Celcom and Gigalink in pact to provide M2M connectivity for taxi commuters

• Ads, news and events updates to be broadcasted in taxis in real time
• Smartaxiads installed in 500 taxis, with 1,000 more to get it

CELCOM Axiata Bhd said it has entered into a partnership with Gigalink Solutions Sdn Bhd to provide M2M (machine-to-machine) solutions that would enable taxis to deliver targeted digital media content to passengers.
 
This would be done through Smartaxiads, which provides mobile digital advertising through tablet-sized panels installed at the driver’s and front passenger’s headrests in a taxi. A mini router will be installed inside of the headrests, which are also connected to the taxis’ meters.
 
When the taxi meter starts running, 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 updates on events happening around city.
 
Mobile broadband connectivity is provided through Celcom’s M2M solutions via a special customised dongle, the telco said in a statement.
 
Future enhancement to the Smartaxiads will include interactive applications and a panic button on the tablet for passenger safety.
 
The partnership with Gigalink Solutions, a recipient of the New Technology Innovation grant from the Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC), demonstrates its commitment to provide the best end-to-end solutions to meet the needs of businesses, Celcom said.
 
The Celcom M2M platform integrates 3G (Third Generation) connectivity with a hosted digital media platform that enables advertisements, news and events updates to be broadcasted in taxis in real time whenever and wherever the taxis are within ‘Celcom Fastest Territory’ areas.
 
“As a pioneer in M2M solutions, we are diversifying our services as the market matures with the dynamic change,” said Afizulazha Abdullah, Celcom Axiata chief business services and solutions officer.
 
“We are supporting local entrepreneurs … and simultaneously leveraging on this platform to offer enhanced customer experience,” he added.
 
Afizulazha said that in the future, taxi passengers will be able to enjoy a full multimedia experience including next-generation touchscreen and interactive content whilst simultaneously using WiFi powered by Celcom’s 4G LTE (Fourth Generation/ Long-Term Evolution) network throughout their journey, by just paying the taxi fare.
 
“We applaud Celcom’s commitment in supporting us to promote the adoption of technologies by local companies,” said MTDC chief executive officer Norhalim Yunus.
 
“We hope more government-linked companies alike will come forward and assist in commercialising local inventions,” he added.
 
MTDC is a government-owned venture capital firm specialising in seed, startup, and early stage financing.
 
Celcom said it has installed its M2M solutions in 500 taxis and will install them in another 1,000 taxis, but did not give a time-frame.
 
Smartaxiads will also be launched in Indonesia and is expected to adopt similar M2M solutions provided by PT XL Axiata Tbk, the Axiata Group’s operating company in Indonesia.
 
“We are grateful that we made the right choice of partnering Celcom and we want to commend Celcom on the innovative M2M solutions provided to us,” said Gigalink Solutions chief executive officer Muhammad Reduan Abd Lah Sani.
 
In April, Celcom also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Volksbahn Technologies Sdn Bhd to enable connectivity for customers during their daily commute on Klang Valley’s LRT and monorail services, and adjacent areas.
 
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