GSM Positioning System Enables Instant Vehicle Tracking
Tracking and recovery of stolen vehicles and other valuable goods can now be carried out quicker and more reliably with a new wireless positioning system. Using the existing GSM cellular networks, CellPoint Systems' positioning technology is designed for fleet and asset management, security, tracking, rental services, emergency services, insurance applications and more. The system, which is believed to be a world first of its kind, has been in commercial operation in South Africa for more than 20 months. It has now been launched on the world market by CellPoint Systems AB of Stockholm, Sweden.
CellPoint's technology is based on a specially designed, compact GSM terminal which can easily be hidden in a car, truck or container. The terminal transmits a digital signal which makes it possible to instantly locate the vehicle or asset through the existing GSM radio network. The vehicle or asset's position is displayed graphically as a point on a computerized map. Tracking, positioning and recovery services can be accessed and controlled by customers through an open interface, supporting standard Internet, wireless, or networked interfacing."Because the system uses the existing GSM radio network, vehicles and other assets can be located even if they are inside buildings, containers, trucks, in urban canyons or under bridges - places where there is normally GSM coverage but not necessarily GPS coverage. In South Africa, the number of stolen cars which have been recovered has increased dramatically from approximately 15 per cent to 91 per cent when our positioning technology is installed", says Mr. Peter Henricsson, President and CEO at CellPoint Systems AB.
First installation
The technology does not require any modification of the cellular operator's existing base station hardware or software, which means that these value added services can be offered with very low initial investments.
The Swedish cellular operator, Comviq, has recently signed an agreement to test an installation of CellPoint's GSM positioning technology and can subsequently become the first operator outside South Africa to enable and offer this new service.
"Comviq has been actively pursuing commercially viable GSM positioning solutions for more than a year. CellPoint's solution, with its proven track record, will allow our company to launch a strategic set of value added service offerings for Fleet Management, Asset Management, Insurance, Vehicle Tracking and Recovery", says Ulf Baldhagen, Program Manager at Comviq GSM AB in Stockholm, Sweden.
CellPoint's positioning technology was originally developed by a South African company, Wasp International (Pty) Ltd. The system already has more than 15,000 terminal units installed in South Africa, where it is being marketed by Matrix Vehicle Tracking and Wasp, which both participate in CellPoint's ownership. CellPoint was formed to market this GSM positioning technology to the rest of the world and initially plans to rapidly expand installations with other European GSM operators to cover all of Europe in 1998.
Caption: CellPoint's GSM Positioning technology allows for tracking and recovery of vehicles and other objects using the existing GSM cellular network. The GSM technology makes it possible to locate objects even if they are inside buildings or in urban canyons.
Technical information:
GT-1 Terminal: GSM 900 MHz Phase 2 (Class 4),
2-Watt output power
Communication: Via SMS MO/MT
Oper. voltage: 12 V DC
Battery: Internal battery provides 24 hours of back up
Dimensions: 100 x 85 x 33 mm
CellPoint Systems AB is a wholly owned subsidiary of Technor International Inc., a publicly traded company on the NASD OTC Electronic Bulletin Board under the symbol TNOR. The company focuses on the worldwide application of technologies for digital cellular positioning systems. The digital cellular technology, known as Global Systems for Mobile Communications (GSM), serves more than 41 million users in Europe and more than 66 million users worldwide.
For further information, please contact:
CellPoint Systems AB
Peter Henricsson, President and CEO
Lynn Duplessis, Director of Marketing
Industrivägen 2, S-191 62 Sollentuna, Sweden
Tel: +46 8 5882 3000, fax: +46 8 5882 3001
E-mail: info@cellpt.com, Internet: http://www.cellpt.com
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GSM Positioning System Enables Instant Vehicle Tracking
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