AT&T mentioned 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 car platform – AT&T is positioning 5G as the muse for software-defined autos, enabling quicker OTA updates and extra superior in-car providers.
Protection past mobile – To help dependable car 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 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 choosing the right out there connection primarily based on community situations. In response to the telco, this multi-mode method is designed to ship a persistently high-quality linked expertise as 5G protection continues to increase.
“It allows quicker and extra dependable OTAs for safety and new characteristic enhancements, and a quicker and extra dependable connection for streaming audio and infotainment purposes,” the spokesperson mentioned.
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 finest 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 strong,” the spokesperson mentioned.
In terms of car 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 mentioned it’s pursuing a hybrid terrestrial-satellite technique to handle these limitations.
“Whereas AT&T maintains an especially strong 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 by way of satellite tv for pc,” the spokesperson mentioned. “AT&T intends to leverage this partnership to increase protection throughout the continental United States and cut back these protection gaps the place constructing cell websites will not be commercially or legally possible.”
Past protection enlargement, 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 actually about how AT&T 5G can future-proof autos with quick and dependable OTA updates whereas additionally enabling a extra pleasurable infotainment expertise for drivers and passengers. 5G allows many software-defined car use circumstances equivalent to linked autonomous driving and mission-critical knowledge site visitors prioritization,” the spokesperson added.
As Mitsubishi’s flagship SUV, the Outlander will use AT&T 5G connectivity to help quicker knowledge speeds, enhanced leisure choices, and improved efficiency, serving to drivers and passengers keep linked on the street. Over-the-air updates will enable Mitsubishi Motors to remotely ship software program upgrades and safety patches to pick car techniques, preserving autos present with the newest options whereas decreasing downtime.
Mitsubishi additionally sees embedded connectivity as a pathway to better 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 another U.S. provider, with greater than 23,000 further street miles than its closest competitor and over 66,000 greater than its second-closest competitor.
