IDEMIA is trying to give smart vehicle owners more flexibility when it comes to their preferred in-car services. To that end, the company has unveiled a new DAKOTA eSIM card that will give drivers the ability to choose their own mobile network provider, regardless of their vehicle.
Like its predecessors, the new DAKOTA v4.2.1 NG (New Generation) is built with a SLI37 chip from Infineon, and is compliant with the GSMA’s standards for connected vehicles. The DAKOTA Operating System is able to support 5G utilities, and can therefore be used to deliver a wide range of in-car infotainment features.
In that regard, connected technology is increasingly being used to enhance multiple aspects of the in-car experience, from basic navigation all the way through to payments and subscription services. Manufacturers can integrate the DAKOTA NG directly into a vehicle’s telematics unit, and drivers can then select a wireless plan and provider based on their own criteria.
As a result, IDEMIA will make the process of buying a new car similar to that of buying a smartphone, a smartwatch, or some other connected device, in the sense that a vehicle make and model will not tie anyone to one specific service provider. People will instead be able to choose the car they want, and then find the plan that best meets their needs.
“The consumer connectivity market has evolved over the last decade as many now consider their vehicle as an extension of their digital lives,” said IDEMIA Automotive SVP Philippe de Oliveira. “Expectation for high quality connectivity and control over their personal digital services is in high demand. We are excited about our latest offer which addresses this demand and growth of an on-board personalized user experience.”
“IDEMIA’s new product will help securely drive transformation in the connected car market, enabling car makers to safely give drivers and their passengers new connectivity experiences,” added GSMA Chief Engineer Ian Pannell.
The GSMA approved the 3.4 version of the DAKOTA NG for use in connected cars back in November. The IDEMIA offering was the first eSIM product to obtain formal GSMA approval for connected vehicles, though manufacturers have already shipped millions of vehicles with older versions of the DAKOTA solution. IDEMIA has also partnered with Microsoft to help build the infrastructure needed to sustain modern eSIM networks.
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