Auto makers, telecommunications giants, software companies and app developers see huge potential in the connected cars as drivers demand vehicles with the same technology Wi-Fi cars and services they have at home. 'We're just at the beginning of this wholee connected car space and it's kind of a Wild West, said Doug Newcomb, an auto technology expert and consultant based in Fort Hood, ore. Cars using the system are equipped with built in wireless modems and SIM cards such as those found in cellphones. That will also allow consumers to purchase WiFi on demand to create an in-car "hotspot" capable of supporting smartphones, tablets and laptops.
Rogers, Canada's largest Wireless car carrier with more than nine million subscribers, is eager to capitalize on Canadian's desire for constant connectivity. Although some luxury vehicles come with some of these features, the introduction of Sprint Velocity will mark the beginning of a broader push to make the connected car as mainstream as power windows and air conditioning. Demand for connectivity is strongest in luxury segments, but is growing among all drivers, noted Chris Travell, vice president of strategic consulting for Maritz Research's automotive research group, citing the company's annual survey of new car buyers.
Pricing for Wifi cars has yet to be determined. But Rogers will likely allow customers to add a connected car as one more device on their family share plans, which allow consumers living in the same household to share a big bucket of wireless data among multiple devices such as smartphones and tablets. Consumers using those plans now can connect up to 10 devices per plan. And with over 20 million vehicles on the road in Canada, said Roggers vice-president Mansell Nelson, there is a strong growth opportunity for Rogers in the connected auto segment.The connected car market is expected to be a booming business, with research suggesting nearly 100 million connected cars will be on the road by 2016.