BMW has ushered in the next generation of mobile internet for car users. Owners with a BMW Car Hotspot require a LTE-capable SIM card which is simply slotted in the hotspot in the usual way. The adapter plugs into the on-board router which gets power from the standard cigarette lighter. BMW was one of the first carmakers to offer in-car internet access back in 2001.

Passengers can enjoy high-speed net access using up to eight devices. The hotspot comes with a built-in battery pack and an antenna, allowing the unit to operate for up to 60 minutes independently of the vehicle.

Copyright Deutsche Presse-Agentur, 2012