T-Mobile is going to help self-driving cars run on a loop with its 5G network. The 5G network will be private, and ensure consistent and reliable connection for moving passenger vehicles.
T-Mobile to offer reliable and private 5G network for self-driving cars
5G networks were supposed to bring a revolution in wireless internet. Carriers promised ultra-high-speed connections with low latency. Although 5G has yet to live up to the lofty expectations, it is going to help autonomous passenger vehicles.
T-Mobile is trying to prove how 5G networks can be helpful in multiple scenarios. The company recently indicated it is offering a new 5G-based service to help emergency workers and citizens stay connected. Now, the carrier announced in a press release that it’s working with Miller Electric Company.
Specifically speaking, T-Mobile is going to support autonomous shuttles with 5G network connectivity. According to the telecom service provider, “T-Mobile will deliver highly secure, reliable two-way communications between the shuttles and the command center.
T-Mobile will also share real-time telemetry data from onboard sensors as well as audio and video feeds to connect employees with passengers. Simply put, T-Mobile is offering a dedicated, private 5G network to a fleet of self-driving cars.
How will a private 5G network work with passenger vehicles?
Miller Electric Company is reportedly bringing fully autonomous shuttles to a three-mile strip in Jacksonville. Self-driving shuttles will connect the EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville to the new waterfront project. The fleet should start operations next year.
The bus-shaped shuttles will rely on T-Mobile’s Advanced Network Solutions (ANS) and connect to a private 5G network. One of the parties involved in the project has stated that existing standards, such as Wi-Fi, aren’t as reliable or scalable as 5G.
A dedicated and private 5G network should remain invisible and inaccessible to the general population. In other words, T-Mobile could be reserving a small slice of the 5G spectrum for self-driving cars. This would ensure congestion-free connectivity for high-bandwidth applications.
In its press release, T-Mobile has urged cities and government departments to explore the possibilities 5G networks can unlock. The company has implied that 5G isn’t limited to smartphones and home broadband. This strongly suggests T-Mobile is trying to expand in other markets using its 5G networks.
