SK Telecom (NYSE:SKM) today announced E-MIV, the world’s first commercial mobile telematics service in China. Known as MIV in Korea, the services is a true converged mobile service - combining the features of mobile phones and automobiles - allowing customers to use their mobile phones to protect, control and manage their cars.

SK Telecom first developed MIV in 2009. Early this year, the company partnered with Renault Samsung to preview this innovative service for the global market at the World Mobile Congress in Barcelona, Spain.

SKT has launched E-MIV through its Chinese subsidiary Shenzhen E-eye High Tech. Co., Ltd (Shenzhen E-eye). Key features of the E-MIV service include vehicle safety and security service, vehicle control service and vehicle management service. Vehicle safety and security service allows automobile location tracking and prevents auto theft with an alarm system; vehicle control service enable users to use their smartphones to control various components including door, trunk, horn and headlight; and vehicle management service provides users with vehicle operation information and maintenance history.

Moreover, plans are underway to add vehicle diagnosis service - providing car trouble alert, car workshop location information, and component replacement alert - next year to further enhance the convenience of Chinese drivers.


Drivers in China can choose E-MIV as an option when they purchase vehicles from automobile dealers in Shenzhen. To realize E-MIV, a GPS terminal is installed at dealer shops in vehicles before delivery. Then in case a vehicle door is being forcefully opened or a vehicle is being moved without the ignition being on, the GPS terminal automatically detects these suspicious movements and sends out warning text messages to the pre-registered mobile phone number. Moreover, in the event of a hijacking or theft, the vehicle can be easily recovered as users can access their vehicle location from their smartphones.

Users can access E-MIV through any smartphone, regardless of operating system. It is web-based, it also accessible via any browser. Shenzhen E-eye will start selling E-MIV through automobile dealers and its retail stores in Shenzhen and then expand its business into nearby Sichuan Province.

In 2007, SK Telecom purchased a controlling 65.5% stake in Shenzhen E-eye, a Chinese GPS service provider, to tap into the Chinese telematics market. Shenzhen E-eye’s GPS-based services like stolen vehicle location tracking service attracted around 30,000 customers and achieved KRW 10 billion in revenues. SK Telecom and Shenzhen E-eye have been making efforts to generate synergies through which differentiated and competitive services can be provided to the Chinese consumers.

SK Telecom plans to maintain its leadership in the mobile telematics field by developing diverse MIV services including one for electric vehicles by making full use of in its technological expertise and experience accumulated through E-MIV.

Lee Jin-Woo, Senior Vice President and Head of Data Business Office at SK Telecom said, "Building on the experience of commercializing the MIV service in Shenzhen, SK Telecom plans to further expand its presence in China. Our ultimate goal is to have MIV systems installed in cars at the production line, before they hit the market."

Peng Yangming, CEO and President of Shenzhen E-eye said, "E-MIV will allow us to provide differentiated services and contribute to our continued growth. We expect to surpass RMB 700 million in revenues and become the market leader in 2015."

Meanwhile, SK Telecom and Shenzhen E-eye held a launching event for E-MIV at Shenzhen E-eye’s office located in Shenzhen, China. The event was attended by 20 senior officials of both companies including Lee Jin-Woo, Senior Vice President and Head of Data Business Office at SK Telecom and Peng Yangming, CEO and President of Shenzhen E-eye.