Here comes the Wi-Fi car
Chrysler will begin selling cars with built-in Wi-Fi (as an option) in 2009. You can work on a laptop in your car (not a good idea if you are driving) or let passengers use the network while on the move. The vehicles will use a cellular connection as backhaul. Buses and trains have already been offering Wi-Fi to passengers. I have written about bus and train operators in Europe and the US that have wireless access points that use HSPA as backhaul and provide Wi-Fi connectivity to the passengers. Indeed, bus lines in the UK have been offering free WI-Fi to attract more customers. With the rising cost of petrol, more people have been using public transportation regardless of the availability of amenities such as Wi-Fi.
The quality of the connection in your car will depend primarily upon the backhaul. Is there 3G or better in the region through which you are traveling? If you are in a city, no problem. Many urban areas such as London have HSPA coverage. But what if you are driving between Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington? There’s a reason why train operators use a mix of satellite and cellular backhaul. I doubt Chrysler’s vehicles will have a satellite connection.
Related stories:
Free Wi-Fi service on trains in Denmark
Free Wi-Fi adds to comforts on luxury bus between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur
Loading ...