Mobile telco Orange is providing an IoT network for Lynk, a European mobility brand formed as a joint venture between Geely and Volvo that has launched an always-connected car.

The vehicle uses an IoT network and infrastructure from Orange Business Services to deliver connected services to drivers.

The 01 SUV is sold on simplicity. Lynk offers membership-based mobility for those who want to rent a car instead of purchasing it in the traditional sense. The car incorporates a share button, enabling owners to generate income via sharing functionalities. Lynk members can also control, monitor and share their car from a smartphone app that communicates with the car via the cloud.

In-car technology has been designed to be easy to use with no hidden extras. All cars have large configurable touch screens and telematics that are always connected to the internet and the car’s cloud.

Orange has worked closely with Lynk and its sister company CEVT, an innovation and technology company within Geely, to develop technology that enables the Lynk business and operations model. Each car will use Orange’s IoT managed global connectivity, which provides secure and seamless integration between connected car services, internet access and online tracking. This allows it to provide downloadable billing reports and predictive maintenance updates, for example.

SIMs with a unified global footprint are integrated during the manufacturing process. Orange IoT cellular connectivity allows users to enjoy the same experiences across geographies by roaming between different providers as required.

“Today’s customers demand mobility and may not actually want to own a car,” said David Green, CDO of Lynk. “Orange Business Services IoT services and global connectivity are helping us achieve our vision of launching a mobility brand that is born digital and designed to demands of always-connected consumers.”

Consumers can buy the Lynk car outright and car share it to generate additional income or lease it on a monthly basis. Cars and mobility memberships can be purchased online or from Lynk clubs designed to be a more social hang-out than a showroom. There are three clubs open in Amsterdam, Antwerp and Gothenburg, with Berlin to open next, followed by additional clubs in Barcelona, Milan and Paris.

“We are proud to be part of this new generation of always-connected automotive experiences, aimed at making car travel safer, easier and more sustainable,” said Nemo Verbist, senior vice president at Orange Business Services. “Our innovative approach to connectivity enables consumer connected services like the Lynk cars.”