Earlier this week, General Motors’ telematics subsidiary OnStar launched its suite of services in Mexico. In doing so, it opened a new call center in the country and partnered with telecom giant Telefónica to provide its 2014 model year vehicles with the service.
While largely unknown in North America, Telefónica is actually quite the global company. Here are five facts you might not know about GM-OnStar’s newest partner.
1. It’s Actually Spanish
Telefónica is a broadband and telecom firm headquartered in the Distrito Telefónica in Madrid, Spain. It operates in Latin America, Europe, and Asia and is the fifth-largest mobile network provider in the world (by subscriber base).
2. It’s A “Movistar”
Telefónica operates the Movistar cellar and wired networks in Spain and Latin America. It is a distant second in Mexico (to América Móvil). However, it is the largest (by subscriber base) in Chile, Venezuela, Brazil, and Peru — lending a clue about which carrier OnStar will use in its (ensuing) expansion to Latin America.
3. It Also Likes O2
Telefónica operates the O2 carrier in most of Europe. The company, known as Telefónica Europe in the continent, provides both fixed and mobile telephony operations in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia.
Given the proliferation of O2 in Europe, OnStar will utilize the Telefónica network in its eventual expansion to European markets — having already partnered with the company.
And this makes turns us to the fact that Telefónica will likely play a substantial role in GM’s goal of equipping its vehicles with high-speed 4G LTE technology. To note, Telefónica is already rolling out 4G LTE in certain markets that it serves, so it’s likely that it will be the carrier of choice for GM in Mexico, Latin America, and parts of Europe.
Comments
How does Onstar do it ? Their product does not work ,it”sin all GM vehicles <they do not support it and GM refuses to help their customers deal with them .
How does OnStar do what? And why do you think their product does “not work”?
How does 0nstar stay in GM cars when GM will 100percent NOT help their customers deal with them when Onstar creates a communications block at the corporate level instead of dealing with customer issues? My reason for saying it does not work is because I have paid countless extra tolls and lost fuel due to wrong directions actually being steered into the WRONG STATE on several occasions . All my issues are documented by on star.
Telefónica Española came to Puerto Rico to buy the long distance company founded by Puerto Rico Telephone Company (PRTC). In 2009, América Móvil bought PRTC from Verizon and renamed it as Claro. Seems like OnStar could not establish an agreement with América Móvl, and went with the competition.
I have OnStar equipment in my 2009 Equinox, and I cannot activate it. I am hoping that Telefónica Española will allow OnStar to work in Puerto Rico for the first time. GM should help it happen.