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Old 28th January 2019, 10:55   #1
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BSNL to supply 5G SIM cards to Tata Motors' connected cars


BSNL's alliance with Tata Motors will enable to convert its models such as Tiago, Hexa and the newly unveiled SUV Harrier into smart cars.

BSNL has tied up with Tata Motors for a first-of-its-kind machine-to-machine (M2M) communications deal by which the state-owned telco will supply embedded SIM cards to transform the automaker’s vehicles into smart cars.

Quote:

“We have already partnered with Tata Motors for embedded SIM functionality. Five lakh SIM cards were already provided while another 10 lakh will be supplied in a year’s time,” BSNL Chairman Anupam Shrivastava told ET, adding that the automaker wanted to use them for smart cars.

Shrivastava said the telco anticipated sales of 50 million M2M SIM cards with future-ready 5G capability over next year, predominantly for the automobile and home automation sectors.

M2M technology enables communication between wired and wireless devices using sensors and applications that can be deployed in new-age infrastructure projects such as smart transportation, smart cities, smart grids, smart homes and smart healthcare.
Experts said the advent of smart cars will allow automakers to step up their game and offer superior consumer experience by unveiling new-age products with real-time connected features over a wireless network for traffic information, weather forecasts and even facial recognition.

Source- Full Article
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Old 28th January 2019, 12:56   #2
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re: BSNL to supply 5G SIM cards to Tata Motors' connected cars

Good to see Tata embracing this technology, they're far ahead of the pack (among mass market manufacturers). Hope they make the most of the first-mover advantage. Interesting move to rope in BSNL for this though; noteworthy that they're going straight to 5G, a technology that isn't even mainstream yet.

Looking at the spread of "smart" and inter-device connectivity in every day life; this has tremendous potential and applicability.
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Old 28th January 2019, 13:01   #3
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Internet of things and smart cars is the future and will also ride the EV wave as much new tech gets integrated. Happy to see that tata partnered with bsnl instead of some small private player.

Both bsnl and tata can make magic if they shirk their large organisational complacency and get to work. This could be a key differentiator for the future competition.
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Old 28th January 2019, 13:09   #4
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re: BSNL to supply 5G SIM cards to Tata Motors' connected cars

Really ? Is there any vehicle to vehicle or vehicle to Infra kind of communication solution involved in this ? Just giving 5G SIM cards to cars will not make it M2M. There is a complete suite of technology for M2M and the last sentence in the post tells what actually it is. Providing data connectivity.
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Old 28th January 2019, 21:34   #5
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re: BSNL to supply 5G SIM cards to Tata Motors' connected cars

Quote:
Originally Posted by srishiva View Post
Really ? Is there any vehicle to vehicle or vehicle to Infra kind of communication solution involved in this ? Just giving 5G SIM cards to cars will not make it M2M. There is a complete suite of technology for M2M and the last sentence in the post tells what actually it is. Providing data connectivity.
I think Tata has partnered with Microsoft for the infrastructure and software part of the M2M. That news was about a year ago. It seems to be moving if 5 lakhs SIM cards have already been provided.
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Old 28th January 2019, 22:44   #6
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re: BSNL to supply 5G SIM cards to Tata Motors' connected cars

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Originally Posted by Dr.Suraj View Post
I think Tata has partnered with Microsoft for the infrastructure and software part of the M2M. That news was about a year ago. It seems to be moving if 5 lakhs SIM cards have already been provided.
I still think is part of turning your car into a connected car. They intend to do this in a year's time and you will get office365 on your car plus integration with service centre, traffic info and all that.
Would the user be forced to use BSNL ? The embedded SIM can anyway be reprogrammed with another operator's profile.
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Old 29th January 2019, 07:58   #7
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re: BSNL to supply 5G SIM cards to Tata Motors' connected cars

I think the idea is brilliant but am a little worried about the tie up with BSNL. Why? Cause their network has the ability to pack up just like that and there will be no accountability, which then defeats the purpose of having a connected car. In my experience, BSNL works better in rural areas than our metro and metropolitan cities.

This is the kind of technology that Tesla used to unlock 50 miles or so of additional range when hurricane michael struck. One example of the many things that are possible.

