Indonesian telco Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison says it has formed a partnership with Vietnam-based electric taxi service Xanh SM to create smart mobility solutions leveraging ICT, IoT and analytics for Xanh SM’s new taxi fleet in the country.
Xanh SM – which is owned by Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup – launched its electric taxi service in Vietnam in March 2024 and currently operates in over 59 provinces. It has since expanded operations into Laos and, as of last month, Indonesia.
Under a partnership deal announced on Thursday, Indosat will provide Xanh SM with a connectivity solution through its card management platform, including Cisco IoT Control Center, to provide flexible control and monitoring of SIM cards for taxis and specially tailored mobile packages for Xanh SM drivers.
Indosat will also provide IoT solutions for monitoring critical driving metrics such as speed, acceleration, and behavior that can help identify anomalies or potential vehicle issues to ensure safety and efficiency.
The smart mobility solution will also leverage big data analytics for customer profiling and behavior analysis, which Indosat said will enable targeted campaigns and programs to elevate the customer experience.
Indosat and Xanh SM will start with an initial six-month pilot testing phase to explore and refine solutions, followed by a comprehensive rollout in subsequent stages.
“By leveraging the ICT, IoT, and analytics technology offered by Indosat, we can enhance operational efficiency while delivering services that positively impact both customers and the environment,” said Nguyen Van Thanh, global CEO of Xanh SM, in a statement.
Indosat and Xanh SM also talked up the eco-friendly aspects of the tie-up, as Xanh SM says its fleet of electric taxis is equipped with energy-efficient technology that reduces carbon emissions and serves as a model for sustainable transportation solutions. Indosat said the partnership is “expected not only to enhance Indosat’s customer experience through high-quality transportation but also to inspire the transportation sector to adopt more innovative and eco-friendly solutions.”
Indosat isn’t alone in chasing the connected-car/EV dollar. In September 2024, Telkomsel Enterprise struck a partnership with automaker Toyota-Astra Motor to integrate IoT and in-car Wi-Fi into Toyota’s “T Intouch” telematics app for its latest generation of Fortuner SUVs.
The same month, Telkomsel Enterprise also signed an MoU with EV manufacturer Mobil Anak Bangsa Indonesia (MAB) to "jointly develop a more integrated and environmentally friendly EV ecosystem." Under that deal, Telkomsel will provide connectivity, services and tech solutions, including IoT and broadband, to improve the operational efficiency of EVs.
