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Viasat demos ‘direct-to-car’ from Satellite

Viasat Demos Direct-to-Car Satellite Connectivity: A New Era for On-the-Move Internet

Viasat has reached a milestone in satellite communications by successfully demonstrating direct-to-car (D2C) connectivity from space. The test showcased a moving vehicle receiving high-speed internet directly from a geostationary satellite—without relying on terrestrial infrastructure or cellular networks.

This breakthrough highlights a shift in mobile connectivity technology. By bypassing cell towers entirely, direct satellite-to-vehicle service opens the door to uninterrupted broadband access in remote regions, across highways, or during disaster recovery efforts. Viasat’s achievement signals a race toward seamless mobile internet that operates independently of terrestrial coverage gaps—reshaping the connected car landscape and influencing the broader trajectory of 5G and satellite integration.

What possibilities does this unlock for mobility, fleet management, and autonomous systems? The implications stretch far beyond passenger infotainment—this is infrastructure for the always-connected future.

Why Next-Level Connectivity Matters More Than Ever

In-Car Internet Isn’t a Luxury—It’s the New Standard

Consumers today expect vehicles to function as mobile command centers. Real-time navigation, video streaming, cloud-based entertainment, vehicle diagnostics, and voice assistants all require high-speed, uninterrupted internet. According to Statista, over 83 million connected cars were on the road globally by 2022, and that number is projected to reach over 350 million by 2030. This exponential growth is driving demand for more resilient and ubiquitous data access than cellular networks alone can provide.

Smart Mobility and the Rise of Connected Vehicles

Transportation platforms are evolving fast. From autonomous delivery robots to electric shared vehicles, connectivity underpins every feature of modern mobility infrastructure. The shift toward smart transportation is fueled by urbanization, fleet automation, and environmental mandates, all of which rely on continuous data exchange between vehicles, infrastructure, and cloud systems.

Without seamless connectivity, these functions degrade. Vehicles become isolated, turning cutting-edge tools into underperformers.

The Limitations of Traditional Cellular Networks

Cellular networks, while vastly improved with the rollout of 5G, still falter in key environments. Drivers often experience dead zones in rural, mountainous, and sparsely populated regions. Highways that pass through deserts or forests don’t always align with coverage maps. Even in populated areas, signal congestion or unpredictable handoffs between towers can disrupt service—an issue especially relevant for vehicles in motion.

In scenarios such as cross-country logistics, long-distance commutes, or borderless fleet operations, relying solely on terrestrial networks constrains performance. That’s where satellite integration changes the game. By untethering vehicle connectivity from tower-based infrastructure, data flow stays stable—regardless of the landscape.

Viasat’s Direct-to-Car Satellite Demo: Breaking New Ground

Real-Time Connectivity from Space to the Road

In a live demonstration that redefines what’s possible in automotive connectivity, Viasat showcased its ability to stream satellite internet data directly to a moving vehicle — without relying on terrestrial cellular towers or relay systems. The event featured a custom test vehicle equipped with a low-profile, electronically steered terminal that maintained a seamless connection with a Viasat satellite while navigating varied terrain and speeds.

Eliminating the Middleman: Direct Satellite-to-Car Link

Unlike hybrid approaches that route data through local cellular infrastructure, Viasat's system establishes a direct communication path between satellite and vehicle. The vehicle-mounted terminal connects straight to the satellite in orbit, bypassing ground-based networks entirely. This architecture reduces dependencies and increases nationwide and cross-border coverage — especially in areas with weak or no cellular signal.

Demonstrated Capabilities: Speed, Latency, and Mobility

During the demo, the connection achieved consistent high data rates, reaching up to 40 Mbps downlink with average throughput adapting to driving conditions and geographic position. Upload speeds peaked at 5 Mbps, providing enough bandwidth to support high-definition video conferencing, cloud-based infotainment, and OTA vehicle diagnostics in real time.

Latency averaged under 120 milliseconds — an impressive achievement for geostationary satellite connections — which facilitated real-time interaction without noticeable lag. Test scenarios included HD video streaming, live navigation updates, and cloud gaming while the car was in motion.

Vehicle speeds during the trial ranged from urban stop-and-go traffic to highway cruising at over 65 mph (105 km/h), without any interruption in service. Handoffs between satellite beams were handled dynamically, illustrating the system’s robust mobility management and its ability to maintain session continuity regardless of geographical changes.

For the first time, a car was no longer tethered to terrestrial networks for broadband data. The demo validated satellite’s readiness to drive the next evolution in connected mobility.

