AT&T stated that whereas many in-vehicle companies 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 inspiration for software-defined autos, enabling sooner OTA updates and extra superior in-car companies.
Protection past mobile – To help dependable automobile connectivity, AT&T is combining terrestrial 4G/5G networks with satellite tv for pc partnerships to deal with 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 following step within the automaker’s connected-vehicle technique.
An AT&T spokesperson advised RCR Wi-fi Information that the Mitsubishi Outlander will help 5G standalone (SA), non-standalone (NSA), and LTE applied sciences, dynamically selecting the right out there connection based mostly on community circumstances. In accordance with the telco, this multi-mode strategy is designed to ship a constantly high-quality related expertise as 5G protection continues to broaden.
“It allows sooner and extra dependable OTAs for safety and new characteristic enhancements, and a sooner and extra dependable connection for streaming audio and infotainment functions,” the spokesperson stated.
AT&T emphasised that whereas many in-vehicle companies 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 develop into much more sturdy,” the spokesperson stated.
With regards to automobile connectivity, protection continuity is crucial. 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 deal with these limitations.
“Whereas AT&T maintains a particularly sturdy protection space with its mixed 4G and 5G networks within the U.S., some areas nonetheless lack protection, equivalent to distant areas and nationwide parks. AT&T has a strategic relationship with AST SpaceMobile, which goals to supply mobile connectivity through satellite tv for pc,” the spokesperson stated. “AT&T intends to leverage this partnership to broaden protection throughout the continental United States and scale back these protection gaps the place constructing cell websites is probably not 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 autos.
“AT&T has a number of enterprise fashions in the way it monetizes connectivity, however the partnership is absolutely about how AT&T 5G can future-proof autos with quick and dependable OTA updates whereas additionally enabling a extra gratifying infotainment expertise for drivers and passengers. 5G allows many software-defined automobile use circumstances equivalent to 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 help sooner knowledge speeds, enhanced leisure choices, and improved efficiency, serving to drivers and passengers keep related on the highway. Over-the-air updates will permit Mitsubishi Motors to remotely ship software program upgrades and safety patches to pick out automobile techniques, conserving autos present with the newest options whereas lowering downtime.
Mitsubishi additionally sees embedded connectivity as a pathway to larger operational effectivity and deeper buyer engagement. With decrease latency, increased capability, and elevated bandwidth, 5G networks help a extra responsive, data-driven driving expertise.
As of Q3 2025, AT&T reported masking extra roads than every other U.S. provider, with greater than 23,000 further highway miles than its closest competitor and over 66,000 greater than its second-closest competitor.