Viasat and BMW Group Demo First Satellite-Integrated Car Voice Calls
Event summary
- Viasat demonstrated satellite-enabled voice calls integrated into a BMW iX3's infotainment system during the 5G Automotive Association Meeting Week in Munich on July 16, 2026.
- The technology uses NB-IoT protocol over Viasat’s L-band satellite network, leveraging Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Auto 5G Modem-RF Gen 2 and Fraunhofer IIS NESC AI voice codec.
- This marks the first time such capability has been fully integrated into a vehicle’s platform, enabling connectivity in remote areas beyond terrestrial networks.
The big picture
This demonstration highlights the growing trend of integrating non-terrestrial networks (NTN) into connected vehicles, addressing connectivity gaps in remote areas. The collaboration between Viasat and BMW Group underscores the automotive industry’s push toward resilient communication solutions for safety and emergency services. Future developments may expand beyond voice to include video streaming and seamless roaming between terrestrial and satellite networks.
What we're watching
- Technology Scalability
- Whether Viasat can transition from demonstration to commercial deployment of satellite-enabled automotive connectivity.
- Industry Adoption
- The pace at which other automakers adopt similar satellite-integrated communication solutions.
- Regulatory Dynamics
- How global 3GPP standards evolve to support future 5G-NR satellite services for automotive applications.
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