Audi and Verizon announced that they are teaming up to add 5G connectivity to Audi’s vehicles by 2024. Together, they plan to bring 5G Ultra-wideband technology to provide the speed and telecommunication architecture needed for certain services. This includes highly personalized mobile services, new driver-assistance features, and connectivity-enabled innovations for automation.

For example, passengers will be able to download or stream entertainment at higher speeds and with better quality than ever before. ‘Infotainment’ and navigation systems will also be enhanced with things like HD/3D mapping and video, cloud-based user profiles, and mobile retail capabilities.

In terms of the driving experience, vehicles will be able to receive firmware and software upgrades over the air to ensure that the in-vehicle technology remains capable and current. This is similar to how mobile phones get upgraded. 

As for future connectivity, Audi and Verizon are developing cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X) technology which is made possible by the 5G technology. It will be designed to allow vehicles to respond to other vehicles and the infrastructure around them for low-latency alerts and messages. This is a crucial part of the development of automated vehicles and future safety advancements as technology improves. 

Audi became the first automaker to introduce in-vehicle Wi-Fi and 4G LTE connectivity in 2015, so the announcement of adding the next generation of connectivity comes with no surprise. General Motors and AT&T made a similar deal to equip all model year 2024 Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac, and GMC vehicles with 5G.

Meanwhile, Verizon has been expanding its high-performance 5G Ultra-wideband network to increase its coverage and speed to more users. Their 5G Ultra-wideband network currently uses 28 GHz and 39 GHz mmWave spectrum bands. Even though 5G goes up to about 100 gigahertz (GHz), there is currently no frequency above 39 GHz that is used.