Ensuring 24/7 future-proof car connectivity
Today, mobile connected technology is fully incorporated into virtually every aspect of our lives.
The promise of a fully “connected car” is extremely exciting for drivers, automakers and automotive service providers alike.
In this context, car makers and automotive suppliers trust Thales to manage worldwide cellular connectivity.
Thales makes the increasingly connected automotive world secure and easy to control.
With more than 20+ years experience connecting vehicles, Thales customers benefit from its leadership position in mobile connectivity standardization, serving more than 450 mobile operators worldwide. Global car connectivity solutions and remote management greatly reduce supply chain complexity for automotive OEMs while enabling easier end-user experiences, over long vehicle lifecycles.
Connected car technology
Automotive-grade M2M technology provides cellular IoT connectivity and new mobile lifestyles for both drivers and passengers offering high-speed, low latency connectivity, and a suite of advanced features including mobile Wi-Fi hotspot, Internet radio, Web services and an improved navigation system.
However, the environment vehicles encounter can be fierce and wireless technology has to withstand extreme temperatures, excessive vibration, and moisture experienced on the road.
On top of this, strict automotive manufacturing specifications add to the challenges of building an effective “smart car.”
With embedded cellular LTE connectivity solutions, car manufacturers like Audi are able to offer high-speed, low latency car connectivity and a suite of advanced services that enhance “on the road” experiences for both drivers and passengers.
Users can enjoy simultaneous embedded voice and data services, allowing one passenger to search online for the best nearby restaurant while another passenger calls for a reservation.
Industrial versions of embedded SIMs, or eSIM, are integrated into cars during the manufacturing process, to enhance car security and connectivity flexibility.
eSIMs identify individual vehicles, encrypt communications and ensure secure global car connectivity for smart vehicle systems. These include eCall emergency solutions, vehicle telematics, navigation and more and are optimized to survive extreme environments (humidity or heat, for example).
eSIMs also enable secure and remote car connectivity provisioning services, which greatly simplifies the manufacturing process and global connectivity deployment, wherever vehciles will be operating. They provide great flexibility to select or swap mobile network service providers and service plans, during the long life of connected cars.
In the future, secure cloud-based service enablement and next-generation features such as integrated NFC and mobile wallet applications, and integration in the smart city will further contribute to convenience for drivers and passengers alike.
Ensure always-on car connectivity
Thales solutions enable the use of end-users' subscriptions for infotainment services in mobility and provide the technical enabler for Infotainment/Telematics connectivity.
Thales connect all vehicles with :
- Cellular IoT Connectivity modules
- M2M-grade eSIM cards
- Remote subscription management
Learn more:
Discover the benefits of autonomous cars
Discover Vehicle to Everything (V2X)
Discover end-to-end cybersecurity for connected vehicles

Gartner Hype Cycle for Connected Vehicles and Smart Mobility, 2020
From 5G to autonomous vehicle perception systems, and from eSIM to real-time data analytics, the report provides key guidance for automotive leaders to concentrate on game-changing technologies and business opportunities.
Read the report
End-to-End Cybersecurity for Connected Vehicles
Cybersecurity is complex and quickly evolving. Leveraging advanced and proven expertise in digital security and IoT, the Thales Trusted Key Manager provides car makers with support for digital transformation while ensuring the end-to-end security of the automotive ecosystem.
Read more
The Connected Car
How connectivity is revolutionizing the way we travel from A to B
Download our infographic on "The Connected Car"Connected cars and smart cities: securing the future.
What does the future hold for connected cars and smart cities? What will security challenges be?
And what role will personal data, connectivity and machine learning play?
Jeremy Green has worked in the telecommunications industry for over 30 years, most notably as an industry analyst at specialist research companies including Machina Research and Gartner.
He shares his thoughts on how he sees the future of connected vehicles and smart cities shaping up.
Get Inspired

How connected cars are changing the face of the automotive industry
After a century of gradual upgrades to make vehicles faster and sleeker, digitalization and continuous connectivity are changing the face of the automotive industry and the very nature of transportation. Learn more in our series of articles and exclusive video interviews.
Read more