Today’s new vehicles rack up more than just miles. They produce terabytes of data as they tear down the roads. All of that data needs to be communicated to take advantage of the crucial information it provides. General Motors and AT&T are collaborating to bring 5G cellular connectivity to GM vehicles, beginning with select model year 2024 vehicles.
The rollout is part of GM and AT&T’s broad strategy to launch the world’s largest fleet of 5G-enabled vehicles and is the culmination of a two-year collaboration, including test-driving connected vehicles at GM’s 5G proving grounds in Milford, Michigan. Current Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac owners with 4G LTE-capable model year 2019 and newer vehicles will easily migrate to the new network infrastructure once available. AT&T’s 5G core network will improve roadway-centric coverage, music and video downloads, over-the-air software updates, navigation, mapping, and voice services.
AT&T and GM have been working together since launching in-vehicle WiFi hotspots in 2014, adding WarnerMedia’s streaming content in 2020. Additionally, GM has offered connected services, such as OnStar, to more than 16 million customers in the United States and Canada. GM owners have used more than 171 million gigabytes of data across its brands since the launch of 4G LTE in 2014.
A lot has to change under the hood before cars will be able to take part in the smart cities of the future, becoming autonomous and electric. As the automotive industry and vehicles evolve in the next five to 10 years, more electrical capacity and connectivity will be needed for features like electric propulsion systems, the Super Cruise driver assistance and advanced active safety systems.
GM’s 5G network will also provide a foundation for it’s Vehicle Intelligence Platform (VIP), which supports data transfer within the vehicle, as well the over-the-air update strategy. VIP powers an electronic system, capable of managing up to 4.5 terabytes of data processing power per hour, a fivefold increase in capability over GM’s previous electrical architecture. The architecture also provides more rapid communications within the vehicle itself and to outside sources thanks to Ethernet connections of 100 Mbs, 1 Gbps and 10 Gbps. VIP will be available in 29 models globally by 2023.
“By connecting millions of GM vehicles to our nationwide 5G network, we will improve the customer experience for existing services while laying the groundwork for the next wave of innovation including autonomous driving,” said Gregory Wieboldt, senior vice president, Global Business, Industry Solutions, AT&T.
When launched, GM will provide access for its strategic partners to connect over AT&T’s 5G network, increasing the interoperability and scale necessary to deliver future mobility services, such as e-commerce, smart city and vehicle-to-electric grid.
“Eventually it will connect to other cars, traffic lights, and the transport infrastructure around it, opening up a new world of possibilities,” GM said.
5G technology will be critical for the automotive industry to place autonomous vehicles on the roads, according to ReportLinker market research, because 4G does not have the same speed and latency potential. Vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) connectivity rely on 5G.
“Initially, 5G will be used for HD media streaming and advanced connected services capabilities in vehicles,” according to ReportLinker. “Effective use of edge cloud as well as 5G NR infrastructure will support the futuristic deployment of C-V2X services and smart city and traffic relevant use cases.” A laundry list of features will be tested using 5G, including V2V coordinated driving, automated lane change, automated lane merge, automated overtaking and teleoperated driving.
By J. Sharpe Smith, Inside Towers Technology Editor
Reader Interactions