Data-centric and award-winning telco, U Mobile has partnered with Waze and SMART Tunnel to make GPS connectivity possible for all drivers commuting through the world’s longest dual purpose tunnel.

Thanks to the installation of Waze Beacons, a bluetooth enabled hardware device, drivers no longer have to worry about getting lost or taking the wrong exit in the area. The devices allow seamless connectivity and undisturbed navigation even in areas where GPS signal reception is limited by the emission of wireless signals that guide navigation apps. The drivers simply have to enable their bluetooth connections on their devices to ensure uninterrupted navigation in the SMART tunnel.

U Mobile’s Chief Marketing Officer, Jasmine Lee and a frequent commuter in the SMART Tunnel, shares that this new feature, installed just before the Movement Control Order came into effect, will make the drive in the tunnel much more convenient. This latest partnership with Waze and SMART Tunnel has made U Mobile the world’s first telco to power GPS navigation in a tunnel without interruptions. With Waze’s Beacons technology, all users of mobile devices, regardless of which telco service they are subscribed to, will now be able to leverage the full Waze features throughout the tunnel uninterrupted.

“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 adds that they 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.

According to SMART’s Chief Operating Officer, Mohd Noor Mohd Ali, users’ travel experience will become smoother and more convenient with the Waze Beacons installed in the SMART Tunnel 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.

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 info, visit www.u.com.my