Published: February 20, 2018
Publisher: City A.M.
The integration of connectivity into vehicles is disrupting the automotive industry. This disruption may lead to a five letter acronym (FRAND – Fair, Reasonable and Non-Discriminatory) having a major impact on how both the automotive and mobile telecoms industries have traditionally done business.
Looking at the coverage from CES last month, you could be forgiven for thinking it was a car show. Over recent years, this event has become increasingly important for automotive manufacturers and suppliers, demonstrating the growing significance of connectivity to the industry. Retail consumers are increasingly choosing cars based on technical gadgets, rather than traditional factors like performance. Things like mobile wifi, in-car assistants and semi-autonomous driving are no longer futuristic fantasies. Even the automotive Holy Grail – the fully autonomous car – is predicted to be only a few years away.
The drive for vehicle connectivity does not end with the latest must-have features. Fleet operators are embracing the benefits of connectivity, allowing for real-time tracking and fleet management. Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are also increasingly seeing the importance of connectivity to help support their vehicles throughout their life cycle. The idea of your car booking itself a service is no longer that far-fetched.