SmallSat Europe Speaker Focus: Olaf Eckart, BMW Group

Why It Matters

Automakers are moving from pilot projects to large‑scale satellite integration, creating a new demand pipeline for satellite operators and chipset makers. This accelerates the market for direct‑to‑device satellite services and reshapes the automotive connectivity landscape.

Key Takeaways

• BMW and Viasat demoed first satellite‑connected vehicle in real traffic
• 5GAA NTN roadmap defines satellite data rates and cost targets for cars
• Narrowband IoT for emergency messaging slated for mass market by 2027
• 91% of IoT decision‑makers plan direct‑to‑device satellite adoption within 18 months
• BMW’s Non‑Terrestrial Network team coordinates chipsets, operators, and satellite firms

Pulse Analysis

The automotive sector is rapidly recognizing satellite connectivity as a core feature rather than a contingency. BMW’s NTN team, under Olaf Eckart, bridges the gap between car manufacturers and the satellite ecosystem, translating vehicle requirements into technical specifications that satellite providers can meet. By aligning with chipset vendors, network operators, and satellite firms, the team ensures that future cars will have built‑in capabilities to access both terrestrial 5G and space‑based links, a synergy that has been largely absent from traditional satellite conferences.

The 5GAA NTN Roadmap, co‑authored by Eckart, provides a detailed timeline for rolling out narrowband IoT, wideband, and broadband services in vehicles. Its cost‑target framework is designed to make satellite links viable at mass‑production scales, with the first narrowband applications—emergency messaging and breakdown calls—projected for 2027. The May 2025 live demo in Paris, where BMW and Viasat delivered hazard warnings via satellite with seamless handover, proved the concept in real traffic. Coupled with Viasat’s February 2026 report that 91% of IoT decision‑makers plan direct‑to‑device satellite adoption within 18 months, the market is poised for rapid growth, spurring new silicon development for NTN chipsets.

For satellite manufacturers, the automotive demand represents a lucrative new revenue stream that could dwarf traditional satellite services. At SmallSat Europe, Eckart’s participation underscores the industry’s shift toward demand‑side storytelling, highlighting how cars will become a primary platform for satellite data. This convergence will likely drive increased investment in low‑cost, high‑throughput satellite constellations and stimulate partnerships across telecom, automotive, and space sectors, reshaping the competitive dynamics of both markets.