BMW Group selects Verizon SA 5G for new US vehicles

BMW Group, Verizon Business, and KDDI said newly manufactured BMW Group vehicles for the US market will use Verizon’s nationwide standalone 5G network for connected car services.

Verizon Business said the arrangement makes newly manufactured vehicles in the US the first connected automobiles to use the operator’s nationwide standalone 5G network with its 5G core and 3GPP Release 16 standards. Standalone 5G means a 5G network that uses a 5G core rather than relying on 4G core infrastructure.

Under the agreement, Verizon will provide 5G and LTE connectivity directly to BMW, Mini, and other BMW Group vehicles built for the US market. BMW Group said the connectivity will support telematics for its connected drive system, including digital infotainment, remote services, app functions, and other telematics features.

KDDI of Japan is also part of the collaboration. BMW Group said KDDI’s platform gives it control over connectivity and data flow, with traffic routed through Verizon’s 5G network. Verizon said the launch builds on its existing relationship with KDDI, which provides IoT services through its Global Communications Platform to original equipment manufacturers. 3GPP Release 16 includes enhancements for connected cars, including cellular V2X for vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure services.