Those who use navigation services when you are driving inside the SMART Tunnel in Kuala Lumpur may experience connectivity issues due to the nature of having bad reception underground. However, U Mobile, one of the several Malaysian telecommunication providers, has partnered with Waze and SMART Tunnel (Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel) to make GPS connectivity possible for all drivers commuting through the world’s longest dual purpose tunnel. So if you are using their services, you should be able to drive through the SMART tunnel without losing your Waze navigation service.
According to U Mobile, those using the SMART Tunnel while using Waze, you no longer have to worry about getting lost or taking the wrong exit in the area, thanks to the installation of Bluetooth®-enabled hardware devices known as Waze Beacons. These transmission beacons enable seamless connectivity and uninterrupted navigation even in areas where there is limited GPS signal reception through the emission of wireless signals that guide navigation apps. From what we have heard, this service is provided to all users of the SMART Tunnel and not only limited to U Mobile customers. Of course, you need to use Waze to benefit from this technology.
However, make sure your Bluetooth services are engaged to be able to do so. To ensure undisrupted navigation in the SMART tunnel, drivers simply have to enable their Bluetooth® connections on their devices. As of today, almost 240 Waze Beacons have been installed along the 5.2km road tunnel so if you have Bluetooth engaged on your smartphone, it will switch to Bluetooth while inside the tunnel so that your Waze still works properly. The system basically uses both your phone data services via the usual 3G, 4G or 5G signals coupled to either WiFi or in this case Bluetooth to feed data to your smartphone. Things are super easy these days.
Jasmine Lee, U Mobile’s Chief Marketing Officer states that this new feature was installed just before the Movement Control Order came into effect It should make the drive in the tunnel much more convenient. She added, “U Mobile is a firm believer in unleashing the unlimited potential of technology, be it 5G trials, 4G network expansion or service innovation. This latest partnership with Waze and SMART Tunnel has made U Mobile the first telco in the world to power uninterrupted GPS navigation in a tunnel. With Waze’s Beacons technology, all mobile device users, regardless of which telco service they are subscribed to, will now be able to leverage on the full features of Waze uninterrupted throughout the tunnel.”
“Waze has always been about more than just giving people driving directions - we’re about solving transportation challenges and making roads better together. With 30,000 commuters using the SMART Tunnel daily, we’re happy to collaborate with U Mobile and SMART to ease traffic congestion and reduce drivers’ hesitation and confusion caused by signal loss,” says Kelvin Sim, Waze Malaysia Country Lead.
Gil Disatnik, Waze engineer and Global Lead of the Waze Beacons programme said, “We are excited to bring the Waze Beacons programme to the SMART Tunnel, the very first double decker tunnel in the world to be fitted with Waze Beacons to provide seamless navigation to commuters in Malaysia. Tunnel safety is a very important topic and with better visibility, as well as traffic flow into, through and out of the tunnel, we can help to ensure safer road conditions for all. We look forward to expanding the Waze Beacons programme to other areas in Malaysia and across Southeast Asia.”
“With the Waze Beacons installed in the SMART Tunnel, our users’ travel experience will become smoother and more convenient as they will enjoy uninterrupted GPS navigation and are able to share real-time information that may translate to updates on traffic conditions and proposed directions. Users will also be able to get updates on traffic jams, road closures or accidents that may have happened inside the tunnel and its surroundings, enhancing drivers’ safety as well,” said Mohd Noor Mohd Ali, Chief Operating Officer of SMART.
To use the service, all Waze users in the SMART Tunnel will be prompted to turn on Bluetooth to enjoy uninterrupted GPS navigation. For more information on this service, head over to www.u.com.my
U Mobile customers subscribed to Unlimited Mobile Internet (UMI), U28, P38 and P48 plans enjoy free data for Waze, whilst those on unlimited data plans such as GX30, GX38, GX50, GX68, P79, P99 and P139 enjoy Waze without ever having to worry about their data running out.
No comments:
Post a Comment