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Volvo On call – Advanced Telematics To Aid Safety And Security

31 October 2005

‘Volvo On Call’ is an optional communications package available across the Volvo range¹ that includes valuable personal safety and security features to Volvo customers in need of assistance, 24 hours a day, almost anywhere in the UK. Whether involved in an accident, vehicle breakdown or theft, Volvo On Call uses the latest telematics technology to ensure help is always close at hand and immediately dispatched.

Working off an integrated GSM telephone with a built-in GPS unit for satellite navigation, the Volvo On Call system, with a built-in backup antenna, has been fully crash tested in the Volvo Safety Centre and designed to withstand immense crash force, yet still be fully functional.  With the extra backup battery, Volvo On Call can still be used even if the car’s standard power supply is disabled.

Safety
One of the key features that Volvo On Call offers as standard is added personal safety (and convenience). Using its own SIM card buried deep in the vehicle, Volvo On Call is one of the only systems of its kind linked directly to BT 999, so that if it detects an airbag being triggered in an accident it will automatically notify Emergency Services of the incident – and the vehicle's exact location. This function can also be operated manually, if required, by pushing a red dash-mounted ‘SOS’ button which puts you straight through to the Emergency Services.

Volvo On Call also helps if the vehicle develops a fault or assistance if needed.  A second button marked ‘On Call’ on the integrated phone in the car's dashboard contacts the Volvo On Call customer service centre, operated by Mondial the worldwide assistance providers, where staff are on hand 24 hours a day to request road side assistance and guide them to the car's precise location. Volvo will also be able to offer further concierge services and convenience features via this facility.

Security
Reaffirming Volvo’s recent achievement at the British Insurance Car Security Awards (BISCA), where for the second year running it won ‘Best Manufacturer’, Volvo On Call also offers optional security features, such as being able to remotely unlock the car, or track it if the car is stolen.

Using advanced telematics, the Volvo On Call customer service centre can communicate directly with the car to provide information such as the vehicle’s speed, amount of fuel left in the tank, location, and whether it is being driven or moving on a transporter.  The system can also unlock or lock the car remotely at an agreed time (once certain personal security information is provided correctly) if your keys are lost or misplaced. 

If the car’s alarm is triggered, the Volvo On Call service centre will try to contact the owner or driver, and if certain security questions are not answered satisfactorily, the police will be called.

Similarly, if the car is stolen, once the owner notifies the Volvo On Call customer service centre, the car will automatically be tracked, and all the information available will be passed on to the police.

Real-life example
For one grateful Volvo dealership in Doncaster, Volvo On Call, has already proven itself a worthy asset.

When thieves stole the keys to a Volvo S60 D5 SE and drove the vehicle away from Riverside Motors in Doncaster, little did they realise that the S60 was equipped with Volvo On Call and that their every movement was trackable.

In this example, once Volvo On Call operators had been alerted to the theft, they were able to activate the on board tracking device and lead Police to the car’s precise location. The unscathed vehicle was successfully traced and recovered within 20 minutes of being reported missing.

"While we were obviously rattled by the theft, we were all impressed by how quickly and efficiently the car was tracked and located. As soon as we discovered the vehicle had been stolen and that it was equipped with Volvo On Call, we immediately contacted the service centre. 20 minutes later and we got the news that the vehicle had been recovered. Obviously we were delighted," said Steven Starkey, Manager of the Volvo dealership in Doncaster.

Steven added, "The benefits of On Call really hit home with us as we were able to see the success of the system first hand. We really feel strongly that for any customer seeking optimum safety and security, Volvo On Call offers the best possible solution."

Note:
1. Volvo On Call is available on the S80 and XC90, or as part of the 'Communications Pack' on the rest of the range.

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