Tesla has announced that it has tied up with AT&T to provide high-speed wireless connectivity to its vehicles, including the Model S. The tie up will help AT&T expand beyond mobile phones. All vehicles built by Tesla will feature AT&T network chips allowing two-way connections for services like roadside assistance and stolen vehicle location.
AT&T announced its tie up with Tesla late last week. Tesla’s mobile data service includes Internet access, navigation, and entertainment viewable on a 17-inch touchscreen inside the vehicle. The terms of the agreement between Tesla and AT&T are unannounced. AT&T also replaced Verizon as the wireless provider for GM’s OnStar.
The AT&T service in the Tesla vehicles can also be used to provide mobile hotspot service. That would allow all passengers in the car to connect to the AT&T mobile network from within in the car. Tesla currently doesn’t charge connectivity fees for the in car connectivity and offers. There’s no indication of if fees will be coming now that the company has partnered with AT&T. Presumably in car Internet connectivity will have a fee associated.
“We’ve been working with AT&T. They’ve been the service provider for Model S” in North America, said Elizabeth Jarvis-Shean, a Tesla spokesperson.
via Bloomberg
Filed Under: Auto News, Technology News