[Jason]

This just out of CES 2011 - future BMWs will soon be using AT&T's mobile broadband network for always-on in-car access to traffic, weather, and infotainment services such as web access, webradio, facebook, and twitter. See the following press release, via Engadget.

PRESS RELEASE + Expand

AT&T to Provide Wireless Services for Enhanced Functionality to Premium Automaker

Enhanced Suite of Connected Services Delivered Over AT&T Mobile Broadband Network

DALLAS, Jan. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- AT&T*, the leader in emerging devices, today announced an agreement with BMW to wirelessly deliver an enhanced suite of safety and infotainment services to future BMW models.

These enhancements build on BMW's existing portfolio of connected services – known as BMW Assist – which includes, among others features, direct access to emergency and concierge call center services, traffic information and an online portal for weather forecasts, fuel prices, and news.

Contractual and financial details are not being disclosed. Information on enhanced services will be made available at launch.

"This is an exciting opportunity," said Glenn Lurie, president, emerging devices, resale and partnerships, AT&T. "BMW has been an industry leader in the connected vehicle space for many years and we look forward to providing the wireless network that will keep drivers connected to the content and services they rely on."

AT&T created its emerging device organization in late 2008 as part of a strategic initiative to introduce wireless capabilities to a host of new consumer electronics, tracking and healthcare devices, and other applications beyond the traditional handset.

The organization is a key component of AT&T's business strategy to further grow its wireless penetration and develop new distribution models - and it builds on AT&T's industry-leading work over the past decade with enterprise customers to enable specialty devices to access its wireless network.

AT&T, which offers the nation's fastest mobile broadband network, announced in October that more than 4.5 million connected devices had been added to the AT&T network in the past four quarters. The total third quarter emerging devices growth, which includes 1.2 million connected devices as well as embedded computing devices, was nearly 1.6 million.

[guydude]

Amazing

[jaybird124]

Now my BMW can drop calls too.

[e46e92love]

Originally Posted by jaybird124

Now my BMW can drop calls too.

[AMB]

Originally Posted by jaybird124

Now my BMW can drop calls too.

Exactly. Partnering up with only one carrier is bullsh!t, give us the choice of who to use. Don't force us into AT&T which for some (raises hand) is completely useless where they live.

I can't wait for my contract to be up so I can drop kick this iPhone.

[e92miami]

Originally Posted by jaybird124

Now my BMW can drop calls too.

[DTMrack.com]

I have to say this is not very exciting.

A company like AT&T is always looking to nickel and dime us. All this means is that if we want whatever BMW is going to be offering with this integration we're going to have to pay a monthly fee for it, one that AT&T will set.

I can hear it now:

"Get everything VW users get for free by syncing their iphones via bluetooth, but because you drive a BMW, you can get it for the moderate low price of $59.99. AT&T...pay us for things you already pay us for" End commercial.

[skidderss]

Originally Posted by AMB

I can't wait for my contract to be up so I can drop kick this iPhone.

Absolutely. I'm switching back to VZW when the new iPhone comes out on their network and has a few positive reviews.

AT&T is not acceptable in Minneapolis. Two iPhones in the household, neither of them are usable. Drops calls, failed calls, etc. The biggest annoyance is missed text messages where neither party has a clue it failed. We don't use TXT for anything important anymore.

Humorous: We used to own a condo downtown MPLS and we'd constantly drop calls. We called customer service constantly and finally got an answer "there are too many towers downtown, the phone can't choose."....what??? Meanwhile our VZW phone always worked (we used it to call CS). It became VZW for a phone, iPhone for a smart phone in a Wi-Fi zone or a calls in pinch.

Perhaps the BMW has a full watt phone unit in it (akin to a Bag Phone back in the day) and the reception isn't an issue. I hope so!

[fherjohn]

Toyota is doing something similar as well.

[nyc4runnin]

Originally Posted by AMB

Exactly. Partnering up with only one carrier is bullsh!t, give us the choice of who to use. Don't force us into AT&T which for some (raises hand) is completely useless where they live.

I can't wait for my contract to be up so I can drop kick this iPhone.

Most likely why they chose AT&T is because of their GSM network in the USA. Since they can just swap SIM cards, the technology can be used anywhere in the world since other countries mostly use GSM as well.

hopefully, we can pop in a prepaid tmobile sim card in hahaha, maybe we need to "unlock" the car first !

[Imola.ZHP]

dislike

[3s-a-charm]

I'm Canadian, but I thought you weren't allowed to use "AT&T" and "always-on" in the same sentence in the US.

[Duncanp64]

still waiting for my iphone 4 snap in adapter... blah!

[Jgcdude1]

Talked to my dealer, January 15 is the official US release date!

Originally Posted by Duncanp64

still waiting for my iphone 4 snap in adapter... blah!

[Technic]

I think that AT&T has been the Assist provider (from Verizon) since the introduction of the GSM TCU at 03/08 production.

So this should not be such a stretch.

[cotmfk]

Boo. Too much junk in the car. No wonder they are gaining and gaining weight! And AT&T! Boo on that, too.

[antzcrashing]

Originally Posted by cotmfk

Boo. Too much junk in the car. No wonder they are gaining and gaining weight! And AT&T! Boo on that, too.

+1. don't like BMW, iphone, ATT alliances.

get Android and Verizon

[bavarian19]

Originally Posted by jaybird124

Now my BMW can drop calls too.

[OdomPHD]

Originally Posted by AMB

Exactly. Partnering up with only one carrier is bullsh!t, give us the choice of who to use. Don't force us into AT&T which for some (raises hand) is completely useless where they live.

I can't wait for my contract to be up so I can drop kick this iPhone.

[chemgeek]

Well, that explains why the BMW assist/BMW search feature doesn't always connect (states "this feature is not available at this time")

[02black330ci]

Wow this fully sucks, oh well..... Hopefully BMW will get smart and listen to us for once and allow us to choose from atleast 2 or 3 providers

[cmk227]

Originally Posted by 02black330ci

Wow this fully sucks, oh well..... Hopefully BMW will get smart and listen to us for once and allow us to choose from atleast 2 or 3 providers

1.