Networked car
With the BMW iX, the BMW Group is the first premium manufacturer to bring the 5G mobile communications standard to a globally available production vehicle. To match this, Swisscom is offering the first 5G option for a vehicle anywhere in Switzerland.
This turns the car — like a smartwatch or tablet — into another connected device for customers: essentially a smartphone on the move. An existing blue Mobile or NATEL go contract can simply be extended with the Multi Device option "Cars & Mobilities" for CHF 10.— per month to link the vehicle to the existing Swisscom mobile communications contract via eSIM.
For business customers with a NATEL® go and MultiDevice subscription, the use of the BMW Personal eSIM function will be available from 2024 at the earliest.
The benefits are obvious: the eSIM connects directly to the Swisscom mobile network via the vehicle's external antenna, enabling the best Swisscom connectivity inside the car. The vehicle becomes a mobile device on the move — without the smartphone having to be there. This means that making calls, sending messages and surfing the Internet can be done independently in the vehicle, even if you have left your mobile phone at home. Thanks to the "follow-me" function, connectivity follows the customer via BMW ID. This means it is always present automatically when the vehicle is changed or a rental vehicle is used. Thanks to the car's integrated 5G WiFi hotspot, all passengers benefit from the best network. The BMW app and automatic installation in the car ensure getting started is simple and intuitive. "We are delighted to be working with BMW to bring the best Swisscom network to the car. Swisscom is the exclusive partner of BMW Group Switzerland and the first ICT company in Switzerland to launch such an option. This puts us among the top 5 providers worldwide and right at the forefront when it comes to making it easy for our customers to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the connected world," explains Dirk Wierzbitzki, Head of Residential Customers and Member of the Executive Board at Swisscom.
Paul de Courtois, President & CEO of BMW (Switzerland) AG, adds: "We are on our way into the 5G era. With the Personal eSIM, we are essentially transforming the automobile into another digital end device in the customer's ecosystem. For this step in Switzerland, we have a strong partner in Swisscom for the fastest connectivity in the 5G network."