
One of the advantages over the sensors used in many connected cars already is that LTE can travel longer distances, Vodafone said. The concept of an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) would allow vehicles to communicate with each other and with roadside infrastructure. For example, a car which is part of the ITS will be able to tell other cars of its intention to change lane or to signal an emergency stop. The vehicle could also be told the optimal speed to drive in order to avoid traffic congestion.
LTE-V2X means connecting vehicles (V) to everything (X). Vodafone is working with industry partners to develop LTE-V2X through the standards organisation 3GPP. The operator has already completed an initial validation of LTE-V2X on a private test track in the UK and said it is actively developing plans to trial it in Germany. Vodafone and Huawei will be discussing the plans at the Paris Motor Show.