General Motors is venturing further into the world of wireless vehicles.
The company announced that in 2014 it will begin equipping its cars with 4G broadband technology. This could mean viewing real-time traffic jams, weather radar projections, OnStar car condition reporting and streaming movies and television shows for kids in the back seat, all with no smartphone required. The features would be displayed on a center-console screen.
If not, the car could at least be used as a 4G LTE hot spot for mobile devices including tablets and smartphones. GM plans to help developers make apps to be used with the modified vehicles.
"The excitement is you're taking a car and turning it into a smartphone with four wheels," AT&T's President of Emerging Devices Glenn Lurie told CNET. "There's an opportunity to do amazing things with the car."
The development stands to highly benefit AT&T, which made an agreement with GM's OnStar to help bring out the new vehicles. AT&T has been after the business for a while now, and feels that it stands to grab one billion dollars in profits from the cars. This is amplified by the fact that the relationship between OnStar and Verizon Wireless is now broken.
"In our early conversations, we found we had a very similar view of the connected car," Lurie said, "We spent time looking at our network and technology roadmap, and they were impressed."
The new cars come as an opportunity for GM and other auto manufacturers to reinvent their images by speeding into the high-tech arena. So it comes as no surprise that the carriers are hopping on board. AT&T has also struck deals with Nissan, BMW, Ford and Tesla. In 2012, Verizon delved further into the business by acquiring Hughes Telematics for $612 million. On the auto side, Audi is offering broadband on models like the A7 and A8. The Chrysler Group is partnering with Sprint to modify its Uconnect infotainment system.
Aside from allowing for additional features, the 4G LTE technology will be about 10 times faster than the older 3G network. It will be available in the Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Opel and Vauxhall brands.
"Introducing 4G LTE into GM vehicles is a game-changing opportunity," AT&T Mobility president and CEO Ralph de la Vega says. "We're working closely with GM to grow the connected car base, and provide unique and relevant services that will improve the connected experience inside automobiles for both drivers and passengers."
