Celcom Axiata Berhad announced that it has installed its M2M (machine-to-machine) solutions for 500 taxis and is expected to install them in another 1,000 taxis. The service will enable taxis to deliver targeted digital media content to its passengers through Smartaxiads.
Smartaxiads is a mobile digital advertising provided through a tablet-size panels installed at the driver’s and front passenger’s headrests in a taxi. A mini-sized router will be installed inside of the headrests, which is also connected to the taxi meter. The mobile broadband connectivity is then provided through M2M solutions from Celcom via a special customised dongle.
At the start of the taxi meter, the broadband connectivity will be initiated and passengers will be served with a landing page, followed by displays of advertisement. However, once the meter is switched off, the advertisements stop and the tablet is turned off.
Aside from advertisements, taxi users can expect to see the latest updates on events happening around city. This sparks the start of improving the means of communication tools used, with local taxis becoming one such medium. Future enhancement to the Smartaxiads will include interactive applications and panic button on the tablet for passengers’ safety.
The Telco partnered with Gigalink Solutions Sdn Bhd for the service. Gigalink is a grant recipient of New Technology Innovation from the Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC).
Afizulazha Abdullah, Chief Business Services and Solutions Officer of Celcom Axiata Berhad said Celcom M2M platform integrates 3G connectivity with hosted digital media platform, which enables advertisements, news and events updates to be broadcasted in the taxis in real time continuously while on the move whenever and wherever the taxis are within Celcom Fastest Territory.
“As a pioneer and leader in M2M solutions, we are diversifying our services as the market matures with the dynamic change. We are supporting local entrepreneurs in their marketing convenience and business sustainability, and simultaneously leveraging on this platform to offer enhanced customer experience.
“This will efficiently enable our business partner to grow and have an “edge” in the market with our solutions, aside from enabling taxi passengers to enjoy wireless efficiency via fleet management services and the customisation that we offer,” he said adding that Celcom was proud to support local enterprises in their business growth.
He added that moving forward, taxi passengers can enjoy full multimedia experience including next generation touch screen and interactive content whilst simultaneously use WiFi powered by Celcom 4G LTE network throughout their journeys and by just paying for the taxi fares.
The connectivity provided by Celcom comes from M2M50 with flexibility to be attached with Fixed Internet Protocol (IP) address and Dedicated Access Point Name (APN) which allow the solution provider to monitor the connectivity and perform self-troubleshooting. M2M solutions from Celcom provides the flexibility for companies to do registrations via M2M Connected Services (MCS), which allows for the convenience to customise multiple registrations. Moreover, M2M solutions from Celcom is built-in with Location Base System (LBS) that can assist in detecting or tracking lost vehicles.
Smartaxiads will also be launched in Indonesia and is expected to adopt similar M2M solutions provided by PT XL Axiata Tbk, Axiata Group Berhad’s operating company in Indonesia.
