Three-quarters of drivers willing to pay for satellite-connected car services – report
08-06-2026
- A high proportion of drivers report hitting signal ‘dead zones’ every week, with 75% willing to pay for satellite-connected services.
- The survey, conducted by Viasat and 5G Automotive Association, also shows drivers heavily prioritize safety services, including real-time hazard warnings and emergency calls.
CARLSBAD., Calif., Aug., 6, 2026 – A new study from Viasat Inc., a global leader in satellite communications, and the 5G Automotive Association (5GAA) has revealed drivers around the world say they regularly experience coverage ‘black spots’ and are willing to pay for satellite-powered services – especially when it comes to safety.
The number of ‘connected cars’ has grown in recent years, usually using 4G or 5G cellular connections to enable features like emergency calls, entertainment, and breakdown assistance.
With road traffic injuries leaving between 20-50 million people with non-fatal injuries every year [1], automotive makers have continued to introduce new connected-safety features, for example SOS services which can detect serious collisions and automatically alert authorities via cellular.
Read the full report
Discover how satellite and terrestrial networks are reshaping connectivity for drivers and automotive OEMs in The Great Connectivity Convergence: NTN in Automotive.
Drivers want satellite-enabled safety services
Around three-quarters (76%) of drivers surveyed say they experience mobile signal losses every week, with some frequent drivers saying they spend more than four hours a week on the road without signal. When assessing connected services, 75% of drivers say they would be willing to pay for satellite-based connectivity.
The report shows that having an emergency call system was the top priority for many drivers, with 43% selecting it as their most desirable satellite-enabled service. Similarly, real-time alerts for local hazards and traffic problems were seen as indispensable by 17% of respondents, while traffic management during disaster situations was reported as crucial by 10%.
The study also reveals critical regional differences. In Indonesia, for example, 66% of drivers spend at least an hour a week outside of mobile coverage – double that observed in France (33%). Similar challenges were reported in India and Brazil. This directly correlates with a heightened demand for dependable connectivity. Respondents in India, Indonesia, and Brazil show the highest willingness to pay for a satellite-based connection.
Looking ahead, drivers show willingness to pay more than a standard satellite bundle for premium broadband features, including 4K/8K video streaming or automated software updates. A substantial 45% of respondents also showed interest in these higher data broadband satellite services.
Olaf Eckart, 5GAA WI Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) Lead, said: “The study has increased our confidence that there will be a market for satellite-based communication. Satellite-based safety services such as emergency calls and real time hazard alerts will probably be a first step since these services are admired most by the drivers.”
Andy Kessler, Vice President, Enterprise at Viasat
[1] World Health Organization | Road Traffic Injuries | https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/road-traffic-injuries
The latest report – NTN in Automotive – surveys 1,606 drivers across 10 countries, between October and November 2025. The survey asked drivers their views on possible satellite communication services, how important different connected car features are to them, and whether they would be willing to pay for these new satellite-powered options.
The report is part three of a series - The Great Connectivity Convergence - surveying consumers and industrial users about new standards-based Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) services in various markets. The first report – NTN in Consumer Mobile – was conducted by Viasat and GSMA Intelligence and surveyed more than 12,000 mobile phone users to ask mobile customers about direct-to-device satellite services. The second report – NTN in Industrial IoT – assesses the use of NTN for industrial IoT applications across five major industries.
The 5G Automotive Association (5GAA) is a global, cross-industry of more than 100 members, including leading global automakers, Tier-1 suppliers, mobile operators, semiconductor companies, and test equipment vendors. 5GAA members work together to develop end-to-end solutions for future mobility and transport services. 5GAA is committed to helping define and develop the next generation of connected mobility, automated vehicles, and intelligent transport solutions based on C-V2X. For more information about 5GAA, please visit www.5gaa.org or follow us on LinkedIn, X and YouTube.
Copyright © 2026 5GAA. All Rights Reserved. No part may be reproduced except as authorised by written permission. The copyright and the foregoing restriction extend to reproduction in all media.
Viasat is a global communications company that believes everyone and everything in the world can be connected. With offices in 24 countries around the world, our mission shapes how consumers, businesses, governments and militaries around the world communicate and connect. Viasat is developing the ultimate global communications network to power high-quality, reliable, secure, affordable, fast connections to positively impact people’s lives anywhere they are — on the ground, in the air or at sea — while building a sustainable future in space. In May 2023, Viasat completed its acquisition of Inmarsat, combining the teams, technologies and resources of the two companies to create a new global communications partner. Learn more at www.viasat.com, the Viasat News Room or follow us on Facebook, Bluesky Instagram, LinkedIn, X or YouTube.
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Richard Jones, External Communications, Corporate & Commercial Services, +44 7843 819 611, Richard.Jones@viasat.com
Lisa Curran/Peter Lopez, Investor Relations, +1 (760) 476-2633, IR@viasat.com
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