AT&T stated that whereas many in-vehicle providers can perform over 4G, superior use circumstances more and more profit from 5G efficiency
In sum – what to know:
5G as a automobile platform – AT&T is positioning 5G as the muse for software-defined automobiles, enabling sooner OTA updates and extra superior in-car providers.
Protection past mobile – To assist dependable automobile connectivity, AT&T is combining terrestrial 4G/5G networks with satellite tv for pc partnerships to handle protection gaps.
Throughout CES earlier this month, AT&T introduced that Mitsubishi Motors North America (MMNA) is embedding the telco’s 5G connectivity into the 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander SUV, marking the subsequent step within the automaker’s connected-vehicle technique.
An AT&T spokesperson advised RCR Wi-fi Information that the Mitsubishi Outlander will assist 5G standalone (SA), non-standalone (NSA), and LTE applied sciences, dynamically selecting the right accessible connection based mostly on community situations. In keeping with the telco, this multi-mode strategy is designed to ship a constantly high-quality related expertise as 5G protection continues to increase.
“It allows sooner and extra dependable OTAs for safety and new function enhancements, and a sooner and extra dependable connection for streaming audio and infotainment purposes,” the spokesperson stated.
AT&T emphasised that whereas many in-vehicle providers can perform over 4G, superior use circumstances more and more profit from 5G efficiency. “Many superior in-vehicle experiences — like real-time navigation, high-definition streaming, and over-the-air updates — work greatest with 5G. Many options can function on AT&T’s 4G community, however as 5G expands and allows extra use circumstances, these options will grow to be much more sturdy,” the spokesperson stated.
On the subject of automobile connectivity, protection continuity is essential. The telco acknowledged that gaps nonetheless exist in sure components of the U.S., significantly in distant areas and nationwide parks, and stated it’s pursuing a hybrid terrestrial-satellite technique to handle these limitations.
“Whereas AT&T maintains an especially sturdy protection space with its mixed 4G and 5G networks within the U.S., some areas nonetheless lack protection, reminiscent of distant areas and nationwide parks. AT&T has a strategic relationship with AST SpaceMobile, which goals to supply mobile connectivity by way of satellite tv for pc,” the spokesperson stated. “AT&T intends to leverage this partnership to increase protection throughout the continental United States and scale back these protection gaps the place constructing cell websites might not be commercially or legally possible.”
Past protection growth, the telco framed the Mitsubishi partnership as a part of a broader effort to place 5G as a foundational platform for software-defined automobiles.
“AT&T has a number of enterprise fashions in the way it monetizes connectivity, however the partnership is admittedly about how AT&T 5G can future-proof automobiles with quick and dependable OTA updates whereas additionally enabling a extra pleasurable infotainment expertise for drivers and passengers. 5G allows many software-defined automobile use circumstances reminiscent of related autonomous driving and mission-critical knowledge visitors prioritization,” the spokesperson added.
As Mitsubishi’s flagship SUV, the Outlander will use AT&T 5G connectivity to assist sooner knowledge speeds, enhanced leisure choices, and improved efficiency, serving to drivers and passengers keep related on the highway. Over-the-air updates will enable Mitsubishi Motors to remotely ship software program upgrades and safety patches to pick automobile methods, conserving automobiles present with the most recent options whereas decreasing downtime.
Mitsubishi additionally sees embedded connectivity as a pathway to higher operational effectivity and deeper buyer engagement. With decrease latency, greater capability, and elevated bandwidth, 5G networks assist a extra responsive, data-driven driving expertise.
As of Q3 2025, AT&T reported protecting extra roads than some other U.S. service, with greater than 23,000 further highway miles than its closest competitor and over 66,000 greater than its second-closest competitor.