Key Technologies Driving Viasat’s Direct-to-Car Satellite Demo

Satellite Internet Technology

Viasat's demo relied on its proprietary high-throughput satellite (HTS) network, the same backbone that supports global in-flight connectivity and government communications. These satellites use Ka-band frequencies, enabling data capacities up to 1 Tbps per satellite—a significant leap beyond traditional geostationary capabilities. The ViaSat-3 constellation, central to this demo, delivers continental coverage with spot beams that dynamically allocate bandwidth based on need, optimizing throughput and minimizing latency.

Each satellite uses a flexible, software-defined payload design. This allows capacity to be shifted in real time across regions, which proves essential for moving platforms like vehicles. Coupled with advanced ground segment infrastructure, the system minimizes data bottlenecks and delivers a satellite link that performs comparably to terrestrial broadband.

Vehicle-Optimized Antennas and Modems

Traditional satellite terminals aren't built for integration into cars. Viasat tackled this by developing compact, low-profile antennas—smaller than a standard car sunroof—that maintain reliable connections even while moving. These electronically steered antennas (ESAs) eliminate mechanical movement entirely and track the satellite using phased-array technology.

Inside the vehicle, next-generation modems manage the signal processing. These chips balance the need for high throughput (up to 100 Mbps in the demo) with energy efficiency and automotive-grade reliability. Built-in software stacks support multiple protocols simultaneously, making real-time transitions between applications seamless.

Direct-to-Car Connectivity

By establishing a direct satellite link to the vehicle, Viasat bypasses terrestrial bottlenecks. Unlike older systems that rely on cellular backhaul or intermittently placed roadside units, this architecture delivers persistent coverage—even in rural or undeveloped areas.

This opens the door for high-resolution, cloud-based navigation services with lane-level accuracy, and uninterrupted infotainment streaming without reliance on cellular towers. OEMs can also run continuous diagnostics through real-time telematics, ensuring predictive maintenance and firmware updates over the air.

Satellite-to-Vehicle Communication

Unlike satellite-to-ground communication focused on fixed terminals, satellite-to-vehicle requires mobility-centric engineering. At highway speeds, signal acquisition and tracking become non-trivial. Viasat resolved this with onboard equipment that integrates GPS synchronization, automatic beam switching, and doppler compensation—all onboard, all real-time.

The onboard terminal functions as both a receiver and a smart router. It reconfigures routing based on bandwidth demands, adjusts signal filters based on environmental noise, and interfaces directly with the car's digital architecture through standard automotive APIs.

Have you ever imagined a car as a node in a high-speed satellite network? With this demo, that vision shifts from theoretical to operational—and the implications for connected mobility ripple across the industry.

5G and Satellite Integration: Bridging Two Worlds

Complementary Strengths: How Viasat Fits Into the 5G Landscape

Viasat’s direct-to-car satellite connectivity doesn’t compete with 5G—it extends it. While 5G delivers exceptional speed and ultra-low latency in urban corridors, its range is inherently limited by cell tower density. Viasat fills those coverage gaps with geostationary satellite capabilities, offering continuous service even in sparsely populated or geographically challenging areas. This synergy enables a persistent data pipeline whether a vehicle moves through the heart of Manhattan or the Mojave Desert.

By integrating satellite links directly into vehicles, Viasat ensures data continuity that mobile networks alone can’t maintain. The result: connected mobility uninterrupted by cell dead zones, congested towers, or rural voids. Telecommunications standards like 3GPP Release 17 now support non-terrestrial networks (NTNs), paving the way for this convergence. Viasat’s field demo shows precisely how automotive OEMs can leverage both terrestrial and satellite backbones in one unified architecture.

Hybrid Connectivity = Seamless Mobility

Urban and rural networks now operate as complementary layers. In metropolitan settings, 5G handles most bandwidth-intensive tasks—real-time navigation, cloud gaming, multiuser streaming. As vehicles move across state lines, into rural highways, or over mountain passes, Viasat provides the persistent fallback needed to maintain service continuity and protect sensitive data sessions from lapses.

This hybrid overlay not only ensures coverage parity but also enables proactive service architectures. Vehicles can switch intelligently between 5G and satellite based on signal strength, data needs, or priority queues such as safety-critical alerts.

V2X Applications at the Intersection of 5G and Satellite

Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) ecosystems demand unbroken connectivity. Autonomous driving platforms, C-V2X safety messages, and cooperative adaptive cruise control depend on synchronized data exchanges. Under a hybrid model, satellite isn’t a fallback—it’s a parallel channel that strengthens reliability.

Ask yourself this: what happens when a semi-autonomous vehicle crosses a border into an infrastructure-scarce region? Hybrid infrastructure answers that question with assured performance across the connectivity divide.