It is also important for TATA to follow some kind of secure network protocol so the system is secure.
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Old 29th January 2019, 09:18   #8
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re: BSNL to supply 5G SIM cards to Tata Motors' connected cars

Kind of off topic, but just wondering TATA's move to pack up their own network. Basic telemetry apps aren't that much data hungry if they are pre loading their map data and stuff.

Secondly why tieing up, simply give people an option to connect to a hotspot or may be open SIM slot? Since who will pay for the additional data/network charge? TATA or their customers?

From technical point a view, there isn't a standard yet for 5G. Which type of hardware (5G modem?) are they using? BSNL is really pathetic when comes to network. I am not going into the reasons, be it political, conspiracy or simply incompetent staff, at the end for a customer network performance matters. Sadly BSNL falls flat here.
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Old 29th January 2019, 09:38   #9
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Re: BSNL to help Tata Motors convert Harrier, Hexa and Tiago into SMART cars with 5G SIM cards

Quote:
Originally Posted by NaXal View Post
Kind of off topic, but just wondering TATA's move to pack up their own network. Basic telemetry apps aren't that much data hungry if they are pre loading their map data and stuff.

Secondly why tieing up, simply give people an option to connect to a hotspot or may be open SIM slot? Since who will pay for the additional data/network charge? TATA or their customers?

From technical point a view, there isn't a standard yet for 5G. Which type of hardware (5G modem?) are they using? BSNL is really pathetic when comes to network. I am not going into the reasons, be it political, conspiracy or simply incompetent staff, at the end for a customer network performance matters. Sadly BSNL falls flat here.
No worries. Any operator can be chosen with the e-sim. 5G has standards. New feature addition is a continuous process. Same with 4G, features are still being added ! The holy grail vehicle to vehicle communications that is being touted is more for autonomous vehicles where you need real low latency and it will also have mesh networks to talk to other cars and infra (like traffic posts etc). 5G is still in experimental stages in that area.

They will give you a connected car and you can port your BSNL to any other operator
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Old 29th January 2019, 11:40   #10
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Re: BSNL to help Tata Motors convert Harrier, Hexa and Tiago into SMART cars with 5G SIM cards

Quote:
Originally Posted by JS Kwt View Post
the telco anticipated sales of 50 million M2M SIM cards with future-ready 5G capability over next year, predominantly for the automobile and home automation sectors.

M2M technology enables communication between wired and wireless devices using sensors and applications that can be deployed in new-age infrastructure projects such as smart transportation, smart cities, smart grids, smart homes and smart healthcare.
Quote:
Originally Posted by libranof1987 View Post
Good to see Tata embracing this technology, they're far ahead of the pack (among mass market manufacturers). Hope they make the most of the first-mover advantage. Interesting move to rope in BSNL for this though; noteworthy that they're going straight to 5G, a technology that isn't even mainstream yet... Looking at the spread of "smart" and inter-device connectivity in every day life; this has tremendous potential and applicability.
Quote:
Originally Posted by srishiva View Post
Really ? Is there any vehicle to vehicle or vehicle to Infra kind of communication solution involved in this ? Just giving 5G SIM cards to cars will not make it M2M. There is a complete suite of technology for M2M and the last sentence in the post tells what actually it is. Providing data connectivity.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr.Suraj View Post
I think Tata has partnered with Microsoft for the infrastructure and software part of the M2M. That news was about a year ago. It seems to be moving if 5 lakhs SIM cards have already been provided.
Quote:
Originally Posted by NaXal View Post
From technical point a view, there isn't a standard yet for 5G. Which type of hardware (5G modem?) are they using?
Quote:
Originally Posted by srishiva View Post
5G has standards. New feature addition is a continuous process. Same with 4G, features are still being added ! The holy grail vehicle to vehicle communications that is being touted is more for autonomous vehicles where you need real low latency and it will also have mesh networks to talk to other cars and infra (like traffic posts etc). 5G is still in experimental stages in that area.
Couple of weeks back, I read news : Ford steps away from DSRC, embraces 5G cellular for connected vehicles. The main reasons cited were : [Source]
  • the costs associated with dedicated infrastructure
  • piggyback on already-existing infrastructure (5G in future)
  • safer, more reliable option
  • 5G broadband is about 10 times faster than current broadband
  • Consumer devices such as cell phones are also already poised to use the technology

