Next-Gen eSIM Solutions are Transforming Connected Vehicles
Thales and Cubic have announced a ground-breaking partnership that is set to revolutionise vehicle connectivity. By integrating Thales’s advanced eSIM management platform with Cubic’s cutting-edge software-defined vehicle (SDV) solutions, the collaboration aims to address the growing demand for seamless, efficient, and secure connectivity in the automotive sector and beyond.
This strategic alliance ensures that global vehicle connectivity aligns with the latest GSMA standards, particularly the SGP.32 specification for IoT eSIM management. The result? A more flexible, scalable, and future-proof connectivity solution that simplifies how manufacturers and operators manage vehicle communications across multiple networks and regions.
Meeting the Industry’s Need for Seamless Connectivity
As the automotive and IoT industries expand, the demand for intelligent, automated connectivity solutions has never been higher. The GSMA SGP.32 standard plays a crucial role in meeting these demands by ensuring:
- Enhanced Security – Strengthening protection against cyber threats and unauthorised access.
- Interoperability – Seamless integration across various network operators and IoT devices.
- Scalability – Supporting high-volume deployments without the complexity of manual SIM swaps or physical interventions.
With this collaboration, Thales and Cubic are eliminating connectivity bottlenecks that have long plagued Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), transport operators, and fleet managers.
The integration of Thales’s GSMA SGP.32-compliant eSIM management system into Cubic’s ecosystem will streamline global connectivity, offering a robust, automated subscription activation and management process.
A Game-Changer for Automotive OEMs
Cubic’s clientele reads like a who’s who of the global automotive industry, featuring brands like Volkswagen AG, General Motors, SEAT, IVECO, and CNH. These industry leaders will now benefit from an optimised connectivity solution that:
- Automatically connects vehicles to local networks when crossing borders, eliminating expensive and time-consuming development processes.
- Enables factory-level pre-configuration, allowing vehicles to be shipped with built-in connectivity profiles that activate dynamically as they enter different markets.
- Offers seamless remote management, ensuring that updates, subscriptions, and network adjustments are handled effortlessly over the air (OTA).
The result? A frictionless experience for manufacturers and end-users alike, with reduced operational costs and enhanced vehicle performance.
Insights from Industry Leaders
“Thales has been a trusted partner of Cubic since 2017,” said Nick Power, CTO at Cubic. “For OEMs, adopting GSMA M2M eSIM has been anything but simple. Technical complexity, vendor lock-in, and managing multi-MNO connectivity at a global scale have all slowed adoption. Transitioning to a leaner, more efficient GSMA eSIM IoT architecture will be essential. This collaboration highlights our commitment to standardisation, interoperability, and innovation, ensuring Cubic customers can enjoy a more flexible, cost-efficient, and future-proof approach to global connectivity.”
Eva Rudin, VP of Mobile Connectivity Solutions at Thales, added: “With this upgrade, Cubic aims to remain at the forefront of IoT connectivity by addressing evolving market demands. The integration of Thales’s ‘On-Demand Subscription Manager’ platform will enable Cubic to maximise end-to-end connectivity management for OEMs, ensuring devices are seamlessly connected from factory to field.”
A Leader in Advanced Technologies
Thales is a global powerhouse in digital security and advanced technology, focusing on three key domains:
- Defence & Security – Developing next-generation defence and security solutions.
- Aeronautics & Space – Advancing innovations that support aviation and space exploration.
- Digital Identity & Security – Ensuring the safety and privacy of digital ecosystems worldwide.
With an annual R&D investment of nearly €4 billion, Thales continues to push the boundaries of quantum technologies, edge computing, 6G, and cybersecurity. Operating in 68 countries with 81,000 employees, the company generated €18.4 billion in revenue in 2023.
Pioneering Global Connectivity
Cubic Telecom has emerged as a leader in software-defined vehicle solutions, connecting over 23 million vehicles across 200+ countries. With its focus on eliminating the complexities of global automotive connectivity, Cubic enables seamless compliance with local regulations, making worldwide vehicle connectivity a reality.
By working with industry-leading OEMs in automotive, transportation, and agriculture, Cubic facilitates over one billion mobile internet data transmissions daily. Its ability to cut through regulatory and technological barriers ensures that vehicles shipped anywhere in the world maintain compliant, high-performance connectivity from day one.
A Smarter, More Connected Future
The partnership between Thales and Cubic signals a major step forward for global connectivity in the automotive industry. By embracing GSMA’s latest eSIM management standards, the two companies are enabling automotive manufacturers to stay ahead of the curve, delivering smart, flexible, and cost-efficient connectivity solutions that pave the way for a fully connected future.
With IoT and automotive technology advancing at a rapid pace, collaborations like this will define the future of mobility—one where vehicles are always connected, always secure, and always optimised for global operations.
