Viasat demonstrates satellite voice in BMW vehicle

Viasat has demonstrated a satellite-enabled voice call integrated into a BMW Group vehicle platform. The test, involving a BMW iX3, marks what it described as the first such demonstration on a production vehicle architecture.

The demonstration took place in Munich as part of a research collaboration between BMW Group, Cubic3 and Fraunhofer IIS. The call was managed through the vehicle's infotainment system rather than a separate device.

The work centres on Non-Terrestrial Network technology, designed to extend mobile communications beyond the reach of conventional terrestrial coverage. In the automotive sector, that could allow drivers and passengers to place calls or send messages in remote areas where standard cellular networks are weak or unavailable.

According to Viasat, the demonstration used the NB-IoT communications protocol over its L-band satellite network. It also incorporated Qualcomm Technologies' Snapdragon Auto 5G Modem-RF Gen 2 solution and the Fraunhofer IIS NESC AI voice codec.

Integration with BMW Group's in-vehicle system is notable because it brings satellite communications closer to the way drivers already use connected services inside cars. Instead of relying on aftermarket satellite phones or external terminals, the test built the function into the car's existing interface.

Industry push

Automotive and telecoms groups have been exploring satellite links as carmakers add more connected features and as regulators and consumers place greater emphasis on safety and resilience. A vehicle that can maintain basic communications outside mobile coverage could support emergency calls, roadside assistance, fleet operations and software updates in sparsely connected regions.

Viasat, BMW Group, Cubic3 and Fraunhofer IIS are members of the 5G Automotive Association, an industry body focused on connectivity standards and mobility applications. Their involvement reflects a broader sector effort to bring satellite services into mainstream vehicle communications using standardised technologies.

That focus on standards is significant because the system shown in Munich used NB-IoT, a lower data-rate protocol supported by global 3GPP specifications. Using established standards could make it easier to integrate satellite functions with existing telecoms and automotive systems.

Current automotive satellite applications remain relatively limited compared with terrestrial mobile services. They are largely aimed at low-bandwidth uses such as emergency messaging, vehicle telemetry and limited voice communication. More data-intensive services would depend on further development of satellite support in newer mobile standards.

Safety focus

Viasat framed the demonstration around resilience and coverage rather than consumer entertainment. It said extending voice and messaging beyond cellular range could help automakers support emergency assistance and other safety-related functions regardless of a vehicle's location.

"This demonstration reflects broader industry excitement to ensure consistent, resilient satellite capabilities for next-generation vehicles," said Sandeep Moorthy, Senior Vice President, Advanced Non-Terrestrial Solutions at Viasat.

"By bringing standards-based NTN to vehicles, we can integrate satellite voice and messaging and ultimately enable a future where drivers can remain connected - wherever the journey takes them," Moorthy said.

The announcement also builds on earlier work involving Cubic3's eSIM technology, which has been used to support software-defined vehicle connectivity. Bringing cellular and satellite links together through a single vehicle platform is becoming a more prominent goal for suppliers as carmakers seek continuous coverage across markets and terrains.

For BMW Group, the exercise points to how embedded communications systems may evolve as expectations for connected cars widen. Carmakers have steadily added navigation, remote diagnostics, software updates and emergency features over mobile networks, but these services still depend heavily on terrestrial coverage.

Satellite integration could help fill those gaps, although the technology demonstrated here is not yet commercially available. That means the test is more an indicator of technical direction than an immediate product launch.

Viasat said future releases of mobile standards are expected to pave the way for 5G New Radio satellite services, which could eventually support functions such as video and seamless roaming between terrestrial and satellite networks.