T-Mobile, the Bellevue, Wash. mobile carrier known for its colorful branding and even more colorful CEO, is launching a new connected car service called SyncUP DRIVE.
The primary function of SyncUP DRIVE is turning the car into a mobile WiFi hotspot. The full retail price of the SyncUP Drive device is $150 but T-Mobile is offering it to customers without any cash upfront, if they purchase a 24-month Equipment Installment Plan with a 2GB or higher mobile Internet plan. In other words, customers can pay off the device in monthly installments over a two-year period.
Other features include driver behavior tracking, location tracking, and security monitoring. SyncUP DRIVE customers can get notifications when the car needs maintenance and GPS tracking helps them find lost or stolen vehicles.
T-Mobile claims SyncUP Drive is the only complete 4G LTE connected car solution.
“You’d need multiple carrier solutions – and multiple carrier rate plans – to duplicate what T-Mobile SyncUP DRIVE does,” T-Mobile said in a press release.
T-Mobile developed SyncUP DRIVE in partnership with mobile device maker ZTE and connected car platform Mojio. The service connects to the onboard diagnostics port (OBD-II) found in most cars and can be managed from a smartphone.
“We’re making it radically simple for customers to connect their cars with a complete, all-in-one package – and the best part is that we’re making it totally free at launch,” said CEO John Legere in an announcement.
The service will become available to customers Nov. 18.
Updated 9:45 a.m. to clarify the price structure.
