Connected car service that allows you to share numbers with DoCoMo and BMW, and with smartphones and vehicles

Image of connected car service that can share numbers with docomo and BMW, smartphone and vehicle

NTT DoCoMo and BMW (BMW) announced on March 1 that they will provide Japan's first 5G and connected car service compatible with consumer eSIM from the same day. Compatible vehicles are "BMW iX" and "BMW i4", which will be gradually expanded. In December 2018, DoCoMo, the BMW Group at the German headquarters, and BMW began considering collaboration for mounting the "Consumer eSIM", which can be remotely written to the profile and mainly installed in consumer devices. It is said that it has reached the joint development of a mechanism that enables mobile communication by installing a 5G module and consumer eSIM in a BMW vehicle. As a result, BMW iX and BMW i4 are the first connected cars to support DoCoMo's optional service "One Number Service," which allows users to share one phone number between smartphones and accessory terminals for voice and data communications. The phone number and rate plan currently being used on the smartphone can be used on the compatible vehicle as it is, and it is possible to build a voice call and internet communication environment in the vehicle without connecting the smartphone and the compatible vehicle via Bluetooth. The BMW iX and BMW i4 have traditionally been equipped with eSIM to provide various services of "BMW Connected Drive", but in addition to this, they are equipped with consumer eSIM and 5G modules used in the connected car service. And it supports 5G. With the latest mobile technology "DSDA (Dual-SIM-Dual-Active)" installed in the vehicle, two eSIMs can be activated at the same time, and in addition to the communication of the BMW connected drive, the user's own voice call and data communication are also possible. It is said that it can be used via a vehicle. 5G compatible in-car Wi-Fi using consumer eSIM can also be set up. You can connect up to 10 smartphones and tablets in the car and use 5G high-speed data communication. The connected car service is a site displayed after logging in to the "My BMW" app provided by BMW or the "BMW portal site" with "BMW ID" and a contract for a one-number service with a monthly usage fee (tax included) of 550 yen. You can use it by logging in with "d account" and linking your BMW ID and "d account". The service can be used not only for vehicles purchased by individuals, but also for rent-a-cars and car-sharing vehicles.