EU nations vote against a Wi-Fi-based car standard

European Union nations on Thursday voted against the EU executive’s proposal for a Wi-Fi-based car standard in a blow to its backer Volkswagen, an EU official said.

Twenty one countries – including Germany, France and Italy which have powerful auto industries – voted against the proposal at a meeting of EU representatives in Brussels of the bloc’s 28 member states, the official said.

EU lawmakers in April endorsed the Wi-Fi plan over 5G technology promoted by BMW and Qualcomm.

The executive European Commision wants to set benchmarks for internet connected cars, a market that could generate billions of euros in revenues for carmakers, telecoms operators and equipment makers, according to analysts.