Viasat, Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT) demonstrated what it described as the first automotive satellite voice call fully integrated into a BMW Group vehicle's platform, according to a press release from the company. The demonstration took place during the 5G Automotive Association Meeting Week in Munich, Germany.

The demonstration used Qualcomm Technologies Inc.'s Snapdragon Auto 5G Modem-RF Gen 2 solution and the Fraunhofer IIS NESC AI voice codec to transmit voice communications via the NB-IoT protocol over Viasat's L-band satellite network. The technology was integrated with the infotainment system of a BMW iX3, allowing voice calls to be initiated and managed through the vehicle's interface.

The demonstration builds on an earlier collaboration involving eSIM capabilities from Cubic³, a provider of software-defined vehicle solutions. Viasat, BMW Group, Cubic³, and Fraunhofer IIS are all members of the 5G Automotive Association.

"By bringing standards-based NTN to vehicles, we can integrate satellite voice and messaging and ultimately enable a future where drivers can remain connected — wherever the journey takes them," said Sandeep Moorthy, Senior Vice President, Advanced Non-Terrestrial Solutions at Viasat.

The NB-IoT protocol is designed for lower data-rate applications and is governed by global 3GPP standards. Future 3GPP releases are expected to support 5G-New Radio satellite services, which could enable video streaming and roaming between terrestrial and satellite networks.

Potential automotive applications identified by Viasat include emergency voice and messaging services, fleet management, and over-the-air software updates in areas with limited cellular coverage.