Cross-Industry Disruption: Viasat’s Satellite Demo Unleashes New Possibilities

Automotive Sector

Vehicle manufacturers are now in a stronger position to elevate in-car experiences. Direct satellite-to-car connectivity allows infotainment systems to receive high-bandwidth content without cellular dead zones interrupting the stream. Drivers and passengers can access live video, interactive navigation, and cloud-based apps with minimal latency, even outside typical coverage areas.

This leap also sharpens vehicle safety. Over-the-air software updates reach every location, which improves system reliability. Real-time diagnostic data sent via satellite enhances predictive maintenance, and continuous cloud-based driver-assist updates become possible—no matter the terrain.

Industrial Machinery and Transportation

Construction equipment operating deep in remote job sites. Agricultural machinery moving across rural fields. Mining trucks hours from the nearest town. All share a common challenge: unreliable connectivity. Viasat’s direct-to-vehicle demo addresses this directly.

The result is greater efficiency, better compliance with safety standards, and smarter maintenance cycles.

Businesses and Mobile Workforces

Enterprises relying on mobile teams in oil fields, disaster zones, or infrastructure projects often experience gaps in operational efficiency due to limited connectivity. Satellite-enabled vehicles change this dynamic.

Mobile workspaces no longer require improvisation. With Viasat’s demo proving direct-to-car viability, businesses gain the infrastructure backbone to support high-functioning operations—even on the move.

Driving Connectivity Worldwide: Viasat’s Strategy for Global Expansion

Collaborating Across Continents to Extend Coverage

Viasat doesn’t operate in isolation. To scale its direct-to-car satellite connectivity beyond local boundaries, the company forges strategic partnerships with regional telecom providers. One notable example: the collaboration with Globe in the Philippines. This joint effort leverages Globe’s terrestrial network and customer reach alongside Viasat’s satellite infrastructure, accelerating the deployment of robust, satellite-powered vehicle connectivity in Southeast Asia.

Beyond the Philippines, Viasat's strategy includes forming cooperative agreements in Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, and parts of East Asia. These regions benefit from targeted expansions that prioritize remote locations where fiber or 5G rollout remains limited or economically unfeasible.

Emerging Markets: Skipping the Cable, Going Straight to Space

Emerging economies stand to gain disproportionately. Traditional infrastructure—cables, towers, ground stations—requires time, heavy investment, and permits. Satellite systems override those constraints. By deploying satellites with direct-to-car capabilities, Viasat enables regions to bypass legacy stages of connectivity deployment entirely.

Charting a Global Vehicle Connectivity Roadmap

Viasat’s vision for a globally connected vehicle ecosystem relies on three structural components: multi-orbit satellite constellations, interoperability with local infrastructure, and regulatory frameworks that support seamless spectrum access across national boundaries.

With the acquisition of Inmarsat, Viasat now operates one of the world’s largest unified satellite fleets—spanning GEO, MEO, and LEO orbits. This architecture allows overlapping coverage zones and minimizes service blackouts. Future launch schedules for High Throughput Satellites (HTS) will especially increase bandwidth availability over dense population corridors in Asia and Africa.

At the government level, Viasat engages with spectrum regulators and transport ministries to secure frequency allocation, landing rights, and automotive certifications. These efforts lay the groundwork for deploying commercially viable direct-to-car service in over 60 countries by 2026.

What shape will global vehicle connectivity take in a few years? With these building blocks in motion, every road—no matter how remote—becomes part of the connected grid.

The Connected Vehicle Ecosystem: What’s Evolving?

Vehicle connectivity is no longer confined to navigation systems and Bluetooth calls. As satellite networks like Viasat’s enter the mix, the definition of a "connected vehicle" is undergoing a rapid transformation.

In-Car Wi-Fi and Smart Entertainment Take Center Stage

High-speed, reliable in-car Wi-Fi has shifted from luxury to standard expectation, especially in premium vehicles. OEMs are embedding infotainment platforms that stream 4K content, support real-time multiplayer gaming, and offer seamless videoconferencing. According to S&P Global Mobility, over 76% of new vehicles sold in the U.S. in 2023 came with built-in connectivity features, and this trend shows no sign of slowing.

Cars as Core Nodes in an Expanding IoT Network

The modern car communicates not just with its driver but with cities, infrastructure, and other vehicles. With V2V (vehicle-to-vehicle) and V2X (vehicle-to-everything) protocols gaining traction, the car transforms into an IoT hub. In this setup, every vehicle becomes a mobile data point: collecting, processing, and transmitting real-time analytics.

