LTE for Connected Car
The core telecommunication technology method of the next-generation “Connected Car” is changing to 4G LTE from 3G. Automakers and telecommunication service carriers such as SK Telecom and KT are taking the lead in such a technical change.
According to related industries on August 22, Korean and foreign automakers and wireless telecommunication firms are introducing LTE to connected car service.
Korean and foreign automakers have been a wide variety of connected car services since 2010 smartphones were launched for the first time. A connected car loaded with a telecommunication modem enables its user to track its location, remotely start, cool and heat the car, control its audio system and upgrade its navigation system software.
Early services were based mostly on 3G systems. Hyundai Motor loaded its cars with KT’s Blue Link while Kia Motor with SK Telecom’s UVO. Tesla, a leader in the US electric car market, installed a 3G modem in its first high-end model S.
Now automakers and wireless telecommunication carriers are loading their cars with 4G LTE modems on a full scale. Tesla loaded products mass-produced last year with LTE modems and offered past models LTE upgrade services. The company launched a nationwide LTE service in partnership with AT&T beginning in the second half of last year.
In addition to an auto pilot, Tesla car drivers will need to utilize data such as a charging station data base more times due to their characteristics as electric cars. Recently Tesla set up its Korean branch and is taking pre-orders in the Korean market. It is said that the automaker went into the final stage in its negotiations with KT for the purpose of loading its cars with LTE modems.
Bearing the future smart car market in mind, Korean smart car-related industries are beginning to introduce LTE in earnest. SK Telecom agreed with Socar, a car sharing service firm, to introduce “LTE-M” technology which especially developed the LTE-based internet of things (IoT). LTE-M is called the technology most suitable for connected cars since the technology can make effective use of LTE’s strong mobility which realizes stable telecommunication at a speed of 300 kilometers per hour.
By partnering with KT, Hyundai Motor offers LTE connected car options called “Blue Link 2.0” to models which have been launched since the All New Tucson which hit the market last year. This service offers real-time traffic information via LTE. When a driver searches for a new destination which cannot be found in a navigation system, this service connects to the internet and set the destination through Naver’s destination searches. This service also empowers drivers to remotely control and diagnose cars.
Kia Motor is providing the LTE-based UVO Connected Car Service for the Sorento R and later models based on the SK Telecom network. The Sorento R was released last year. Its services are similar to those of Blue Link 2.0 for Hyudai Motor cars.
On the other hand, it was known that Kia Motor was considering introducing LTE-M that increases telecommunication efficiency by making use of current modems and base stations.