Viasat and Cubic³ to Demonstrate Advanced Satellite Voice Call Capabilities for Connected Vehicles
Rhea-AI Summary
Viasat (NASDAQ: VSAT) and Cubic³, with Qualcomm and Fraunhofer IIS, will demonstrate satellite-enabled voice calling for connected vehicles at Mobile World Congress 2026. The 3GPP-compliant demo shows voice over a non-terrestrial network to sustain safety and emergency calls when cellular coverage is weak or unavailable.
The demo integrates Viasat’s satellite network, Cubic³’s connectivity platform and hybrid eSIM, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Auto 5G Modem-RF Gen 2, and Fraunhofer’s NESC codec.
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News Market Reaction – VSAT
On the day this news was published, VSAT declined 0.54%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction. Our momentum scanner triggered 4 alerts that day, indicating moderate trading interest and price volatility. This price movement removed approximately $37M from the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $6.81B at that time.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
VSAT is up 5.95% with mixed peer moves: VIAV +4.33% (also +7.36% in momentum scan), ONDS +4.15%, while COMM and EXTR are slightly negative. Only one peer appears in momentum data and no peers have same‑day news, pointing to a VSAT-specific reaction.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 11 | Ground antennas sale | Positive | +0.7% | Sale of advanced S/X/Ka-band antennas to expand RTE coverage. |
| Feb 05 | Earnings release | Neutral | -5.7% | Publication of third quarter fiscal 2026 financial results. |
| Jan 29 | Earnings call setup | Neutral | -2.8% | Announcement of date and webcast details for Q3 FY26 call. |
| Jan 15 | Boardroom interview | Neutral | +3.0% | External interview content highlighted sector-related strategic priorities. |
| Jan 06 | Connectivity rollout | Positive | +12.9% | Evergreen confirmed fleetwide rollout of Inmarsat NexusWave connectivity. |
Recent positive connectivity wins and partnerships have generally seen modest to strong price gains, while earnings-related communications have produced weaker or negative next-day moves.
Over the past few months, Viasat’s news flow has centered on network expansion and financial updates. On Jan 6, an Evergreen fleetwide NexusWave rollout coincided with a 12.88% gain. Antenna sales to Astralintu on Feb 11 saw a smaller 0.73% rise. In contrast, the Q3 FY26 earnings release on Feb 5 and its related call announcement on Jan 29 were followed by declines of ‑5.65% and ‑2.84%. Today’s connected-vehicle satellite voice demo fits the pattern of operational connectivity milestones that have previously aligned with positive price moves.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement highlights Viasat’s push into automotive connectivity by demonstrating satellite-enabled voice calls for software-defined vehicles, aimed at enhancing safety and emergency coverage beyond cellular reach. It builds on earlier network-expansion wins and follows a quarter where revenue reached $1.16 billion with a return to profitability but a year-to-date net loss of $92.9 million. Investors may watch how deeply this technology embeds with major automakers and how it supports cash flow and debt-servicing commitments over time.
Key Terms
3gpp-compliant technical
non-terrestrial satellite network technical
software-defined vehicles technical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
- At MWC 2026, Viasat and Cubic³ - in association with Qualcomm - will showcase satellite-enabled voice calling capabilities for software-defined-vehicles.
- Live demonstration highlights a major step forward for always-on vehicle safety and emergency connectivity.
BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 25, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Viasat and Cubic³, in association with Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and Fraunhofer IIS, today announced a demonstration of satellite-enabled voice calls over a 3GPP-compliant non-terrestrial satellite network for connected vehicles, planned to take place at Mobile World Congress 2026.
The demonstration will showcase a voice call conducted over satellite, enabling vehicles to maintain voice connectivity when cellular networks are patchy or unavailable. This milestone will show that voice communications – a critical benefit for driver safety and emergency access – can operate reliably beyond the reach of terrestrial networks.
The demo brings together several advanced technologies to demonstrate how always-on connectivity can be integrated into modern software-defined vehicles (SDVs). This includes Viasat’s highly reliable satellite network, Cubic³’s global connectivity management platform (CMP) and hybrid eSIM, Qualcomm Technologies’ Snapdragon® Auto 5G Modem-RF Gen 2 platform, and the NESC voice codec from Fraunhofer IIS, with additional technical support from Amarisoft.
