5G Race Pits Ford, BMW Against GM, Toyota

But Ford Motor Co. F 1.43%, BMW AG BMW -0.65% and other auto makers are pressing the Trump administration to allow them to leapfrog that system by fast-tracking fifth-generation cellular broadband in automobiles. Known as 5G, it transmits data at up to 10 times the speed of current broadband and improves reliability by potentially shrinking a self-driving car's ability to stop to one inch, from one yard with today's network. The showdown between the Wi-Fi-based and cellular-based standards for connected cars echoes winner-take-all format wars in other industries, and is a sign of how software is emerging as a new battleground for auto makers. The stakes are high as U.S. motor-vehicle deaths have risen in recent years. Car makers say vehicle-to-vehicle communication will ease congestion and improve safety.