MWC26: Why the 5GAA Wants More 5GSA

Why It Matters

Broader 5G SA, edge, and satellite integration will unlock scalable, revenue‑generating connected‑car services worldwide, reshaping automotive business models and accelerating V2X adoption.

Key Takeaways

• 5GAA pushes for pan‑European 5G SA coverage for vehicles.
• Edge computing seen as crucial for automated driving offload.
• Low‑Earth‑Orbit satellites complement 5G, filling coverage gaps in rural areas.
• Safety‑plus‑payment bundles emerging as viable car monetization strategies.
• 5GAA aims for globally consistent connectivity in 150 countries.

Summary

At MWC26 in Barcelona, Maxine Flamour, CTO of the 5G Automotive Association (5GAA), explained the group’s agenda to expand 5G standalone (SA) networks beyond isolated markets and to integrate satellite and edge solutions for a truly global connected‑car ecosystem.

Flamour emphasized that automotive OEMs need pan‑European SA coverage, not just isolated deployments in Germany or the UK, and highlighted edge computing as a catalyst for off‑loading latency‑sensitive functions in automated‑driving and software‑defined vehicles. She also noted the growing role of Low‑Earth‑Orbit (LEO) non‑terrestrial networks to plug coverage gaps, especially in underserved regions.

A concrete business case she cited is the “safety‑plus‑payment” bundle, where 5G connectivity enables tolling and micro‑payments directly from the vehicle, a model gaining traction in the United States and expected to spread internationally. Flamour pointed out that while cars are sold in roughly 150 countries, connected‑service subscriptions currently reach only 40‑50, constrained by regulatory and operator barriers.

The implications are clear: OEMs must align product roadmaps with telco rollouts, leverage edge and LEO assets to meet latency and coverage demands, and adopt bundled monetization models to justify investment. 5GAA’s advocacy for standardized, globally applicable connectivity could accelerate cross‑border service deployment and shape future V2X standards.

Original Description

Maxime Flament, CTO at the 5GAA (5G Automotive Association), discusses the importance of widespread 5G standalone (5GSA) deployments and distributed edge architectures to the connected vehicle sector, the key frequency band considerations related to the potential of satellite communications for the auto industry, and much more.

Recorded March 2026

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