Telefonica has reached an agreement with California-based Tesla, an all-electric vehicle manufacturer, to provide M2M connectivity for the Tesla Model S in Europe. Telefonica and its M2M World Alliance partners will enable connectivity for the Model S in several European countries, including in Germany and the UK on Telefonica’s O2 network, in Spain on Movistar, and in the Netherlands on KPN. Telefonica’s connectivity will power Tesla’s in-car infotainment telematics, including navigation, online music, and internet browsing, and remote vehicle diagnostics that relay information about the car’s safety, security and performance to the driver and Tesla service in real time. The Tesla Model S was launched globally in 2012 and European roll out began in 2013. Its numerous features include remote driver support and a connected infotainment control centre with internet radio, web browsing, live traffic, weather and navigation accessible via a 17-inch touchscreen.
The agreement, which establishes Telefonica as Tesla’s largest European connectivity partner, is supported by KPN in the Netherlands and Belgium as part of the M2M World Alliance, simplifying Tesla’s deployment of connected cars. At the presentation of the deal, Telefonica revealed that according to its Connected Car Industry 2013 report, the number of vehicles with built-in connectivity will increase from 10 percent of the overall market today to 90 percent by 2020.
