Tracks cars and gives directions to the nearest petrol station

GSM service integrates positioning and information Tracks cars and gives directions to the nearest petrol station Europolitan and Kipling have jointly developed a positioning platform for use via the GSM network, a technology that can be used for monitoring the position of vehicles. Europolitan has also recently evaluated an improved way of positioning, with an average accuracy of 180 metres - developed by Unwire. Various information services can be connected to the system, enabling the information to be adapted to the customer's geographical position. Thanks to Europolitan's new platform, developed jointly with telecoms company, Kipling, it is now possible to locate the position of a regular GSM telephone, which could be fitted in a car, for example. Several companies, most of which are from the transport sector, are already interested in the service. Road-haulage firm, Axelsson's Åkeri in Skåne has tested the service: "The vehicle positioning service is extremely valuable to us, since it gives us an overview of the whereabouts of our vehicles," says company representative, Torbjörn Axelsson. This particular version, which is ideal for transport firms, will be launched by the summer. Several different services containing some form of positioning system can be developed on the platform. Europolitan recently evaluated an improved way of positioning, developed by telecoms company, Unwire. This system, based on requirements from companies in the security and valuables transportation industry, enhances the platform's precision even further. It has an average positioning accuracy of 180 meters in urban areas and 670 meters in rural areas. The evaluation was carried out using special mobile telephones, but in the near future the service will work with regular GSM telephones. "The potential for this service is huge. The security and guarding services are only the tip of the iceberg," says Unwire's Managing Director, Gunnar Fröjdh. It can also be used privately, and since cars will be able to transmit their exact positions after a crash or accident, this could in some cases be the difference between life and death. The system can also be used to track the position of stolen cars using the in-built, concealed GSM terminal. "In the long-term, we hope that customers will be able to subscribe to a positioning service for use on their mobile telephones," says Gustaf Ekberg, business strategist at Europolitan. "We will then enhance the service by connecting information services to the positioning system. This will allow users to ask questions about the location of the nearest petrol station, hamburger restaurant or cash dispenser - and get an immediate answer." Europolitan AB is a Swedish GSM operator that prioritizes service and quality. The company, which has its head office in Karlskrona, is a leading developer of technically-advanced services for GSM900/1800. The Europolitan Group also includes Europolitan Stores AB and the parent company, Europolitan Holdings, which is listed on the stock exchange, and employs around 800 people. Unwire AB is owned by Procuritas, Ledstiernan and the management of the company. Together with its working partners, it develops products and systems for total mobile communication solutions for banks, security/guarding and positioning. The company was founded in 1997 and today employees 11 people. Kipling is an independent IT/telecoms consulting company. It provides telecoms expertise and systems solutions for the telecoms market. Kipling has offices in Telecom City (Karlskrona), Lund, Gothenburg and London. Kipling Holding AB (publ) is listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange New Market list. The company currently employs around 40 people. The service will be on show at CeBIT in Hanover in Germany, at Stand A40, Hall 26 from 18 to 24 March. For more information, please contact: Gustaf Ekberg, Head of Business Development, Europolitan AB, phone: 0708-33 14 36, e-mail: gustaf.ekberg@europolitan.se Peter Jörgensen, Managing Director, Kipling Information Technology AB, phone: 0708-66 65 55, e-mail: peter.jorgensen@kipling.se Gunnar Fröjdh, Managing Director, Unwire, phone: 0708-50 00 77, e-mail: gunnar@unwire.se ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1999/03/22/19990322BIT00430/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1999/03/22/19990322BIT00430/bit0002.pdf