To: WR who wrote (9436 ) 1/10/2000 7:18:00 PM From: David Wiggins Read Replies (2) | Respond to
Interesting Article Re: GM and Vodafone(probably),G* possibly: GM, Partner to Seek Millions of Cellular Customers (Update1)cnetinvestor.com .cellular services that extend beyond the confines of a car and into the home and workplace. The scope far exceeds GM's current OnStar communications and satellite-based navigation system , whose subscriber base is projected to rise to 3 million in a few years from 100,000 now. The companies will begin tapping that customer base to sell traditional cellular services this year and more advanced services as they become available , said Mark Hogan, group vice president for e-GM, the carmaker's Internet business unit. we can help you anywhere you are,' Hogan said in an interview at the Detroit auto show . He wouldn't identify the company with whom he's talking, other than to say ``you have to think it's got to be a big carrier to be able to handle this.' Vodafone AirTouch , Nextel Communications Inc. and Sprint Corp.'s PCS Group. Spokesman for Sprint PCS and Vodafone declined to comment. A Nextel spokesman said only that the company's phones and a laptop are being shown in a prototype GM truck, and AT&T couldn't immediately be reached.OnStar is built around global positioning systems that track a vehicle's location , GM is wagering it will have a leg up as rapid advances in technology lead to phones, computers and other wireless devices that a user carries from home to work to leisure activities.GM will start offering such services in 12 to 24 months as it moves to build OnStar into vehicles at the factory , instead of having it as a dealer-installed option.Because it uses satellites to track vehicles with pinpoint accuracy , OnStar can direct police and medical personnel to the exact location of accident. Drivers seeking the same help with cellular phones sometimes aren't certain where they are and may be routed to 911 emergency operators in the wrong cities.
