If connected cars are going to be a global phenomenon, as has been predicted, leading to a fully autonomous consumer transportation fleet, the biggest hurdle is universal connectivity. It has to be carrier- and network-agnostic, and that’s no small order.
Well, it’s not a dream in Europe anymore, thanks to a recent launch by Ireland-based Cubic Telecom (News - Alert). The company has created a multi-national, multi-carrier connectivity network for IoT-enabled cars across Europe.
Cubic’s platform is the largest independent LTE (News - Alert) platform in Europe for M2M and connected car applications. It is directly connected to 9 tier 1 network partners across 13 countries, and is already being leveraged by a major car maker. Thanks to all these relationships, Cubic’s special SIM will seamlessly swap networks as drivers cross boundaries, always searching for the fastest signal – all under one subscription.
Drivers who subscribe to the service will now have seamless connectivity for infotainment services and will also be able to purchase regional or Europe-wide data plans to give them 24-7 access to Wi-Fi connectivity, personal apps and more.
“Our customers are all talking about the IoT, but we want the EoT, or Ease of Things,” said Barry Napier, CEO, Cubic Telecom. “We are live on 2G, 3G and LTE with nine tier 1 operators in 13 countries empowering the top auto OEMs with the largest independent LTE network footprint in Europe. Cubic Telecom’s initial focus is on rolling out a high-speed LTE Platform with mobile operators for M2M customers with our global SIM solution.”
The initial rollout includes Germany, France, Spain, Italy, UK, Ireland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Netherlands, Sweden, Austria and Denmark. The breadth of the network is possible because of the collaboration with leading European operators EE (Everything Everywhere), EIR (rebranded Eircom (News - Alert)), Mobistar, Orange, Salt (formerly Orange Switzerland), Tele2 and TIM.
The solution includes over-the-air SIM updating capabilities so connectivity options can be reprogrammed throughout the lifetime of the car, enabling much more flexibility and better security as the industry evolves. The enabled vehicles will enter the market in the coming months across Europe. For more details, click here.
This is an important first step toward global interoperability, and therefore a truly ubiquitous IoT. I know I’m not the only one looking forward to the next links being forged.