GM Canada Picks TELUS 5G Network

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GM Canada has selected for the first time a domestic communications company to provide connected-vehicle services for Canadian customers.

The move is key step in GM’s stated goal of adding new driver-assistance technologies, with zero crashes and zero congestion. It’s also part of the ongoing push toward autonomous vehicles. This and related moves by other automakers also raise antitrust and privacy issues that are thus far unaddressed.

“Connectivity is already transforming the ownership experience for our drivers, and that trend will accelerate with our next-generation offerings,” said Scott Bell, president and managing director of GM Canada. “Working with TELUS, we can develop and foster much of that innovation right here in Canada.”

The first GM vehicles with built-in connectivity to TELUS’ high-performance 4G-LTE and 5G network are expected to be introduced with the 2025 model year. Additionally, through GM’s fifth generation rollout, current 4G LTE-equipped model year 2019 and newer vehicles will be able to migrate to the new TELUS network. As a result, current Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac owners in Canada will experience faster connectivity speeds and some of the same performance benefits of future 5G-equipped vehicles.

GM and TELUS are working on high-performance wireless network capabilities that will meet the unique needs of an all-electric and autonomous vehicle future. Network enhancements will include:  

• Improved roadway-centric coverage
• Faster music and video downloads with higher quality
• Faster, more reliable, and secure over-the-air software updates
• Faster navigation, mapping, and voice services

When launched, GM says it will “provide access for its strategic partners to leverage TELUS’ 5G network, raising the bar for the interoperability and scale necessary to deliver future mobility services, such as e-commerce, smart city and vehicle-to-electric grid.”

GM first introduced connected-vehicle services in Canada with OnStar in 1999. GM has expanded connected services to offer live traffic information, streaming entertainment services, and remote vehicle commands through mobile apps and connected home devices.

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