Read the full M2M Now blog post here!

Telenor Connexion is a dedicated member and committed to future-proof embedded solutions for the connected car. Representing Telenor Connexion in this forum is Andrea Sroczynski.

Learn more about the Connected Car Forum in this infomercial!

The GSMA firmly supports the European Parliaments resolution on eCall and wishes to actively encourage greater co-operation amongst all stakeholders for successful deployment.

GSMA webinar on Pan European eCall

So how is it that the former President of the United States of America, Bill Clinton, and George LeBron, some wireless guy at a Scandinavian company, Telenor Connexion, have some sort of connection? There are two main reasons.

First, President Clinton indicated that the wireless industry is a remarkable example of what works in life, as the industry has established “Creative networks of cooperation”. This has led to incredible societal growth and advancements throughout the world. Likewise, Telenor Connexion has established partnerships of cooperation around the world to offer solutions to problems our clients have encountered over the years. We are all benefitting from this.

Second, President Clinton stated that what doesn’t work in society are “the systems that got societies where they are, become too rigid”. Hearing this point took me back only a few hours to a meeting I had with James Brehm, Senior Strategist at Compass Intelligence. During my meeting with James, he asked who do we engage with, and are we growing. My response was “James, at Telenor Connexion we are engaging with those in the market that have implemented solutions that are too rigid, and therefore need a scalable solution.  We also engage with those that strive for flexibility. Our solutions are providing our clients with a market advantage. We find ourselves quietly gaining momentum in the marketplace.” I can’t help but wonder if President Clinton would have felt a connection with my answer. I have a feeling he would have.

CNET review: Bill Clinton: Learn from the wireless industry

Yes, it’s definitely true that a dormant SIM signals less in the GSM networks. One downside from an OEM perspective, however, is that a dormant SIM by definition will have limited service possibilities and only allow for support  of the basic eCall service -  what we in GSMA call “vanilla eCall”. The limited service occurs because it’s impossible to contact a dormant SIM using outside resources. With a dormant SIM installed in a vehicle any service needs to be initiated from inside of the car (for example when the car crashes).

Some may not have considered though that the real convenience related to Dormant SIM is for the consumer. Because a Dormant SIM does not signal at all until it performs an eCall, it means there is no location information available about the vehicle until the crash or emergency call is placed. If you use a signaling SIM instead the terminal inside the consumers’ vehicle gives away location information to the GSM network it’s attached too periodically. And information will be available every time the terminal performs a handover, i.e. changing cellular coverage. This would allow others to easily track the location of the vehicle – unknowingly to the driver, and would be a breach of his or her privacy.

Do we really think this is a feature that consumers want?

I would say no. We, and I, as a consumer don’t want that! We as consumers should demand the use of dormant SIM for eCall – unless we have agreed to subscribe to additional telematics services.

Maybe the name “dormant SIM” is a bit misleading….it’s actually more like an invisible SIM from a consumer perspective. And it was with the consumer in mind that the GSMA created the concept. A reduction in the overall signaling in GSM networks is only an extra benefit.

// Fredric Liljeström

Read the full M2M Now blog post here!