Sprint Velocity Expands Connected Vehicle Services for Automakers with Sprint Velocity Connect

Sprint Velocity Connect has official debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show, providing automakers with new ways to serve their customers

LOS ANGELES & OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (BUSINESS WIRE), November 19, 2013 – Sprint (NYSE:S, news, filings) announced today that its Sprint Velocity^SM business unit is entering a second year of operations with expanded capabilities for automotive manufacturers, including the official automotive debut of Sprint Velocity Connect.

With this expansion, Sprint Velocity, a global end-to-end telematics solution, is now available for more vehicles than ever before. Sprint is showcasing Sprint Velocity at the Connected Car Expo, which is a specialty exhibition within the Los Angeles Auto Show (LAAS).

“With more than 14 million vehicles sold in the United States yearly, auto manufacturers are in a constant race to bring the newest, most versatile and technology-packed products to market,” said Ben Vos, vice president and general manager, Sprint Emerging Solutions. “Sprint Velocity makes it easier for automakers to win that race by offering the most advanced connected services available today, supported by unsurpassed telematics integration and consumer-focused resources that can translate into increased revenues and stronger customer loyalty.”

Simplified and accelerated development for automakers

Sprint Velocity Connect is an expanded capability that supports additional hardware on the Sprint Velocity platform, including TCUs (Telematics Control Units), OBD-II (On-Board Diagnostic) devices and embedded in-dash head units. The Sprint Velocity platform enables this connectivity through its open, cloud-based architecture with standard machine-to-machine interfaces. As a result, Sprint can customize solutions to each automaker’s specific needs and then deploy those solutions either before or after a vehicle is sold. This ensures automakers can deploy connected services that conform to their exact specifications and are no longer limited to off-the-shelf solutions that may involve more or fewer features than they require.

With access to the Sprint Velocity platform, vehicle manufacturers can streamline the design and development process, simplify the integration of complex components, and simplify the management of ecosystem partners. Developed by Sprint’s award-winning IT team, Sprint Velocity Connect brings numerous additional benefits to auto manufacturers, including:

• flexibility to deliver telematics services; whether embedded, brought in phone, a hybrid of both, or now, with Sprint Velocity Connect devices
• elimination of multiple points of potential failure and reduction in the number of handoffs, while improving extensibility and scaling
• reduced cost, complexity and cycle times

In addition to these advantages, automakers have continued access to Sprint Velocity capabilities, such as subscription management, storefront, policy management and billing.

Sprint Velocity Connect opens the way for automakers to explore innovative ways to serve their customers. Some potential applications for automotive manufacturers could include:

• Fleet Management: Vehicle manufacturers could help fleet operators easily adopt value-added services provided by the manufacturer at any time after the vehicles are purchased. This includes applications that track and monitor vehicle locations, improve dispatch and routing, evaluate driving behaviors, and more efficiently manage vehicle maintenance.
• Rental Car Features: Automakers might offer rental car companies the opportunity to learn more about the status of their cars, such as distance traveled and vehicle maintenance needs.
• Dealership Sales: Auto manufacturers could consider using Sprint Velocity Connect to add services for its dealership network, including new ways to differentiate previously owned vehicles with connected services.

As part of the expanded Sprint Velocity Connect capability, CalAmp is the first provider of an easy-to-install device that plugs directly into the standard vehicle interface. CalAmp is a leader in providing wireless communications solutions to a broad array of vertical market applications and customers. The CalAmp device will be able to access the power of the Sprint Velocity platform to deliver a variety of mobile services.

“We are pleased to be the first to integrate a device with Sprint Velocity Connect,” said Greg Gower, senior vice president and general manager of CalAmp’s Mobile Resource Management business. “By having an economical, plug-and-play, full-featured vehicle monitoring and tracking device tap the power of the Sprint Velocity platform, we can extract valuable vehicle data to enable a variety of mobile services. CalAmp’s wireless location and messaging unit is an ideal solution for automotive insurance, driver behavior management, auto rental, vehicle maintenance, warranty service, and other automotive applications that require direct access to vital vehicle performance data.”

#2 Global ranking and extended North American reach

With its expanded Sprint Velocity Connect capabilities, Sprint continues to change the conversation about mobile integration for automakers. Launched at the 2012 Los Angeles International Show, Sprint Velocity is already ranked 2^nd among the top 10 telecom operators in the worldwide automotive market, according to a study by Informa Telecoms & Media.

Sprint Velocity has further extended its North American presence through a new agreement with Rogers Communications Inc. to provide end-to-end connectivity in Canada. Auto manufacturers can be assured that Sprint Velocity features will be available to more than 20 million vehicles on the road throughout Canada. Rogers is Canada’s largest wireless network operator by number of subscribers.

Sprint has been connecting customers around the globe for more than a decade. The company couples in-region staff with established partner network agreements to ensure that automakers have seamless connectivity, with a support system built on an intimate knowledge of local market dynamics.

Combining telematics, consumer and data analysis expertise

Sprint brings decades of experience in transportation applications and the management of subscription-based customer relationships. Operating as a separate business unit within Sprint, Sprint Velocity delivers value to automakers by combining telematics integration with the company’s intense level of expertise in wireless customer experience, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), and wireless applications on a global basis.

Sprint Velocity also brings a wealth of expertise in data analysis. The Sprint Velocity team will collaborate with automakers to analyze usage trends and other connected services data, which can be used to make product improvements, reduce operation costs, and potentially increase revenue opportunities.

“Our value proposition is built on connecting the dots between the complex elements involved in connected services and providing a complete, simplified set of solutions for auto manufacturers,” said Vos. “By understanding the mobile customer and how they use the technology, Sprint Velocity is developing and deploying big ideas that demonstrate what is possible with connected vehicles.”

Designed to be open and flexible, the Sprint Velocity platform offers various connectivity options, management of content partners for seamless integration, and back office support, such as billing and care. The solution is compatible with embedded in-dash, smartphone and hybrid embedded/smartphone implementations. Automakers can opt for comprehensive end-to-end solutions or modular a la carte solutions that are scalable as their needs evolve.

Sprint Velocity received numerous awards in its first year of operation, including Pipeline magazine’s 2013 Innovation Award for Innovation in Connectivity, the 2013 Telematics Update Industry Newcomer of the Year Award, and M2M Evolution magazine’s 2012 Product of the Year.

View Sprint Velocity video.

About Sprint

Sprint (NYSE:S) offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint served more than 54 million customers at the end of the third quarter of 2013 and is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including the first wireless 4G service from a national carrier in the United States; offering industry-leading mobile data services, leading prepaid brands including Virgin Mobile USA, Boost Mobile, and Assurance Wireless; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. The American Customer Satisfaction Index rated Sprint as the most improved company in customer satisfaction, across all 47 industries, during the last five years. You can learn more and visit Sprint at www.sprint.com or www.facebook.com/sprint and www.twitter.com/sprint.

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