Ericsson and ViaSat drive mobile Internet in the car with automotive GPRS

Ericsson and ViaSat drive mobile Internet in the car with automotive GPRS Ericsson and ViaSat are signing an agreement for the development of portals, applications and services designed specifically for access from dedicated mobile terminals installed in motor vehicles. The first automotive GPRS in Italy is capable of making car-to-center connections that are continuous and four times faster than today. The implementation of automotive GPRS will enable ViaSat terminals to connect to vehicle operations centers in real time and at zero cost. This will further speed emergency help and enable vehicles to be monitored continuously for reasons of safety, protection and assistance. Full-time connection will support on-demand or automatic access to pay-per-use services such as traffic information, stock market listings, breaking news and weather reports. "Ericsson believes that within three years mobile Internet users will exceed fixed Internet users," says Jan Lindgren, Ericsson's Vice President and General Manager, Mobile Internet Solutions. "Car travelers will play a major role in this development." "Experts agree that three years from now, 25 percent of all cars will be online," says Pierluigi Leone, ViaSat's CEO. "ViaSat will help Ericsson enable the transition from GSM to the first GPRS dedicated to vehicles." Internet Car ®, ViaSat's "Web on the dashboard", is accessible via a pull out screen and includes a driver portal. As well as help and fast emergency services, the portal offers travelers Web surfing, voice news, email, updated online road guides, tourist information, v-commerce (vehicle commerce) and many other services. All these services are geo- referenced and refer to the vehicle's actual location at the time. Ericsson is the leading communications supplier, combining innovation in mobility and Internet in creating the new era of mobile Internet. Ericsson provides total solutions covering everything from systems and applications to mobile phones and other communications tools. With more than 100,000 employees in 140 countries, Ericsson simplifies communications for customers all over the world. Read more at http://www.ericsson.com/press FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT Eva Sparr, Communications Manager, Internet Applications and Solutions Phone: +46 8 422 24 24; E-mail: eva.sparr@lme.ericsson.se Jan Lindgren, Vice President and General Manager, Mobile Internet Solutions, Ericsson Division Internet Applications & Solutions Phone: +46 8 58533102; E-mail: jan.lindgren@era.ericsson.se Dario De Marchi, Director External Relations Phone: +39 06 439 88270; E-mail: dademarc@tin.it About ViaSat VIASAT (a joint venture between Magneti Marelli/FIAT Group and Seat- Tin.It/ Telecom Italia Group) is first in Italy and second worldwide for infomobility and satellite safety and protection car telematics. With a fast growing presence in Europe, Viasat provides around the clock connection to control centers for protection, assistance and information before, during and after the journey. With Viasat cars become smart and are on-line. http://www.viasatonline.it