SPEAKER INTERVIEW
Johannes Springer – Lead 5G Automotive, Deutsche Telekom
Please could you tell us more about your role as Lead 5G Automotive at Deutsche Telekom?
Every new produced car is equipped with cellular connectivity. Moreover, most car drivers are using devices smart devices for navigation, information, and other types of services relevant for their journey. How to design 4G and 5G networks, what kind of network services should be offered to meet the requirements of automotive customers, that’s my responsibility.
How would you describe the role of space applications in the current automotive industry?
Space based applications are widely used in automotive. Positioning, Navigation and Timing are prominent examples, but also Radio broadcast in some regions.
From a connectivity perspective, an increasing number of connected car services becomes mission critical. Emergency calls, breakdown calls, remote control of vehicle functions, transmission and reception of safety related traffic information, are only some examples. All these services need connectivity. Or in other words: If the vehicle is not connected, the service is not available. Space based connectivity offers the chance to reduce the connectivity gaps terrestrial networks still have.
Where do you see the biggest opportunities for space applications in automotive in the next five to ten years?
The next step of integrating space technologies in automotive will be satellite connectivity as a complement for terrestrial connectivity in case the terrestrial network is not available. The start will be narrowband data rate services incl. voice for mission critical services.
What do you consider the most promising technology for the space and automotive industry in the years to come?
Satellite communication need to come based on connectivity standards already widely used in the automotive industry, which is 4G and 5G based on 3GPP standards. Satellite Direct to Device will leverage components such as modems, antennas, but also contract relations for connectivity to facilitate the integration of satellite communications into terrestrial connectivity as less complex as possible.
If you could travel anywhere into space, without the restrictions of time and resources, where would you go, how will you travel there, and why?
Nothing else than the moon. Always, I would like to keep the perspective on our fragile earth. There are so many things to do to sustain our planet for the future of our children.