By 2030, McKinsey projects that connected cars will generate up to 10 exabytes of data per month globally. This shift allows for:

Cloud Integration, OTA Updates, and Personalized User Profiles

With direct-to-car satellite connectivity, the dependence on ground-based infrastructure drops, creating new flexibility in how vehicles access and push data to the cloud. Over-the-air (OTA) updates now happen faster and in more geographies. Tesla set early benchmarks here, but other OEMs—like Ford and BMW—have caught up, delivering firmware and feature updates without a dealership visit.

Personalization has moved to the forefront. As cloud-based user profiles become portable, drivers can switch vehicles while retaining custom settings—from seat position and climate preferences to entertainment libraries. Satellite support ensures these configurations sync instantly, even in low-connectivity zones.

Which features would you consider essential in a truly connected car? The ecosystem isn’t just evolving—it’s redefining how drivers interact with their vehicles and the world around them.

Looking Ahead: What Viasat’s Innovation Means for the Future

Viasat's demonstration of direct-to-car satellite connectivity doesn't just represent a technical achievement—it signals a fundamental realignment in how vehicles will connect, navigate, and operate across terrestrial and remote landscapes alike. By removing the dependence on terrestrial infrastructure, the company has opened new pathways for vehicle connectivity that extend far beyond mainstream road networks.

Fleets That Never Disconnect

Fleet operators managing logistics across rural or cross-border travel corridors face a common pain point: signal blackout zones. Viasat's satellite direct-to-car capability eliminates that vulnerability. Constant connectivity from orbit ensures uninterrupted telematics data, real-time route adjustments, and direct communication with fleet management systems at all times. Hybrid long-haul solutions that traditionally relied on a mix of terrestrial 4G/5G and satellite failover will now benefit from seamless service continuity—no handoffs, no packet losses.

Expect sectors like freight, transit, and emergency response to shift toward satellite-first configurations, particularly in areas where infrastructure development lags demand. For companies with assets spread over thousands of miles—railroad firms, utility fleets, national delivery networks—this evolution produces measurable operational gains.

Edge Computing Meets Autonomous Mobility

Autonomous vehicles will require multi-layered, low-latency communication channels to coordinate with external systems, especially when Level 4 or 5 autonomy becomes more common on roads without robust mobile networks. Direct satellite links can function as both a data channel and a control-plane fallback in case cellular fails.

Beyond mere telemetry, satellite connectivity supports decentralized data processing models. When combined with vehicle-based edge computing, it allows AI-driven analytics to function even during infrastructure outages. As sensor data grows heavier and real-time decision-making becomes non-negotiable, redundant uplinks via satellite provide an extra layer of assurance.

Smart Cities, Smarter Satellites

With smart city frameworks leaning heavily on vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) protocols, satellite networks will no longer reside only in the background. They’ll be active participants—supplementing data flows when terrestrial congestion occurs, supporting communications in high-rise urban canyons, or maintaining situational awareness during public safety events.

Redefining the Satellite Operator

Historically, satellite operators have existed as service enablers—providers of bandwidth or relay capabilities. That role is accelerating. With solutions like Viasat's direct-to-car demonstration, the satellite operator becomes part of the transportation value chain—an embedded actor whose function influences routing algorithms, safety redundancies, environmental sensing, and sensoroffloading architectures.

This expanded role implies tighter integration with automakers, sensor manufacturers, smart city administrations, and AI developers. As the digital chassis becomes the new standard, satellite providers will not just lease airspace—they will lease influence over everything that moves beneath it.

From the Sky to the Streets: Redefining Vehicle Connectivity

Viasat’s direct-to-car satellite demo doesn’t just mark progress—it defines a new phase in mobility infrastructure. By linking satellites directly to moving vehicles without relying on ground-based cellular towers, the company eliminated traditional bottlenecks in data delivery. This single advancement compresses years of incremental innovation into one demonstrable leap.

For decades, cars have depended on patchy terrestrial networks for navigation, infotainment, diagnostics, and emergency services. Now, wide-area, low-latency satellite connectivity brings persistent signal strength to any vehicle, in any region—urban or remote, domestic or international. From video streaming on the interstate to real-time vehicle diagnostics in desert highways, the implications are immediate and wide-ranging.

When satellites communicate directly with vehicles, network borders become irrelevant. A car driving from Munich to Marrakesh can maintain the same high-speed data pipeline, uninterrupted. This harmonized data layer not only improves user experience but also rewrites the backend logic for connected vehicle platforms, logistics optimization, over-the-air updates, and autonomous driving calibration.

Want to see how fast this industry is shifting? Explore the deeper implications of satellite and 5G convergence. Look at the hardware integrations, spectrum allocation moves, and collaborative ventures redefining edge connectivity in vehicles. This is no longer a future concept—it’s an operational reality unfolding on highways and city streets today.