Samsung subsidiary Harman announced at this week’s Mobile World Congress in Barcelona that it is working with satellite communications specialist Viasat to enable in-vehicle voice calling over satellite connectivity.

At the show, Harman is demonstrating satellite-enabled voice calling capabilities on its Ready Connect telematics control unit (TCU), highlighting how this can support anytime, anywhere communication, even in areas with intermittent to no cellular coverage.

By combining Harman’s TCU and Viasat’s MSS mobile satellite services, the collaboration unlocks satcom-based voice calling to facilitate communications where low data rate, safety-relevant connectivity is required. Augmenting rather than replacing terrestrial cellular connectivity, satellite networks can provide dependable communication in areas with intermittent cellular coverage to enhance safety, support emergency response and maintain continuous connectivity on the road, especially areas beyond the reach of terrestrial networks.

Many journeys and commutes span regions with limited cellular network coverage, preventing access to essential services such as emergency assistance or vehicle recovery. For drivers and passengers, lack of cellular coverage can be critical to safety.

Harman’s TCU supports 4G, 5G and NB-NTN satellite connectivity using the same base. Viasat, acting as the satellite network operator (SNO), provides access to its satellite network and licensed global spectrum rights.

Satellite voice calling ensures drivers and passengers can reliably contact and speak with safety critical services or roadside assistance in areas with limited or no cellular connectivity to provide crucial details in the event of an incident, injury or stranded vehicle. The capability also supports personal calls to update family or friends during unexpected or emergency situations.

This collaboration centres on enabling baseline voice services over satellite, underpinned by Viasat’s satellite network and Harman’s heritage in delivering robust, road-ready automotive connectivity.

“Harman’s MWC showcase underscores our commitment to advancing non-terrestrial network integration and working with ecosystem partners to bring next-generation connected experiences to market,” said Dhanaji Khade, vice president at Harman. “Through our collaboration with Viasat, Harman Ready Connect demonstrates how its satellite-enabled architecture, which supports the 3GPP NB-NTN standard, can extend communication beyond traditional terrestrial networks. This includes enabling voice services that facilitate immediate safety and emergency assist applications. Working alongside innovators such as Viasat and building on our legacy of in-cabin innovation, decades of automotive expertise and significant investment in engineering and state-of-the-art technologies, Harman is uniquely positioned to deliver transformative in-vehicle products that elevate safety, productivity and entertainment, even in challenging environments.”

Sandeep Moorthy, senior vice president at Viasat, added: “Satellite connectivity has arrived for the automotive industry. Through our collaboration with Harman, vehicles can now connect directly to our satellite network. That means major benefits for drivers all around the world; not only to stay safe when they’re outside of cell coverage, but to access the range of applications that space technology can bring.”

Alongside voice calling, the collaboration supports messaging, emergency SOS features and low-data-rate telematics use cases through NB-NTN satcom and Ready Connect. This includes benefits such as remote vehicle operation, stolen vehicle tracking and remote vehicle diagnostics.

Looking ahead, the partnership includes a roadmap to broadband satcom services enabled by Viasat. This has the potential to unlock additional in‑cabin media services, streaming and high‑bandwidth connectivity, strengthening the future of the software‑defined, always‑connected vehicle.

For more information on Harman Ready Connect, visit car.harman.com/experiences/ready-connect.

A wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics, Harman (car.harman.com) has approximately 26,000 employees around the world. Viasat (www.viasat.com) has offices in 24 countries around the world and in May 2023 acquired Inmarsat.