Autonet Mobile Brings the Internet to Vehicles

Earlier this year a prototype of the first automotive “Internet radio,” developed by radio manufacturer Blaupunkt in cooperation with Internet company miRoamer was shown at the 2009 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES, see the January 26, 2009 issue of Radio TechCheck for additional information). This radio (not yet available for purchase) is designed to access the Internet using a Bluetooth link, for example, to a broadband-enabled cell phone, and once connected, it accesses the miRoamer Internet portal where thousands of audio streams are available.

Another way to bring the Internet into a vehicle that is available now turns the vehicle into a Wi-Fi “hot spot.” Autonet Mobile (San Francisco, CA, www.autonetmobile.com) has developed a device (shown in the image below) which is essentially a 3G wireless broadband device combined with a Wi-Fi broadband router. This device, available for purchase for as little as $300, is installed in the vehicle and once the user has obtained an annual subscription ($29 for 1 GB per month, $59 for 5 GB per month), the device can access the Internet through Autonet’s “uconnect Web” portal. The tables below approximate how much streaming (upper table) and/or content (lower table) can be obtained per month under the 1 GB and 5 GB options.

The first two automakers to make Autonet Mobile available as dealer-installed options were Chrysler (in August, 2008, in a variety of models) and Cadillac (in April, 2009, in the CTS). Last week, the Volkswagen Routan minivan was added to this list. Car dealers typically charge $499 for the Autonet Mobile device, however there are online vendors who sell it for less (a list of vendors is given on the Autonet Mobile Web site at www.autonetmobile.com/how-would-you-like-to-purchase-your-autonet-mobile-router).

Autonet Mobile runs over “...the largest nationwide 3G network” and is available all over the U.S. and parts of Canada. While no network carrier is mentioned on the Autonet Mobile Web site, when the “coverage map” link is selected, a Verizon Wireless coverage map appears.

According to the Autonet Mobile Web page, all Wi-Fi enabled devices will work with Autonet Mobile including Macintosh and Windows laptops, Playstation Portables (PSPs), Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), and iPhones and the iPod Touch. The Autonet Mobile Wi-Fi connection is secured with WEP encryption, MAC address restriction or WAN port restriction, and supports VPN pass-through (WPA2 will be available in a few months). Over the 3G network, download speeds average from 400-800 kbps, and upload speeds range from 128-300 kbps. When not on 3G, the average download speed is 120-200 kbps and 50-100 kbps for upload. The range of the Autonet Mobile router is 100-150ft.

NAB Satellite Uplink Operators Training Seminar
October 5 - 8, 2009 Washington, DC
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