GM Sees a Market For $5/Day Dedicated In-Car Internet

An anonymous reader writes "$5 doesn't sound like much for a day of internet service in some contexts: it's less than you might pay for it in-flight, and less than a few espresso drinks if you're lured in by a coffee shop's Wi-Fi service. But not all internet service is created equal; would you pay $5 for a month of in-car internet service if it meant a 200-meg cap, which is (only) 'enough to stream more than 6.5 hours of music?' That's where a new dedicated Internet service from GM starts (also at the WSJ, paywalled), and it's $10 for drivers who aren't also OnStar subscribers. Probably a more likely option for the occasional road trip, though, is $5 per day service (no OnStar requirement) for 250MB of data. Why wouldn't someone just use a smartphone with a data plan, or a dedicated hotspot device? GM thinks they'll be drawn to 'a powerful antenna that's stronger than that of a smartphone, along with a Wi-Fi hotspot that operates without draining a mobile device's battery. That hotspot is on any time the car is on.'"

"GM thinks" there's your problem.

[nospam007]

"GM thinks they'll be drawn to 'a powerful antenna that's stronger than that of a smartphone, along with a Wi-Fi hotspot that operates without draining a mobile device's battery. That hotspot is on any time the car is on.'

My car also has a 'powerful antenna' for my cellphone and my phone has a Wifi-hotspot and it also doesn't drain the mobile's battery because by cellphone is in its socket and powered by the car battery. I pay 5 bucks a month for unlimited usage already.

We should we pay twice?

My honest response to $5/day for 250MB

[Anonymous Coward]

would be "GM, go fuck yourself."

Still stuck in an analogue thinking pattern

[faffod]

When everything was analogue, you needed a custom device for each service (phone, TV, fax, etc). In the digital era that way of thinking is as archaic as the dinosaur. I do not want an internet connection that might be slightly better than my current phone, only to be left in the dust in a couple of years. I want a system that allows me to add my phone's internet the car seamlessly.
Yes someone is monetizing my mobile internet; no that doesn't mean that I want everyone monetizing it over and over again.

$150 MRC for hotspot that doesn't travel with you?

[jk379]

I just don't see the cost working out. On top of that if you have the car for 10-20 years it's going to be the same as having an old 8 track. Car NAV systems don't seem to age well, I don't see this keeping up with the times. 5G will be out before too much longer.

Sounds Familiar

[Virtucon]

For over a decade the Automotive industry has been trying to tie mobile Internet access into very rigid platforms that add to the cost of the vehicle. These systems are usually obsolete by the time they make it to market and are not easily upgradable in the field. With the wealth of cell phones and other in-car add-ins (tom tom etc.) The value of these auto industry developed systems becomes less and less important. Sure, there's a "bling" factor to them but don't forget that you'll want it updated to something else about as often as you upgrade your cell phone. That means that supporting things like BlueTooth and USB/iPhone connectivity and integration are where the industry should be, not trying to build out another island of isolated electronics.

In-car charging anyone?

[Anonymous Coward]

Last time I checked, I could already charge my phone in the car. So there goes the "battery drain" argument. And I can use the personal hotspot plan my phone already comes with. No thanks, GM.

Re:"GM thinks" there's your problem.

[PolygamousRanchKid]

GM got bailed out by the government because it was "too big to fail." Guess what? GM is still "too big to fail."

They can go ahead and try out any screwball idea they want. If it loses money . . . the government will pick up the tab.

It's sort of like a venture capital investment operation . . . except the taxpayers get stuck with the losses, and none of the rewards.

Re:"GM thinks" there's your problem.

[TigerTime]

How about this: They provide BOTH options and we'll see which one is more popular in 2 years.

Whichever car company makes it easy for my phone to be the brains of the entertainment system, and their screen just be a dumb terminal for my phone's data will get to sell me a new car.

Re:"GM thinks" there's your problem.

[Opportunist]

Privatize profits, socialize losses.

Capitalism and communism, finally united in harmony.

Re:My honest response to $5/day for 250MB

[Opportunist]

You'll pay for it. Either now or with the next bailout when that bomb drops.