DENVER-Ford Motor Co. has allied with Sprint PCS to offer voice-activated wireless communications and Internet telemetry services to certain 2001 model Ford vehicles.
According to the agreement, Sprint’s network will carry the in-vehicle communications and information services to Ford’s 2001 Lincoln models.
The new system will include an integrated, portable Motorola StarTac dual-mode phone designed specifically for Ford’s telematics services-the Remote Emergency Satellite Cellular Unit safety system. The Sprint deal enhances the RESCU system to give users the ability to make calls and access Sprint’s Wireless Web features through voice activation, Sprint PCS said.
Sprint PCS believes revenues from data and telematics could be in the billions. The carrier has been working on telematics solutions for the last 18 months and is looking to hook up with a number of car makers.
While analysts have hailed the huge opportunities in telematics for car makers and the industry, car manufacturers have been slow to incorporate such technology. Doug Pritt, vice president of business development with Sprint PCS, said the problem lies with car makers trying to incorporate the technology into cars. Once the cars are introduced, the market for the technology changes, he said.
