Deutsche Telekom and the BMW Group are using Personal-eSIM and MobilityConnect to link vehicle connectivity with the customer’s mobile 5G network, and for the first time on a 5G-basis. MobilityConnect offers DT and BMW customers new, intelligent connectivity services in their vehicles. For EUR 9.95 per month, residential customers can add the MobilityConnect-option to an existing mobile communications contract in Germany. Similarly, in the US, T-Mobile postpaid customers can add Magenta Drive for BMW for $20 per month.
In Germany, the service can be booked very simply via an app. Booking the rate option activates the eSIM for the vehicle. MobilityConnect gives customers a personal user profile. Once registered, the driver can download the personal profile in any enabled vehicle with eSIM. The activated Personal eSIM is directly linked to the customer’s BMW ID. It can be used, along with connected functions, in any enabled vehicle. This turns the vehicle into another connected device for customers, just like a smartwatch, even when the smartphone is not in the vehicle. A Bluetooth connection to the smartphone is also no longer necessary.
BMW
BMW Group is deploying 5G and eSIM in the BMW iX and BMW i4 commercial vehicles, a real-world first in networking. In addition, a personal eSIM is also deployed in the BMW iX and BMW i4, as previously seen on smart devices such as tablets or smartwatches, in addition to the standard integrated vehicle eSIM. The mobile phone technology installed in the vehicle enables both eSIMs to be active with 5G simultaneously with the full range of services (DualSIM-Dual-Active).
The BMW iX multi-aerial system, specially developed for 5G, routes the radio signal from the performance-optimized multi-band aerials directly to the vehicle’s infotainment system via a Gigabit Ethernet connection. This improves the connection quality and increases data throughput for all passengers in the vehicle because a 5G wifi hotspot can be activated in the vehicle via the personal eSIM.
Deutsche Telekom
Deutsche Telekom provides the 5G connectivity to BMW iX and BMW i4 vehicles as a standard for the first time via MobilityConnect. The vehicle’s eSIM can be easily activated with the MobilityConnect option via the existing mobile phone contract of the DT customer.
In the BMW iX and BMW i4, Deutsche Telekom customers can experience the best entertainment and smart connectivity on the road from the high-bandwidth and low-latency 5G connectivity in their vehicles. The car offers significantly improved telephony quality and enables a 5G wifi hotspot for up to ten devices in the vehicle.
5G high-speed data transmission rates of up to 1 gigabit per second and low latencies in vehicles significantly enhance the entertainment and infotainment applications and related experience for the customers on the road.
BMW iX and BMW i4 customers are already experiencing the best entertainment and smart connectivity on the road from the high-bandwidth and low-latency 5G connectivity in their vehicles. The 5G connectivity service is also planned for other vehicles. In the future, the networking of mobile services by means of 5G-capable eSIM will enable further services such as video streaming or cloud gaming directly via the vehicle.
5G will improve the mobility of the future in many areas. For example, new applications such as local black ice warnings in real-time or intelligent traffic guidance via direct data communication of the vehicle with the traffic infrastructure, such as traffic lights, are already being tested today and support the driver while driving. Together with the BMW Group, DT is working on further 5G-based solutions in the area of mobility. The use cases for 5G in the automotive industry not only include the needs of passengers in cars. In the future, 5G will also be indispensable for automated communication between various interfaces in the vehicle and between road users.
Subscribe for industry insights. Elevate your influence – promote with us!
