Another Swedish company soon will be competing for America’s wireless business.
Satsafe AB, based in Stockholm, said it plans to expand its mobile data communication and global positioning system-based services beyond Europe and enter the U.S. market this year.
Since its inception in the spring of 1998, Satsafe has focused on developing systems to locate, track and transmit large amounts of data from mobile units. The company also develops security and alarm applications for mobile units.
Before entering the U.S. market, however, Satsafe must first overcome the technological incompatibilities of its equipment. Most of Europe uses Global System for Mobile communications technology, and Satsafe’s systems are configured to work with that standard.
“This next quarter we will work to adapt to other types of standards,” said Peter Hjorth, vice president of international business development for Satsafe.
In 1999, San Francisco-based venture capitalist Kjell Spanberg and London-based private equity firm Arkwright Capital Partner became shareholders in the company. Since then, Satsafe has focused on implementing reference installations and developing strategic partnerships with carriers, insurance companies and security and alarm centers.
Hjorth said the company has satellite offices in Norway and Germany, and plans to establish another office in Boston in the coming months to springboard the company into the United States.
Satsafe’s business idea is to operate as a system supplier and application developer in its focus areas, and sell its applications through carriers and system integrators.
The company markets its products to three main groups-vehicle fleet owners, mobile service organizations and consumers.
In the area of GPS-based fleet management, Hjorth acknowledged the company is going to encounter stiff competition in the United States from companies like Qualcomm Inc. and its OmniTracs automatic vehicle location system, which is widely used.
For this reason, Hjorth said the company plans to focus more on its personal security alarm and in-vehicle mobile communication devices, much like those used in the OnStar system offered by General Motors. Hjorth said Trimble Navigation Ltd. in Sunnyvale, Calif., already has expressed interest in its personal security product.
