Sign up
Subscribe to our Blind-Spot Monitor newsletters to catch up on all the top automotive stories of the week Subscribe to our Blind-Spot Monitor newsletters to catch up on all the top automotive stories of the week Sign up now>

GM, AT&T to launch high-performance 5G network in select vehicles

New capability to launch on 2024 models, but can be retrofitted to MY2019 GM cars and trucks, too

Andrew Robichaud, Driving
Aug 19, 2021  •  September 1, 2021  •  2 minute read  •  Join the conversation
Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac vehicles are among the first in the industry to offer WarnerMedia RIDE, which functions similar to in-flight entertainment platforms offered by some airlines.
Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac vehicles are among the first in the industry to offer WarnerMedia RIDE, which functions similar to in-flight entertainment platforms offered by some airlines. Photo by General Motors

General Motors and AT&T are ushering in a new era of vehicle connectivity through the launch of a 5G cellular network architecture over the next decade.

As part of the “high-performance 5G core network,” drivers will have access to improved features in roadway-centric coverage, music and video downloads, over-the-air software updates, and navigation, mapping and voice services, the automaker announced in a press release on Thursday.

“Together with AT&T, we’ve brought unprecedented experiences to the daily commute, family road trips andeverything in between,” GM vice president of Global Connected Services Santiago Chamorro said in the release.

“As an in-vehicle connectivity leader, this rollout demonstrates our commitment to growth through software-enabled services and reimagining every customer touchpoint by enabling faster connectivity speeds to power in-vehicle voice-enabled services, navigation and apps that our customers have grown to love.”

Select new models launching in 2024 will feature the updated 5G connectivity, while current 2019 or newer models with 4G-LTE capabilities will be able to update their systems to reap the benefits of the improved platform.

Story continues below

More On This Topic

  1. Samsung helping Audi, BMW, Ford, Genesis make your phone into a car key

    Samsung helping Audi, BMW, Ford, Genesis make your phone into a car key

  2. Stellantis, iPhone maker Foxconn to form connectivity-focused car tech joint venture

    Stellantis, iPhone maker Foxconn to form connectivity-focused car tech joint venture

The initiative is part of a two-year partnership anchored in the goal of launching the largest fleet of 5G-enabled vehicles on the market. The improved network connectivity in 4G and 5G is a key cog in the automaker’s overall growth strategy, and the enhanced architecture will be leveraged the for its own Super Cruise and Vehicle Intelligence platforms.

“By connecting millions of GM vehicles to our nationwide 5G network, we will improve the customer experience for existing services while laying the groundwork for the next wave of innovation including autonomous driving,”

AT&T’s senior vice president, Global Business and Industry Solutions, Gregory Wieboldt added in the release.

“We now connect more vehicles than any other carrier and GM has played a critical role in our success. We’re honored to work alongside GM to usher the next chapter of connected driving.”

The telecommunication and automotive heavyweights have collaborated for many years on connectivity features, as well as launching in-vehicle Wi-fi hotspots in 2014, and most recently bringing WarnerMedia’s library of premium streaming content to vehicles in 2020.

Trending