Telstra has signed an agreement with Tesla Motors to provide machine-to-machine (M2M) connectivity for the US-based electric automaker’s Model S car in Australia.
Under the agreement, Telstra will use its mobile network footprint - which covers more than 2.3 million square kilometers, including 8,300 km of Australian highways - to provide connectivity for a range of features in the Model S – including infotainment and remote diagnostics systems.
Telstra Mobile executive director John Chambers said Australia is poised to enter an era where cars, like smartphones, connect to the mobile network --thus improving road safety, reducing the cost of maintenance, and expanding in-car entertainment and information options.
“Increasingly technology is becoming top of mind for Australians choosing new cars and by 2025 we expect 90% of new vehicles sold in Australia will come ready to connect to a mobile network,” said Chambers.
He said the Telstra Mobile Network will also make it possible for Model S owners to use a special app to remotely control features in their vehicle.
“Using the Tesla app, owners can check the progress of their vehicle’s charge, turn on air-conditioning remotely, and even unlock doors without using a key,” he said.
Telstra also connects the remote engine diagnostics system that can relay information about the car's performance to Tesla service staff. If an owner feels something is wrong with their car, remote diagnosis helps enable Tesla determine the issue and offer a solution without direct access to the car.
The Telstra partnership is Tesla’s latest operator tie-up in Asia. In September, Tesla announced a partnership with China Unicom to expand its network of charging points in China.