Car tracking for everyone

• CarNet, produced by SGS and T-Mobile, available for as little as CZK 199 per month
• Monitoring - navigation - protection
• Data obtained can be easily used for effective management of a car fleet

Prague, 14 February 2005 - When buying a car, almost everybody thinks about how to protect it from potential theft. Complicated and expensive vehicle tracking systems are installed in luxury cars. T-Mobile and SGS are introducing a new system called CarNet which is also available for owners of less expensive cars. The system combines the advantages of a GSM network and the satellite-based global positioning system (GPS).

Until recently, the prices of such systems amounted to tens of thousands of crowns and the installation and administration of these systems were quite complicated and therefore they were used mainly by only large transportation companies. The CarNet equipment, however, costs only CZK 7,999 in total and the monthly fee for operation is only CZK 199. When signing a fixed-term contract, this initial price is subsidized, thus totaling to CZK 999, and is paid in the increased monthly fee charged for using the service. "For this price, CarNet will also pay off in small and mid-sized vehicles such as the Škoda Fabia," says Jiří Zerzáň, technical director at SGS.

According to police statistics, 23,133 car thefts were reported and only 3,509 of these cases were solved. The number of vehicles returned to their owners was even lower. "Nowadays, thieves can overcome practically any security system in a vehicle so it is virtually impossible to prevent thefts. The CarNet solution increases the chance of apprehending the thief and returning the vehicle to its owner. The security system is discreet and you practically cannot hide from a mobile signal," explains Jaroslav Macnar of T-Mobile.

The CarNet system consists of equipment containing a GSM controlling unit with a SIEMENS module and GPS antenna and software through which it is possible to track vehicles. The in-car equipment can also be complemented by a PDA terminal which will convert into a navigation system upon recording map materials. "Other features can be added to our system so that it serves not only for the purposes of transmission of positioning data but also for obtaining other information on the vehicle's status. Naturally, it is possible to use it to increase the protection of cars against theft," explains J. Zerzáň. The equipment is designed in such a manner so as to ensure the easiest installation and operation possible. Installation can be performed in any service center and takes approximately one hour.

The CarNet system is used by various companies, including small and mid-sized companies with a lower number of company cars, as they can easily monitor their cars and thus make their use more effective. "There is a wide range of systems allowing the monitoring of a car's location; nevertheless, the combination of GSM technology and GPS at a relatively low price makes this service, which has so far been used practically only by companies, accessible to private car owners," adds J. Macnar.

Using the Carnet system, companies can easily monitor all their vehicles and analyze the obtained data for the purposes of optimizing regular routes, for example. Drivers of such cars will certainly welcome the fact that they do not have to fill in the mileage book, as it can be created by the system automatically. "Companies can propose better routes for their representatives and obtain an ideal overview of their travels and efficiency of the use of working hours. Companies providing services know exactly where their technicians are and can thus better organize their transfers to other locations. In any case, efficiency of the use of company cars increases and any possible misuse is restricted," says J. Zerzáň who supports his statement with figures obtained from a survey conducted by the professional magazine FLEET firemní automobily in January 2004. The annual savings related to the operation of one company car were, according to this magazine, approximately CZK 55,000. This amount includes fuel and operating costs, as well as traveling allowance. In the case of such low investment and operating costs of the system, CarNet pays for itself in two or three months.

"We strive to offer the best solutions in the area of mobile communications and we are pleased when companies such as SGS use our network to provide innovative value-added services which are accepted by the market," adds Jiří Hájek. T-Mobile operates a special portal called T-Mobile Developers (http://developers.t-mobile.cz) intended for companies which want to co-operate in the development of new solutions using the T-Mobile network. So-called partner solutions have a great potential as they can result in new ways of using mobile communications.

Note: The prices do not include 19% VAT.

SGS, a.s.
SGS, a.s. specializes in the development, production and sale of telecommunications equipment for monitoring, controlling and operating industry devices. The company supplies comprehensive solutions for reading and transmission of monitored physical quantities, their central collection, systems for remote monitoring and control of technological processes using the GSM networks of mobile operators and the GPRS service. The company provides its customers with telecommunications and consultancy services in the area of mobile communications and data collection in more than 20,000 devices. All supplied devices are based on the top-class technology of Siemens communication modules. SGS, a.s. is a Solution Partner of T-Mobile. For more information about the company and its products, visit ww.sgs-system.cz or www.sledovaniaut.cz.

Contact for journalists:

Projekt CarNet
Ing. Jiří Zerzáň, Technical Director
Member of the Board of Directors of SGS, a.s.
Jaktáře 1475, 686 05 Uherské Hradiště
Tel: +420 572 433 102
Mobil: +420 737 277 102
E-mail: jiri.zerzan@sgs-system.cz

SYNOT Holding
Ing. Vladimíra Pavlíčková
Spokesperson for SYNOT holding
Mobil: +420 602 252 609
E-mail: vladimira.pavlickova@synot.cz

T-Mobile Czech Republic, a member of the international telecommunications group Deutsche Telekom, has almost 6.2 million customers, the number-one operator in the Czech market. T-Mobile is an integrated operator: in addition to telecommunications services, it offers comprehensive ICT solutions not only for companies, but also for other organizations and individuals. It provides outstanding services in the high-speed network, which was proved repeatedly by benchmark testing performed by umlaut (former P3) with Best-in-Test seal.

T-Mobile Czech Republic places emphasis on taking a responsible approach to the environment and society. It adheres to fair business practices, helps beneficial applications and services to see the light of day, supports non-profit organizations, small businesses and individuals, and lends a helping hand whenever crisis situations arise. The company’s employees serve as volunteers in many places across the entire Czech Republic.

More information about the company is available at www.t-mobile.cz, www.t-press.cz (the portal for journalists) and www.t-mobile.cz/pomahame (information on the company’s CSR activities).

Contact details of the press unit: press@t-press.cz.