(Viasat BluBox telematics device. Source Viasat.)
Viasat Group (Turin, Italy) a provider of telematics products and services to fleet and insurance industries, has signed a three-year, multi-million Euro contract for Orange Business Services (Amsterdam) to supply a global Internet of Things (IoT) roaming services for up to 350,000 SIM cards. Orange IoT connectivity will allow Viasat to provide global coverage across a number of markets, for services that include insurance, fleet, security and safety, and telematics.
Helmut Reisinger, executive VP, International, Orange Business Services.
“Our telematics solutions need global coverage to provide a complete service for our customers in the fleet and insurance industries,” comments Massimo Getto, VP and CFO, Viasat Group. “Among our partners, we selected Orange Business Services for IoT connectivity because of their wide coverage, flat rate pricing across the EU and comprehensive international support,” said.”
Viasat specializes in the design, manufacture and supply of telematics products and services whose systems incorporate on-board telematics and satellite tracking information technologies.
Orange provides what the firm characterizes as robust IoT connectivity that allows Viasat’s remote telematics boxes to send and receive data, SMS and voice. Combined with a satellite positioning service, using Orange’s capabilities Viasat is able to provide a comprehensive insurance solution. The SIM cards are roaming-enabled, which provides global coverage, and are reinforced to withstand vibration and high temperatures.
Dedicated IoT portal
Orange also provides an IoT management platform that allows Viasat customers to manage and update their own SIM cards. The portal allows for a range of options, including ordering, suspending and reactivating SIMs, setting alarms on data consumption, and blocking SIM cards if data thresholds are crossed. The platform can also be integrated with the customer’s back-end system to provide detailed reports and retrieve billing information.
The Orange IoT connectivity will allow Viasat’s customers all over the world to take full advantage of the range of services offered, improving the quality of the driving experience, according to an Orange statement. The vendor says this will translate into increased safety for the occupants of the vehicles and for the vehicles itself. The extra security will also lower the average costs of insurance premiums.
“Viasat needed multi-roaming capabilities to cover 100 per cent of its markets and an international partner with global reach and support, capable of managing a very high number of SIM cards,” comments Helmut Reisinger, executive VP, International, Orange Business Services. “With our full-service Datavenue offer, we can contribute to an improved driver experience, all while supporting Viasat’s business.”
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