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WirelessDevNet.com Press Release
BT Redcare Auto-txt Can Immobilise Car Crime With Wireless Technology
BT redcare is entering the vehicle-security market by launching the first system combining Bluetooth wireless technology, advanced car electronics and satellite navigation to fight vehicle theft.
BT redcare auto-txt is one of the first vehicle-security products to be awarded the new industry Category 5 standard, launched by Thatcham1 yesterday (Monday, September 27) to combat the rise in car thefts using the owner’s key. British Crime Survey statistics show that 53 per cent of thefts of cars under six years old involve the car key2.
Developed with RDM Automotive, BT redcare auto-txt uses the latest in tracking technology to enable the fast recovery of stolen vehicles. The system monitors and tracks a vehicle in order to identify when it is moved without authorisation. It is the first to use Bluetooth technology so that the car driver can activate the system independently of the car key.
In line with the new Thatcham standard, BT redcare auto-txt is designed to tackle car key crime by providing a proactive monitoring defence against theft. To meet Category 5 all approved systems must assist the recovery of stolen vehicles.
BT redcare auto-txt uses mobile technology to tell BT’s “Secure Operating Centre” when the vehicle has moved without authorisation. The Secure Operating Centre informs the owner that the car has moved and can liaise with the police to arrange for the vehicle’s ignition to be disabled when parked3[Unp1] to enable its fast recovery. Using the system a car can be tracked across 27 EU countries.
Jon Furmston, managing director, BT redcare, said: “Category 5 is a major step forward in car security, by putting modern, wireless technology at the centre of vehicle recovery.
“BT redcare has developed a product that meets the standard in every way. The combination of advanced in-car electronics, satellite tracking and Bluetooth technology is a unique defence against car crime and a new application for the mobile market. And is an example of the innovation that is driving BT towards its target of £1billion annual revenue from mobility and convergence in five years.
“Using the latest wireless technologies to their best advantage, BT redcare auto-txt represents a new generation in vehicle security. It provides peace-of-mind for the car owner and reduces risk for the insurance industry.
“We are very excited to announce this service today, especially as it is one of the first to receive Category 5 accreditation.
“We are currently in talks with a number of car manufacturers about fitting BT redcare auto-txt on their top range vehicles. We will have more news on this soon.”
Thatcham launched the new standard at the BT Tower in London yesterday (September 27, 2004). Category 5 has been designed specifically to tackle the rise in car key thefts.
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) and Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) have supported the new standard.
Andrew Miller, director of Research for insurance research centre, Thatcham, said: “Insurers task Thatcham with devising ways of protecting their policy holder’s vehicles, Category 5 follows in a long line of highly successful initiatives from Thatcham that has seen car theft cut by half in the last ten years.
“Cat 5 will move detection and recovery rates to a level of sophistication which the criminal community will find difficult to counter and we are delighted to announce BT redcare auto-txt is amongst the first systems to meet the new standard.”
The launch of BT redcare auto-txt is the latest innovation developed within BT Retail’s corporate venturing activity. BT redcare is one of BT Retail’s 16 ventures set up to foster growth, innovation and speed to market. BT redcare worked with RDM Automotive to bring auto-txt to market.
Ian Bull, CEO of BT Enterprises, the unit which runs BT’s corporate venturing programme, said: “As BT’s traditional markets have developed, we have also evolved to create opportunities in new markets and deliver new revenue streams.
“Our corporate venturing activity is a key part of this and our 16 venture businesses, including BT redcare, have all been selected by BT to deliver rapid revenue growth across a variety of sectors, including vehicle security.
“Today is proof of how successful this strategy is for BT. Together with RDM Automotive we are one of the first companies to come to market with a Category 5 approved product – this is an excellent achievement.”
For more information contact Leslie King at BT on 020 7356 5383, e-mail: leslie.king@bt.com
or
Kath Williams on 020 7839 4321, e-mail: kathryn.williams@fishburn-hedges.co.uk
A BT redcare auto-txt factsheet is also available, providing further details on how the system works. Please e-mail Kath Williams for further information.
Alternatively inquiries about this news release can be made to the BT Group Newsroom on its 24-hour number: 020 7356 5369. From outside the UK dial + 44 20 7356 5369.
For more information about BT redcare auto-txt visit: www.redcare.bt.com/auto-txt
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