More than 470 million connected cars are currently estimated to be on the roads globally, each capable of streaming up to 25 GB of data every hour. And this is just the beginning, because demand is climbing fast.
With 1 in 4 drivers already paying for connected vehicle services, and 47% of owners in premium segments saying they’d pay after purchase to unlock extra connected car features, digital‑first mobility solutions are now an expectation.
On top of this, 2025 also marks a turning point. 5G roll‑outs, the UNECE R155 and R156 regulations, and over-the-air (OTA) first revenue models – from navigation system subscriptions to advanced driver‑assistance systems (ADAS) – are now a key focus, changing the automotive industry as we know it.
To outpace consumer demand and regulatory standards, you need four distinct capabilities:
- Global vehicle connectivity
- A production‑ready OTA foundation
- Real‑time data monetisation and
- Embedded compliance.
Together, these transform single‑vehicle applications into enterprise‑scale services, letting you move from reactive support to proactive maintenance, from static infotainment to living connected car applications, and from fragmented datasets to unified insights that elevate customer experience and lifetime value.
Let’s explore how each capability can help you lead in this next era of the automotive industry:
1. Achieving global vehicle connectivity
Roaming alone can’t guarantee quality or compliance. Local network agreements still dictate whether an emergency vehicle call connects in seconds or stalls in a dead zone. For intelligent vehicles that stream real‑time traffic information, in-car entertainment and OTA updates, even short‑lived drop‑outs can translate into frustrated drivers and costly support calls.
That’s why being able to switch from one mobile network operator (MNO) to another is becoming the default approach for connected car systems. Today, automakers can switch carriers or update network profiles remotely using an embedded SIM (eSIM) in the telematics control unit (TCU) of the car. This means no workshop visits, no hardware change. And, with SGP.32, the latest version of the eSIM, this is now even easier. The result: reliable, stable vehicle connectivity, predictable data costs and peace of mind when vehicles cross borders.
And you can achieve this flexibility everywhere in the world with Cubic3 Cloud. Our smart, secure and truly global platform gives your vehicles access to more than 550 partner networks in over 200 countries and territories, providing you with the best coverage and the most economical tariff. Whether you deploy electric vehicles across Europe, autonomous vehicles in North America or construction fleets in the Middle East, we manage all compliance on a country-by-country basis. It means your vehicles are connected seamlessly – no complicated network negotiations or regulatory navigation – resulting in a positive customer experience.
2. Mastering OTA updates and content
Today’s cars are software not hardware led. When you’re shipping gigabyte‑scale firmware, rich navigation content or ADAS upgrades, success comes down to efficiency and control. DriverConnect3 gives you both. Through one interface, you can manage and enable in‑car services worldwide. From navigation systems to premium connected car features, you can sidestep the complexity of multiple mobile network operators and keep the entire user journey in your hands.
With built-in activation, DriverConnect3 uses embedded telematics to slot into your existing consumer workflows, allowing customers to enrol in under a minute on your vehicle app. No multi‑account headaches, no dealer passwords, just smooth access that lifts adoption and revenue. Global service management means you schedule updates, data plans and third‑party apps – streaming, gaming, navigation or business tools – region by region without ever leaving the dashboard.
Real‑time diagnostics, flexible data bundles and instant service notifications put you firmly in charge of costs and quality. Whether you’re pushing a stability patch to a single‑vehicle application during remote operation tests or rolling out a country‑wide infotainment refresh, it ensures real‑time updates land the first time. All while continuously rotating certificates to satisfy regulatory standards. You get a full audit trail that links code origin, distribution path and installation result – exactly what regulators and insurers now expect.
Combined, these practices lower airtime fees, protect battery health and let you refresh fleets at the pace of consumer software, keeping every driver’s experience fresh, without calling vehicles back to the workshop.
3. Turning raw vehicle data into value
Connected car technology thrives on constant vehicle communication and up-to-date road infrastructure.
Every minute, connected vehicles generate data on speed, component wear, battery state, cabin usage and more. Yet less than 20% of OEMs use that information to drive new revenue. Closing this gap requires reliable access to vehicle data and low‑latency delivery, alongside tools that can translate this raw data into valuable, actionable insights. So when, for example, a navigation system flags congestion, the vehicle proposes an alternative route way, complete topped with an EV‑friendly charger on the way. Accumulated, all these details improve customer experience and enable carmakers to create new revenue streams.
That’s exactly what Explore3 delivers. Our dashboards blend network performance, vehicle behaviour and driver engagement to uncover hidden costs, spotlight underused connected vehicle services and diagnose coverage blackspots in real time. This enables you to simplify complex billing processes, allocate data by device, service or region and, by flagging excessive usage or update failures, boost OTA efficiency and safeguard the user experience.
With our customised reporting, service classification and invoicing by service, we turn vehicle information into business intelligence you can bank on – all without locking you into proprietary silos.
Real‑time monitoring ensures every vehicle remains connected, while persona‑based insights let you tailor features for specific segments – from urban electric vehicle owners to rural diesel drivers – and maximise adoption. As a result, your intelligent vehicles learn, improve and identify new opportunities for monetisation with every kilometre.
4. Baking in compliance
Connectivity without compliance is a liability. From July 2024, UNECE R155 requires automakers to have a cybersecurity management system in place, while UNECE R156 enforces secure software update operations. These, combined with the tightening of next‑gen eCall protocols across the EU, mean OEMs will need to continually audit their procedures to keep pace with regulatory standards.
Our platform simplifies every aspect of connectivity management, including managing all local regulations so your vehicles are fully compliant from the moment they arrive in a country. In addition, real-time monitoring means system vulnerabilities are detected quickly while OTA updates are deployed efficiently to address them. This way, you stay ahead of threats and your vehicle remains secure document mitigation in real time.
Cubic3 Cloud’s built-in security means you have peace of mind that your vehicles are protected, while our handling of all compliance, gives you a competitive edge – accelerating your software‑defined vehicle roll‑outs and letting you focus on delivering standout driver experiences.
Conclusion
Global ambition demands global infrastructure.
With unrivalled reach across 550+ mobile networks in 200+ countries and territories, and with more than 23 million vehicles already connected, we extend your operational footprint while removing all complexity for you. Our platform unlocks data‑rich driving experiences – from real‑time traffic information and predictive maintenance to subscription‑based infotainment – without compromising security or inflating cost.
Because we manage all your compliance, you can launch confidently knowing that tomorrow’s mandates are already met. And with fast, reliable access to key vehicle information, you can boost your lifetime value and cement customer loyalty.
Together, we help you turn your connected cars into a scalable revenue engine that spans brands, segments and regions. Whether you’re electrifying your line‑up, refining autonomous vehicles or rolling out new mobility solutions, our expertise ensures you deliver software‑defined vehicles that delight drivers and regulators alike.
Connect with us now and speak to our connectivity specialists about bringing these four capabilities to your next model.
