TUTORIALS

Business Models for SafeTRIP Platform

The objective of SafeTRIP project is to create an open platform that will allow third party developers to take advantage of the connected car. Thus, it is difficult to envisage every scenario; however, we can already elaborate what are the most realistic situations for the use of the SafeTRIP platform. In this section several scenarios for business models using the SafeTRIP platform are presented. Because SafeTRIP is an open platform specification there is considerable flexibility in the way it may be used.

End Users / the travelers who will make use of applications proved via SafeTRIP.

The SafeTRIP service provider is the operator of the SafeTRIP platform. He provides access to the SafeTRIP infrastructure and performs Authentication, Authorization and Accounting (AAA). He is in charge of the provision of the OBU technical specifications and of the Application development guideline.

An existing service provider provides a range of applications, possibly from third party application providers, via a range of distribution pathways.

The Application provider  will develop of the applications to run the SafeTRIP platform. The SafeTRIP middleware (Service Enabling Layer and Service Enabling Platform) means that the application providers can focus on the application specific aspects and have the assurance of potentially reaching the whole SafeTRIP community.

The OBU provider will supply on board units required by the SafeTRIP platform. To ensure interoperability OBU providers must strictly follow the requirements specified by the SafeTRIP service provider. They are responsible for the maintenance of the terminals.

Telecommunication operator is responsible for providing connectivity. He provides the telecommunication infrastructure, e.g. satellite capacity or UMTS bandwidth, and ensures the maintenance and operations of the network.

The Exclusive Access Scenario

In this scenario, the SafeTRIP service provider has an exclusive relationship with the customers for the provision of services. The end user has only one point of contact for the subscription, the provision of the OBU, the billing and the provision of applications. The applications provided are determined by SafeTRIP service provider by agreements with existing service providers.

In this model the SafeTRIP service provider is responsible for:

-     obtaining OBUs from OBU providers and supplying them to the end users;

-     provision of S-band satellite connectivity complemented by alternative ground networks (AGN) and seamless routing of the data streams between available networks;

-     provision of Authentication, Authorization and Accounting services;

-     provision of all value added services.