Telefónica has joined the 5G Automotive Association as it looks to help extend cellular’s influence within the connected car industry.
The association’s work centres on defining use cases, choosing the right kinds of technology, standardisation, responding to demand of the motor industry and launching innovation and development projects.
Telefónica is also working with the European Automotive Telecom Alliance on promoting the wider deployment of connected and automated cars across Europe.
Dino Flore, General Director of the 5GAA, said: “We are very excited to have Telefónica as new member of 5GAA. Telefónica’s expertise and background will greatly benefit the association in its mission to define truly global, end-to-end connected mobility solutions.”
At Mobile World Congress in February, Telefónica laid claim to what it called the first 5G remote driving demo, working with Ericsson on the technology.
A car at a test track was controlled Fira Exhibition centre in Barcelona, which was around 70 kilometres away from the demo. It used 15GHz spectrum bands.
Vicente Muñoz, Telefonica´s Chief IoT Officer, said: “We are delighted to join the 5GAA to bring all our efforts on the 5G technology to the automotive industry. We recently showcased our recent progress in 5G with our connected car demo at MWC in Barcelona and continue to work in this arena to make things move faster.”
The 5GAA was established in September last year and boasts companies such as Audi, BMW Group, Daimler, Ericsson, Huawei, Intel, Nokia, Qualcomm and Vodafone as members.