Bell is the first Canadian wireless service provider to enable built-in Wi-Fi hotspots in supported Ford and Lincoln vehicles
Telecommunications giant Bell Canada has teamed up with Ford to enable built-in Wi-Fi hotspot in Ford vehicles. It will also support vehicle diagnostics services.
Bell recently announced that it is the first Canadian wireless service provider to enable built-in Wi-Fi hotspots in supported Ford and Lincoln vehicles with its Connected Car – Built In service.
Announcing the partnership, Nauby Jacob, Vice President of Products and Services at Bell Mobility, said that drivers and passengers will be able to connect to Wi-Fi just as conveniently in their Ford and Lincoln vehicles as they do in their homes.
Connected Car enables passengers to browse, stream and share on Bell’s broadband LTE wireless network when they’re on the road or nearby the vehicle when it’s parked.
The Wi-Fi hotspot features a dedicated external antenna and supports up to 10 devices at a time. Bell said that the service is powered by the vehicle’s electrical system rather than the device battery.
The capabilities can be added to vehicles through the OBD-II port.
The Connected Car – Built In service will also allow car owners to get data on vehicle usage, such as braking and speed info. In addition, if something is mechanically wrong with the vehicle, the owners will be notified through engine diagnostics.
Marc Vejgman, Connected Vehicle Marketing Manager for Ford of Canada, noted that having reliable Wi-Fi on the go is no longer just ‘nice to have’ but it’s become a ‘must-have,’ and that Ford understands it.
“Connecting our vehicles is part of building smart vehicles for a smart world, and we look forward to working with Bell to offer Ford customers another way to stay connected across Canada,” Vejgman said.
Bell Connected Car – Built In will be available for supported Ford and Lincoln vehicles beginning November 6.