Also, I read this article : Ford plans new wireless technology for connected cars in 2022. [Source]

Quote:
C-V2X is a wireless communication technology that can "talk" to and "listen" for similarly equipped vehicles, people and traffic management infrastructure such as traffic lights to relay important information and help make city mobility safer and less congested. Planned alongside the rapidly building 5G cellular network, C-V2X enables direct communication between the connected devices, meaning a signal doesn't need to first travel to a cellular tower, allowing vehicles to quickly send and receive information. Ultimately, it lets drivers know what's ahead of them even before they have to encounter it.
So, Tata seems to be making right moves and at appropriate times. We have to wait to see how it ultimately turns out.

Quote:
Originally Posted by NaXal View Post
who will pay for the additional data/network charge? TATA or their customers?
This is very easy to answer. Obviously customer has to pay for everything. Whether its visible or not that's a different matter. This is true with anything, not just automobiles.
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Old 29th January 2019, 12:04   #11
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Re: BSNL to help Tata Motors convert Harrier, Hexa and Tiago into SMART cars with 5G SIM cards

The SIM cards are 5G ready. It has to be seen how fast the Telecom infrastructure shifts to 5G. Until then the mentioned Smart Tech will roll out using the existing Network.

Quote:
Originally Posted by AutoNoob View Post

This is very easy to answer. Obviously customer has to pay for everything. Whether its visible or not that's a different matter. This is true with anything, not just automobiles.
Yes, it's obvious the Customer has to bear the cost.
Be it a direct end-user subscription or a company offered package.

The Article also gives a reference of the cost per month which BSNL is eyeing
Quote:
Originally Posted by JS Kwt View Post
Shrivastava estimates the telco’s entry into the M2M space could garner at least “Rs 20 a month per SIM, which would potentially translate into a sizeable Rs 1,200 crore revenue opportunity annually.”

Source- Full Article
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Old 29th January 2019, 12:54   #12
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Re: BSNL to supply 5G SIM cards to Tata Motors' connected cars

1) TATA sold about 2L cars in 2018 so 5L claim doesn't exactly match. Maybe this included commercial vehicles, still?

2) 10L targeted sims in 2019? For what 4-5 sims per vehicle?

3) Sims themselves are probably given out for free by BSNL as a marketing cost for connections but the service paid for by either tata or customer would be charged. If TATA is paying service provider may remain the same. If customer he may have an option to port.

4) Good initiative but there has to be something majorly proprietary for Tata to reap and benefits. Else like tata using AMT or Diesel engines from fiat first, they will be a smaller user when Maruti wakes up late but gets into the game. TATA and BSNL need to create some unique entry barriers to really benefit.

5) 50L sims over 2019 (mainly in automotive sector) by BSNL implies they are talking to Maruti. No one else has these numbers. Frankly nor do they. Someone seems to be making an extra zero error.

Last edited by ACM : 29th January 2019 at 12:58.
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Old 29th January 2019, 13:23   #13
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Re: BSNL to supply 5G SIM cards to Tata Motors' connected cars

Quote:
Originally Posted by ACM View Post
1) TATA sold about 2L cars in 2018 so 5L claim doesn't exactly match. Maybe this included commercial vehicles, still?
2) 10L targeted sims in 2019? For what 4-5 sims per vehicle?
This is possible if we consider the aftermarket devices like Suzuki Connect are also considered, which will bring in volumes from already sold vehicles.
Quote:
5) 50L sims over 2019 (mainly in automotive sector) by BSNL implies they are talking to Maruti. No one else has these numbers. Frankly nor do they. Someone seems to be making an extra zero error.
Quote:
OP Source : telco anticipated sales of 50 million M2M SIM cards with future-ready 5G capability over next year, predominantly for the automobile and home automation sectors
Surely, someone mixed-up up between 50L and 50 million. Even if its 50L, it is too optimistic, even if home automation is taken into account.
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