We’ve come a long way since the first Model T’s rolled off Ford’s pioneering production lines well over 100 years ago, with today’s Tesla electric cars an incredible step forward into tomorrow’s futures today.

Now comes the Tesla S, billed as a ‘zero emissions and zero compromises car so advanced it sets a new standard for premium performance.’

Such a smart and advanced car needs a stellar mobile network to connect to, with the two big companies entering into an agreement today for Tesla to connect to Telstra’s machine-to-machine (M2M) connectivity in Australia.



Telstra says it is providing ‘mobile connectivity to power multiple start-of-the art features in the Model S including the infotainment and remote diagnostics systems.’

Telstra Mobile’s Executive Director, John Chambers noted that ‘Australia was poised to enter an era where cars, like smartphones, connect to the mobile network improving road safety, reducing the cost of maintenance and expanding in-car entertainment and information options.’

Chambers echoed that: “Increasingly technology is becoming top of mind for Australians choosing new cars and by 2025 we expect 90 per cent of new vehicles sold in Australia will come ready to connect to a mobile network.

“We’re really pleased to be working with Tesla to showcase what the future holds for Australian motorists by providing connectivity for the Model S in Australia.

“Our network will enable Tesla Model S owners to access live information via the Model S’s giant 17-inch touch screen that controls everything from the suspension, to the climate control through to the sun roof. Drivers and passengers will be able to use the Telstra network to stream music, pull up high-detail maps and navigation, and access near real-time traffic updates.”

He also noted that ‘the Telstra Mobile Network would also make it possible for Model S owners to use a special app to remotely control features in their vehicle’ and stated that: “Using the Tesla app, owners can check the progress of their vehicle’s charge, turn on air-conditioning remotely before hitting the road and even unlock doors without using a key.”

But that’s not all - as always, there’s more, and we’re not talking steak knives. Besides the expected provision of drivers with ‘near real-time information about their vehicle’ Telstra says it is ‘also connecting the remote engine diagnostics system that can relay information about the car's performance to Tesla service staff’.

This way, ‘if an owner feels something has gone wrong with their car, remote diagnosis helps enable Tesla to determine the issue and a solution without direct access to the car.’

Here's Telstra's video on the new Tesla announcement:

Telstra bills itself as ‘the natural partner for automotive companies looking to bring connected car technology to Australians’, boasting that its network is Australia’s largest, covering ‘more than 2.3 million square kilometres including 8,300 km of Australian highways not covered by any other mobile network’.

Telstra was also ‘recently named 2014 Asia-Pacific M2M service provider of the year by Frost & Sullivan.’

So, if you go Tesla, you’ll also be going Telstra, with the two companies makin’ it easy for you to drive... connectedly!