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SEATTLE, WA – August 26, 2008 – Airbiquity (www.airbiquity.com),
a leader in wireless communication solutions, today announced its new
connected services platform for Personal Navigation Devices (PNDs),
designed to make it easier and more cost-effective for PND manufacturers
to create and deliver innovative end-to-end connected services to their
customers.
Airbiquity’s aqLink™ data-over-voice in-band modem is a software-only
solution that, when combined with the company’s VIAaq™ managed data
service, gives PND manufacturers the ability to seamlessly enable
connectivity on their devices without additional hardware or a secondary
data subscription plan.
When connected to a user’s Bluetooth-enabled phone, an aqLink-enabled
PND becomes a real-time, two-way connected device, by sending encrypted
information over the voice channel of any cellular network, thus
eliminating the high cost of wireless connectivity or monthly
subscription plans. Airbiquity’s aqLink is the only service solution
that offers both data and voice integrated services, allowing users to
speak to live operators through their device and receive content in the
same call.
When used in tandem with Airbiquity’s VIAaq managed data service,
aqLink gives users the ability to access a number of voice and data
services, including live operator concierge services, real-time traffic,
local fuel prices, local weather information, local search of POIs and
business listings, send-to-car applications and security services like
SOS emergency service, roadside assistance and live car diagnostics.
"Connected navigation offerings will provide new innovation and
business opportunities for PND manufacturers and counter market
commoditization trends," said Thilo Koslowski, vice president and
automotive practice leader at Gartner Inc. "The key to successful
connectivity solutions lies in minimizing additional hardware and
subscription costs to ensure high market penetration. Leveraging a
consumer's cellular voice plan to deliver connected services and content
eliminates potential pricing barriers and accelerates market adoption."
“Connected PND solutions are the next evolution of location-based
content for the industry. Airbiquity is providing a solution that
removes many of the barriers that our research has shown to have slowed
mass-market adoption of connected services on PNDs to date, such as high
hardware and service costs for wireless connectivity and monthly
subscription plans,” said David Jumpa, Airbiquity’s senior vice
president of global business development. “Airbiquity’s new connected
services platform now enables PND manufacturers to deliver a rich, and
easy-to-use navigation experience without the traditional cost
barriers.”
The Airbiquity managed data services platform is designed for
flexibility. For instance, the open model allows a PND manufacturer to
pick and choose the specific content and providers they want to use in
their connected offerings.
“Airbiquity's experience and track record on the automotive OEM side
should be attractive to PND makers who want to offer end-to-end
connected services,” said Phil Magney, VP of automotive business
practice at TRG (now part of iSuppli). “Airbiquity can enable connected
solutions for PNDs over cellular networks without requiring a data plan.
This translates into lower costs for anyone looking to deploy telematics
or LBS services.”
About Airbiquity
Airbiquity provides wireless communications solutions that enable
product suppliers and service providers in the telematics, portable
navigation device (PND) and machine-to-machine (M2M) industries to
deliver wireless data reliably and ubiquitously. Used by some of the
largest automotive manufacturers in their telematics service offerings,
Airbiquity’s patented aqLink technology provides data communications
over digital wireless voice networks. VIAaq, Airbiquity’s turnkey
managed data service, provides seamless connectivity between service
providers and a vehicle or PND device for a relatively low cost of
entry. To learn more about Airbiquity, please visit their web site at
http://www.airbiquity.com/.
Airbiquity, aqLink and VIAaq are trademarks of Airbiquity Inc.
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CONTACT:
Meredith Kish
Hill and Knowlton
+1-212-885-0329
Meredith.Kish@hillandknowlton.com
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