Verizon has officially become part of the connectivity stack for new BMW vehicles in the United States, giving the carrier a direct role in the brand’s next generation of connected cars. The arrangement means Verizon’s 5G network will help power the in-car experience for BMW models built for the US market.
The partnership also includes KDDI, which has long worked with BMW Group and Verizon. According to the official announcement cited by GSMArena, Verizon will provide 5G Standalone Connected Vehicles service for BMW.
All new BMW vehicles built for the US market are covered
BMW has not named the exact models that will receive the service first. Even so, the company says the coverage applies to all new cars produced for the American market, making this a broad network upgrade rather than a limited trial.
That scope places the spotlight on BMW’s newer lineup, including the Neue Klasse models such as the iX3 and iX5. GSMArena notes that both models are strong candidates to use Verizon’s fast and reliable 5G connection.
Mini is mentioned, but the rollout details remain unclear
Mini also appears in the announcement, although the exact models that will use the service have not been clarified. Cooper Electric, Aceman, and Countryman are listed as 2023 and 2024 models, which suggests the KDDI and Verizon setup may be more relevant to newer vehicles.
The move shows how connectivity has become a core part of modern vehicle strategy, not just an added feature. For BMW, Verizon’s role gives its newest US-bound vehicles access to a more mature cellular network platform as software-defined features become more important.