Photo: Motor-Fan
BMW and NTT Docomo will start providing Japan's first connected car service compatible with 5G and consumer eSIM from March 1 for the "BMW iX" and "BMW i4" sold by BMW. It was announced.
Photo: Motor-Fan
Photo: Motor-Fan
Photo: Motor-Fan
In December 2018, BMW Group, BMW and DoCoMo, headquartered in Germany, began considering collaboration in installing consumer eSIM (* 1) in cars. We have jointly developed a mechanism to enable mobile communication by installing a 5G module and consumer eSIM in a BMW vehicle, and this time BMW iX and BMW i4 are the first connected cars to support DoCoMo's one-number service (* 2). This allows the phone number and rate plan used on the smartphone to be used as is for voice calls and data communications on the BMW vehicle, and voice calls and the Internet in the vehicle without connecting the smartphone and the BMW vehicle via Bluetooth. The communication usage environment becomes more comfortable. * 1: A SIM that is mainly installed in consumer devices and can write profiles remotely in accordance with the GSMA "Remote SIM Provisioning" specifications. * 2: The optional services BMW iX and BMW i4, which allow you to share one phone number between your smartphone and accessory terminal and use voice calls and data communication on the accessory terminal for a monthly fee of 550 yen (tax included), have traditionally been BMW Connected. -ESIM is installed to provide various drive services, but in addition to this, the consumer eSIM and 5G module used in this service are installed to support 5G. By activating two eSIMs at the same time with DSDA (Dual-SIM-Dual-Active), which is the latest mobile technology installed in the vehicle, in addition to the communication of BMW Connected Drive, the user's own voice call and Data communication can also be used via the vehicle. In addition, it is possible to set up 5G compatible in-car Wi-Fi using consumer eSIM, and up to 10 smartphones and tablet terminals can be connected to Wi-Fi in the car to use 5G high-speed data communication. Become. For this service, along with the contract for DoCoMo's one-number service, log in to the My BMW app or BMW portal site provided by BMW with your BMW ID, then log in to the displayed DoCoMo site with your d account, and enter your BMW ID and d account. It can be used by linking. By linking this BMW ID and d account, the service can be used not only for vehicles purchased individually, but also when riding the BMW iX and BMW i4 with a rental car or car sharing. In addition to the BMW iX and BMW i4, other upcoming BMW models will support this service (some models may require software updates).
MotorFan editorial department
Last updated: MotorFan