Using satellites to get help

BMW teams up with two companies for emergency voice-calling capability.

Posted on 23 September, 2026

Drivers stranded in remote areas without cellular coverage may soon be able to call for help via satellite.

BMW, Viasat and Cubic are claiming their system is the world’s first for in-car satellite voice-calling capability, and it could fill a critical gap on roads without cellphone coverage.

The technology, which has been demonstrated on a BMW iX3 in Munich, allows drivers to speak directly to an emergency support centre from the vehicle.

Andre Schlufter, director of automotive connectivity innovation at satellite operator Viasat, says the system builds on embedded SIM capabilities from Cubic, a provider of software-defined vehicle solutions.

Schlufter adds: “Many satellite-based emergency concepts focus on basic alerting or short messages. This goes further by showing how a vehicle could support a live voice call with an emergency response centre.”

He says he’s unaware of another system offering the same combination of in-car satellite connectivity and live two-way voice calls for emergency support.

Viasat has yet to disclose which carmakers will adopt the technology first. General Motors, Toyota and Ford Motor already offer e-call systems, but these rely on cellular networks rather than satellites.