flexible, scalable, global platforms for deploying connected services on a single SIM,” said Roger Lanctot, associate director in the global automotive practice of Strategy Analytics.
The offering features a global SIM, enabling manufacturers to manage a single SIM worldwide, while maintaining local service from local operators; split billing, which enables highly differentiated service business models by deploying a variety of different service, rating and billing policies all through a single SIM and modem inside the vehicle; and third party rating, bringing to life new business models that allow third parties to be charged for data consumption inside the vehicle, relevant to the location and preferences of the car’s occupants – a business model gaining a lot of interest at the moment.
“In-car connectivity has gone beyond cars being paired with mobile phones to the point where they are now performing as standalone platforms for broadband content and services,” said Jamie Moss, senior analyst, Informa. “Mobile operators and auto OEMs will not only provide access to familiar content in a format and manner appropriate for use within a vehicle, but also the delivery of specialized, vehicle-specific services.
“Critically for mass market adoption, LTE connectivity is being built into models of vehicle designed for all price brackets as part of the automobile manufacturers’ 2015 ranges. LTE has gone beyond simply being an extra option for luxury cars – it’s now a crucial part of the consumer experience.”
