General Motors and AT&T Set Automotive Connectivity
Benchmark with 5G
The
next generation vehicle network will enable a new era of
connected services for
millions of GM vehicles
General Motors and AT&T will
bring 5G cellular connectivity to millions of GM vehicles coming off the
assembly line over the next decade in the United States. GM and AT&T are
working together to set the benchmark for automotive connectivity with a fifth
generation cellular network architecture to meet the needs of an all-electric
and autonomous future.
GM and AT&T are collaborating to
build a high performance 5G core network that delivers a new standard. Network
enhancements will include:
- Improved roadway-centric coverage
- Faster music and video downloads with higher quality
- Faster, more reliable, and secure over-the-air software
updates
- Faster navigation, mapping, and voice services
5G connectivity will first be available
in select model year 2024 vehicles. Additionally, through GM’s fifth generation
network, current 4G LTE-equipped model year 2019 and newer vehicles will
experience faster connectivity speeds and many of the same performance benefits
of future 5G-equipped vehicles. Current Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac
owners in the U.S. with 4G LTE-capable model year 2019 and newer vehicles will
easily migrate to the new network infrastructure once available.
This rollout is part of GM and
AT&T’s broad strategy to launch the world’s largest fleet of 5G-enabled
vehicles and the culmination of a two-year collaboration, including
test-driving connected vehicles in GM’s 5G proving grounds in Milford,
Michigan.
AT&T has the nation’s most
reliable 5G network,1 covering more than 250 million people across
the country. From 2016 to 2020, AT&T invested more than $110 billion in its
wireless and wireline networks, including capital investments and acquisitions
of wireless spectrum and operations.
GM offers OnStar and Connected
Services2 to more than 16 million customers in the U.S. and Canada.
Since the launch of 4G LTE in 2014, GM owners have used more than 171 million
gigabytes of data across its brands, which is equivalent to nearly 5.7 billion hours
of music streamed or more than 716 million hours of streaming video.
To support GM’s rapid innovation and
delivery of next generation connected vehicle solutions, AT&T and Microsoft
are bringing together the speed and reliability of AT&T’s 5G network with
Microsoft’s scalable and secure cloud services.
The 4G LTE and 5G network
improvements will be foundational for the future of GM’s growing over-the-air
update strategy, an element of the automaker’s overall innovation and growth
plan. With more advanced features, robust software and faster download speeds,
more data is accessible to provide a more convenient customer experience. GM’s
fifth generation network will also provide a strong foundation as the company
advances its technology, such as Super Cruise and its Vehicle Intelligence
Platform.
“Together with AT&T, we’ve
brought unprecedented experiences to the daily commute, family road trips and
everything in between,” said Santiago Chamorro, GM vice president of Global
Connected Services. “As an in-vehicle connectivity leader, this rollout
demonstrates our commitment to growth through software-enabled services and
reimagining every customer touchpoint by enabling faster connectivity speeds to
power in-vehicle voice-enabled services, navigation, and apps that our
customers have grown to love.”
“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. “We now connect more
vehicles than any other carrier and GM has played a critical role in our
success. We’re honored to work alongside GM to usher the next chapter of
connected driving.”
AT&T and GM have been working
together since launching in-vehicle Wi-Fi ® hotpots3 in 2014, adding
WarnerMedia's robust library of streaming premium
content in 2020 and enabling best-in-class connectivity features in millions of
GM vehicles currently on the road.
When launched, GM will provide
access for its strategic partners to connect over AT&T’s 5G network,
raising the bar for the interoperability and scale necessary to deliver future
mobility services, such as e-commerce, smart city and vehicle-to-electric grid.
Source: AT&T media announcement
1Based on nationwide GWS drive test
data. GWS conducts drive tests for AT&T and uses the data in its analysis.
2Connected services include navigation
services and Remote Access Plan. Data plans offered by AT&T. Services
subject to user terms and limitations. Certain services require working
electrical system, cell reception and GPS signal. OnStar links
to emergency services. Visit onstar.com for details. Availability subject
to change.
3Built-in Wi-Fi hotspot provides
connectivity for up to seven Wi-Fi-capable devices. Connected devices use data
from your plan. Returning devices connect automatically and use plan data
unless hotspot is removed from returning device settings. Performance varies
based on number of devices connected and other factors.
