Driving may be getting even more dangerous come 2014.Rogers Communications Inc. is partnering with Sprint Corp. to provide Wifi-enabled cars. This service, which Sprint already introduced in the United States last year, could be available in Canada as soon as 2014.

The “connected car” wireless service will provide Canadians high-speed internet access while on the road. However, only cars which include the Sprint Velocity System such as Chrysler will be able access this service. Users will have access to news, sports scores, weather alerts, driving directions and vehicle diagnostics via an in-dash touch screen. Also, the system enables drivers to use their smartphones to start their engines. This all is made possible by built in wireless modems and SIM cards in cars using this system.

With over 20 million vehicles on the road in Canada Rogers see this as a major opportunity for themselves as they look to capitalize on the need for Canadians to be constantly connected to the internet. The price for the WIFI has not yet been disclosed but Rogers is suggesting that users will be able to connect a car as part of their family plans with the company. The phenomenon of Wifi-enabled cars seems to be a large one, as it is estimated that there will be over 100 million connected cars globally  by 2016.

Article Links:

http://www.bnn.ca/News/2013/9/26/WiFi-enabled-vehicles-coming-to-Canada.aspx

http://www.ctvnews.ca/autos/wi-fi-enabled-cars-coming-to-canada-in-2014-1.1471524