Deutsche Telekom to connect BMW cars

Deutsche Telekom acquires GTS for $729 million to strengthen enterprise focus
BMW Connected Drive will now come with a Wi-Fi hotspot working on Deutsche Telekom HotSpot Drive portal.

The mobile hotspot can be connected to up to 10 Wi-Fi-enabled devices for offering high-speed Internet at the same time, without using individual SIM cards.

The system allows browsing through borders all over Europe and further too.

The user can select from different data passes completing a one-time login process.

The hotspot was designed in collaboration with BMW ConnectedDrive, and has been seen with latest BMW 7 series models in October 2015, and will continue with future models too.

ConnectedDrive systems will be seen in  BMW sporting LTE technology.

The system will also come with an array of services with fast data connection available in more than 50 countries using mobile telephony.

“What we’re doing is taking the best network and putting it inside the car. Telecommunication and IT are now providing the basic technology for digitization of the motor vehicle. As an experienced automotive industry partner, we are proud to be part of this cooperative initiative,” commented Reinhard Clemens, member of the Deutsche Telekom Board of Management and T-Systems CEO.

eSIM will be permanently embedded into cars and once deployed can be updated from outside over the air whenever required, which has been developed by international committees dedicated to developing an open eSIM standard.

Also an LTE mobile communications module, tagged BMW Motorrad ConnectedRide, will come with connectivity for increasing safety on BMW motorbikes. It will introduce connected services available on the central display of the motorbike showing journey-related data, in partnership with Deutsche Telekom.

It will have a navigation system, advance warnings for tailbacks not visible and other safety-related information.  BMW motorbikes will also provide eCall system for the first time. In case of accidents data relevant to the emergency services are sent to the BMW call center to help them take appropriate action.

The group, with more than 156 million mobile customers, 29 million fixed-network lines and around 18 million broadband lines, has voice connection with the driver helping to pass further essential information on the situation immediately.

Also announced was the SmartHome app which can be used to control the devices at home via the mobile phone, like controlling the lighting or heating system at home. It is already used by the BMW ConnectedDrive system since 2015. The remote home control system can be plugged into the BMW vehicle operating system through a feature allowing integration of third-party apps via BMW ConnectedDrive.

Aside from permitting smartphone content to be displayed on the control display, it allows possible control for all functions via the iDrive controller.

The company covers 50 countries and has around 225,200 employees and had a EUR 69.2 billion revenue in 2015.