As vehicles increasingly become digital platforms, always on connectivity is crucial to this evolution. This week at AutoTech Detroit 2025, it was a key point of discussion.On the panel ‘The Power of Ubiquitous Connectivity’ leaders from Cubic3, Viasat, Stellantis and Volkswagen Group of America explored the fundamental question: how can automakers ensure vehicles remain reliably connected, no matter where they are in the world and how can ubiquitous connectivity be achieved?
Reaching the connected car tipping point
By 2034, the number of connected vehicles on the road is projected to reach 1.4 billion. With this scale of growth, coverage gaps will become an even more important issue
Currently, despite major investments in 4G and 5G, many parts of the world still can’t be reached by cellular. While cities and urban areas are very well served, rural roads, mountainous terrain, tunnels and border zones can all experience issues and disrupt critical in-vehicle services.
This is where satellite-based non-terrestrial networks (NTN) can close the gap, helping ensure essential functions like over-the-air (OTA) updates, emergency alerts and V2X communications stay online.
Integrating terrestrial and non-terrestrial network seamlessly for long-term scale
At the AutoTech Detroit panel, speakers highlighted how seamless integration between terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks is key to delivering truly ubiquitous coverage.
Brian McNamara of Cubic3 emphasised that this level of connectivity is essential for automakers that want to support real-time services reliably, even in low-coverage areas while representatives from Stellantis and Volkswagen described an evolving rollout strategy, where satellite and cellular are combined to provide a layered, reliable experience.
Kevin Cohen of satellite provider Viasat also explained how 3GPP Release 17 enables direct-to-device satellite through standard chipsets, eliminating the need for dedicated antennas or bulky hardware. Looking ahead, these newer chipsets will support 5G NR-based broadband, which could help reduce both hardware and airtime costs.
Ubiquitous connectivity and the impact of satellite technology
In our new report ‘Ubiquitous Connectivity: For a Smarter Automotive Future’ we outline the many benefits that ubiquitous connectivity can deliver for automakers and their customers alike.
Integrating NTN opens the door to use cases that were previously difficult to scale, such as:
- Emergency services: Vehicles can send alerts and location data, even in cellular dead zones.
- Over-the-air updates: Firmware and map updates can be delivered consistently and globally.
- V2X communication: Connectivity can extend beyond cities, improving awareness on rural or remote roads.
- Real-time alerts: Drivers receive weather warnings and hazard notifications, no matter the location.
At AutoTech Detroit speakers highlighted how standardisation will be crucial for this widespread adoption. By aligning around global standards like 3GPP, the industry can lower hardware costs, improve compatibility and simplify integration.
What this means for automakers
As vehicles become more and more software-led, their digital reliability is as important as their mechanical. Ubiquitous connectivity is fundamental to this future.
At Cubic3 we are helping automakers make this a reality. Our strategic partnership with Softbank Corp., together with our collaboration with leading satellite providers Intelsat, Skylo and Viasat, is focused on advancing the seamless integration of NTN and TN to create a ‘Ubiquitous Network’ for SDVs and other high-value mobile assets.
Harnessing our cloud-based platform, this partnership will ensure OEMs have a seamless, centralised approach to connectivity management – no matter the network, no matter the location.
Learn more about how ubiquitous connectivity is powering the future of automotive.
