Without connectivity, connected vehicles are just vehicles.

Yet, while many understand the importance of guaranteeing reliable coverage, there is less clarity on the types of and challenges associated with different options. 5G takes all the headlines, but do OEMs know what it means for their connected car plans?

Car-as-a-service, electric vehicles, assisted driving, infotainment, system updates; none are possible without high-quality connectivity. Many OEMs assume that 5G holds all the answers, but they would do well to avoid falling into that trap; the 5G smartphones use is not the same spectrum they need for the V2X services they’re aiming to enable.

For example, being able to keep hundreds of thousands of autonomous vehicles on the move is not automatically possible just because operators are accelerating their headline 5G roll-outs.

However, networks that can enable driving experiences are increasingly the differentiator between OEMs. Quality coverage can deliver greater connected car capabilities from streaming and real-time information availability to in-car, voice-based payment systems. And, in doing so, lay the groundwork for future innovations around AVs and assisted driving.

Want to know more? Read our new factsheet on the role of 5G in the delivery of connected car services.