By extending voice services beyond cellular coverage, automakers can ensure drivers remain connected for emergency assistance and critical safety applications, regardless of location. The demonstration also lays the foundation for future NTN-enabled vehicles as consumer expectations on data services increase and technology evolves to meet growing demand.
The collaboration builds on the partnership announced by Viasat and Cubic³ in June 2025, which combined satellite and terrestrial connectivity to support global vehicle communications. Cubic³ also intends to work with Viasat to bring future 5G-NR satellite services, such as video streaming and seamless voice calls, to the automotive market.
These future applications would leverage Equatys, a jointly held entity being founded by Viasat and Space42. Equatys is designed to enable seamless 5G connectivity across satellite and terrestrial networks, extending services to billions of people and devices globally.
Driving Leadership in Connected Mobility
Viasat is advancing satellite connectivity for the mobility sector, helping ensure vehicles stay connected everywhere they travel. Cubic³ enables this vision by providing a global
connectivity platform that integrates cellular and satellite networks reliably and effectively for automakers and their customers.
Cubic³ is a software-first technology leader that combines advanced global connectivity and managed services to deliver cost-efficient solutions for automotive, agricultural and transport OEMs. It connects more than 27 million vehicles across over 200 countries and territories, enabling 12 of the top 20 automotive groups to roll out new connected services quickly and consistently.
Quotes
“Today marks the point where satellite connectivity moves from concept to reality for vehicles,” said Sandeep Moorthy, Senior Vice President, Advanced Non-Terrestrial Solutions at Viasat. “Together with our partners, we’re demonstrating that reliable voice connectivity for safety and emergency use can be delivered globally, wherever drivers travel. We are well positioned to bring the benefits of satellite connectivity at scale to the automotive industry.”
“As vehicles become increasingly software-defined, connectivity must be intelligent and truly global,” said André Schlufter, Director of Connectivity Innovation at Cubic³. “This demonstration shows how satellite connectivity can extend the reliability automakers already expect from cellular networks.”
“As pioneers in wireless innovation, we’re making advanced connectivity an integral part of the vehicle platform itself,” said Jeff Arnold, VP & GM, Auto Telematics & Consumer/Connectivity, IE-IOT, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “Working with Viasat and Cubic³, this demonstration shows how standards‑based cellular and satellite technologies can be seamlessly integrated to support reliable voice communications – an important step toward resilient, always‑available safety services for software‑defined vehicles.”
Viasat, Cubic³, and Qualcomm Technologies are active members of the 5GAA (5G Automotive Association), working with industry partners to advance global connectivity standards for the automotive sector.
See the demonstration live at Mobile World Congress 2026. Visit Viasat at MWC Barcelona, Hall 6, Booth 6A20 to take part.
Snapdragon is a trademark or registered trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated.
Snapdragon is a product of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries.
Notes to editor
Media & Press Enquiries
Cubic3 Press Office
Cubic3@fightorflight.com
+44 330 133 0985
Viasat, Inc. Contacts
Richard Jones, External Communications, Corporate & Commercial Services, richard.jones@viasat.com
About Cubic3
Cubic3 provides advanced connectivity solutions for software-defined vehicles (SDVs) across more than 200 countries and territories. We help automotive, agricultural, and transportation OEMs navigate the complexities of vehicle connectivity while ensuring compliance with global regulations. With access to over 550 mobile networks, our smart connectivity empowers OEMs to innovate, scale and unlock new opportunities, driving efficiency and growth.
About Viasat
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.
Copyright © 2026 Viasat, Inc. All rights reserved. Viasat, the Viasat logo and the Viasat Signal are registered in the U.S and in other countries to Viasat, Inc. All other product or company names mentioned are used for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.
FAQ
What will Viasat (VSAT) demonstrate at MWC 2026 on February 25, 2026?
How does the VSAT and Cubic³ demo improve vehicle safety and emergency connectivity?
Which technologies and partners are involved in Viasat's VSAT vehicle voice demo at MWC 2026?
Will the VSAT demo support future 5G-NR satellite services for automotive use?
Where and when can investors see Viasat (VSAT) and Cubic³'s satellite voice call demo?
