Cubic Telecom, a leading global provider of software-defined vehicle (SDV) solutions, has formed a strategic partnership with Skylo Technologies, a pioneer in non-terrestrial network (NTN) communications. This collaboration expands Cubic’s connectivity solutions to include access to Skylo’s global satellite network, offering enhanced communication capabilities for vehicles worldwide. As part of this partnership, Skylo’s NTN solutions will be integrated into Cubic’s industry-leading platform, providing OEMs with advanced satellite connectivity options for their vehicle fleets.
Cubic Telecom, which already connects over 21 million vehicles in more than 190 countries, now enables its customers to leverage Skylo’s satellite network for continuous global coverage. The new partnership utilizes standards-based NB-NTN chipsets and an optimized messaging protocol that maximizes the benefits of satellite communication. This powerful combination ensures that vehicles can seamlessly switch between cellular and satellite networks, delivering uninterrupted connectivity, especially in remote or underserved areas.
The integration of Skylo’s satellite solutions into Cubic’s platform offers significant advantages for vehicle communication, particularly for critical use cases such as location tracking, remote diagnostics, emergency communications, and vehicle unlocking. The ability to switch between cellular and satellite networks ensures reliable and real-time communication, which is especially crucial in emergency situations where cellular networks may be unavailable or congested. This capability will play an important role in enhancing safety and operational efficiency in fleet management, offering a lifeline to emergency services and drivers in remote locations.
One of the key objectives of this partnership is to strengthen NTN use cases, particularly in emergency response and communications. The unique nature of satellite communication—offering unmatched reliability and coverage—enables continuous real-time data transmission, even in disaster-stricken areas. This is vital for supporting emergency response teams during critical missions, where timely communication can mean the difference between life and death.
Barry Napier, CEO of Cubic Telecom, emphasized the importance of this partnership, stating, “By integrating Skylo’s NTN capabilities with our software-defined vehicle solutions, we are elevating vehicle communications to new levels of energy efficiency, smart technology integration, and robust security. This collaboration allows us to optimize energy usage through intelligent network management, leveraging cutting-edge smart technologies for seamless connectivity. Moreover, it reinforces our commitment to innovation, safety, and sustainability, ensuring our customers have access to secure and reliable connectivity whether on the road or in remote locations—particularly in emergency situations.”
Parthsarathi Trivedi, Co-Founder and CEO of Skylo, highlighted the operational benefits of the collaboration, noting, “Skylo’s partnership with Cubic is a critical enabler for OEMs, offering a seamless bridge between satellite and cellular networks. This integration provides a cost-efficient solution for remote vehicle monitoring, emergency messaging, and roadside assistance, ensuring service availability and reliability today. Our standards-based solution offers automotive OEMs the predictability and reliability they need as they incorporate satellite connectivity into their long-term product roadmaps.”
Skylo’s approach to satellite connectivity leverages dedicated, licensed mobile satellite service (MSS) spectrum within globally allocated satellite frequency bands. This approach ensures continuous coverage, particularly in rural and remote regions, without interfering with cellular networks. Unlike other satellite systems that require mobile network operators to share spectrum, Skylo’s use of MSS spectrum avoids potential interference, creating a seamless satellite solution that is free from exclusion zones. This is crucial for providing ubiquitous coverage in areas where traditional cellular networks may struggle to reach, ensuring vehicles maintain connectivity even in the most challenging environments.
Cubic Telecom’s global reach and extensive network of over 90 mobile network operators (MNOs) enable the company to provide fully compliant, connected vehicle solutions across a wide range of markets. By integrating Skylo’s satellite network into their offering, Cubic Telecom is able to extend its capabilities, ensuring continuous, reliable vehicle connectivity regardless of location. This partnership enhances the company’s ability to manage the complexities of connecting vehicles with different technologies, all while complying with local regulations in multiple countries.
Cubic Telecom’s expertise in software-defined vehicle solutions has allowed it to build a powerful ecosystem that connects 21 million vehicles globally and facilitates 1 billion mobile internet data transmissions daily. The addition of satellite connectivity, made possible through this partnership with Skylo, ensures that vehicles can remain connected even in areas where traditional mobile networks are unavailable. This is a game-changer for industries such as automotive, transportation, and agriculture, where reliable communication is essential for fleet management, safety, and operational efficiency.
As satellite communication continues to evolve and gain traction in the automotive industry, Cubic Telecom and Skylo’s partnership stands as a prime example of how cutting-edge technology can address the connectivity challenges faced by vehicles operating in remote or underserved areas. This collaboration is a significant step forward in providing vehicles with the ability to stay connected, ensuring they are equipped to handle critical communications even in the most remote locations.
In conclusion, Cubic Telecom and Skylo Technologies are setting a new standard for vehicle connectivity by integrating satellite communication with cellular networks. This partnership will revolutionize how vehicles remain connected in remote locations, providing OEMs with a reliable, secure, and cost-efficient solution that enhances safety, efficiency, and operational capabilities across industries. As the automotive sector embraces the future of connectivity, this collaboration offers a glimpse of what’s to come in the realm of satellite-powered vehicle communication.
