Japan's KDDI has teamed up with Toyota to establish a global communications platform to support connected cars.
Toyota has announced plans to develop globally uniform data communications modules for its in-vehicle connectivity by 2019.
By 2020, these modules will be installed as standard equipment in nearly all new Toyota and Lexus vehicles sold in Japan and the US, and the modules will be installed in a range of new vehicles in other major markets over time.
To support this goal Toyota and KDDI will jointly plan and design a global communications platform, to be developed and operated by the Japanese operator.
The platform will allow globally uniform data communications modules to automatically connect with operators in different countries without relying on global roaming services.
“It is a great honor for KDDI to be able to conclude a global-scale partnership agreement with Toyota regarding connected vehicle initiatives,” KDDI president Takashi Tanaka commented.
“We are excited to participate in this large project which aims for a future where vehicles are connected in a variety of countries all over the world, and we are committed to doing everything possible to lead the project to success. Putting together the capability of the entire KDDI Group which deploys business globally, we plan to fully support the vehicle connectivity initiative."
In Korea, SK Telecom recently announced plans to launch the nation's first connected car service linking a mobile navigation app with an in-vehicle navigation system for more accurate location information.