Automotive Network Access Device Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Vehicle Type (Passenger Car, Commercial Vehicle), By Demand Category (OEM vs Replacement), By Compatibility (4G, 5G), and By Region 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 6.67 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	9.71%
Fastest Growing Segment	Passenger Car
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 11.63 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Automotive Network Access Device Market will grow from USD 6.67 Billion in 2025 to USD 11.63 Billion by 2031 at a 9.71% CAGR. An Automotive Network Access Device is a specialized embedded radio module, typically integrated into a vehicle's telematics control unit, that facilitates cellular communication between the car and external networks. This component serves as the critical gateway for data transmission, enabling essential services such as emergency response systems, remote software updates, and advanced navigation. The market is primarily propelled by stringent government mandates regarding vehicle safety and the escalating consumer demand for seamless vehicular connectivity. According to the Global mobile Suppliers Association, in 2024, 619 operators in 184 countries were identified as investing in 5G networks, establishing the necessary infrastructure to support rapid automotive data transfer.

One significant challenge impeding market expansion is the complexity of cybersecurity assurance. As vehicles rely more heavily on continuous connectivity, the heightened risk of data breaches and unauthorized access forces manufacturers to implement expensive and intricate security protocols, potentially delaying product launches and increasing overall manufacturing costs.

Key Market Drivers

Accelerated integration of high-speed 5G and 4G LTE automotive connectivity serves as a foundational catalyst for the Global Automotive Network Access Device Market. As manufacturers transition from legacy networks, the deployment of NADs capable of handling high-bandwidth, low-latency transmission has become imperative for supporting advanced infotainment and real-time vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication. This technological migration aligns with the broader telecommunications trend of expanding next-generation network availability to support data-intensive applications. According to 5G Americas, March 2024, in the '5G and 4G LTE Global Statistics' update, global wireless 5G connections reached 1.76 billion by the end of 2023, creating the necessary ecosystem for reliable automotive data exchange. Consequently, manufacturers are prioritizing the development of modules that ensure consistent connectivity across these expanding network environments to facilitate autonomous features.

Simultaneously, the rising adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) requiring advanced digital infrastructure is significantly amplifying market volume. Unlike traditional combustion engines, EVs rely heavily on continuous data transmission for battery management, charging station location services, and essential Over-the-Air (OTA) software updates. This structural shift in vehicle powertrain technology necessitates robust, always-on NAD integration to ensure operational efficiency. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, February 2024, in the 'New Car Registrations: +13.9% in 2023' report, battery electric vehicle registrations in the EU grew to 1.5 million units in 2023. To meet this increasing requirement for digitally enabling hardware, component suppliers are scaling operations rapidly. According to Qualcomm, in 2024, the company reported that its automotive revenue increased by 35% year-over-year in the second fiscal quarter, reflecting the intensified procurement of connectivity modules by OEMs.

Download Free Sample Report

Key Market Challenges

The complexity of cybersecurity assurance stands as a formidable barrier impeding the expansion of the Global Automotive Network Access Device Market. As Network Access Devices (NADs) establish continuous cellular links for telematics and infotainment, they inadvertently expand the vehicle's attack surface, exposing critical control systems to potential remote exploitation. Consequently, manufacturers are forced to navigate an intricate landscape of compliance, adhering to rigorous standards such as UNECE R155 which mandate comprehensive security management systems throughout a vehicle's lifecycle. This requirement for "security by design" significantly increases development overheads and extends product validation timelines, directly slowing the mass deployment of advanced connectivity solutions.

The industry's escalating allocation of high-level resources to address these vulnerabilities highlights the magnitude of this operational challenge. According to the Automotive Information Sharing and Analysis Center (Auto-ISAC), in 2024, the participation of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) in executive working groups increased by 20% compared to the previous year. This substantial rise in executive engagement demonstrates the resource-intensive nature of securing vehicular networks, as companies are compelled to prioritize defensive architectures over rapid market expansion, thereby constraining the overall growth trajectory of the NAD sector.

Key Market Trends

A growing trend involves integrating satellite connectivity within NAD modules to ensure ubiquitous coverage, supporting emergency services and critical communications in remote areas where terrestrial cellular networks are unavailable. This integration of Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) capabilities allows vehicles to maintain continuous links for safety applications and asset tracking regardless of geographic isolation, effectively eliminating connectivity dead zones. As automotive OEMs prioritize resilient data links, the infrastructure supporting these hybrid connectivity modules is expanding rapidly to accommodate the new hardware requirements. According to the Global mobile Suppliers Association, September 2025, in the 'Non-Terrestrial 5G Networks and Satellite Connectivity' report, there were 170 publicly announced operator-satellite partnerships identified by August 2025, highlighting the extensive ecosystem development facilitating this technological convergence.

Network Access Devices are also being engineered with significantly higher processing power and memory to act as central gateways for Software-Defined Vehicles, managing frequent, large-scale Over-the-Air updates and enabling dynamic feature subscriptions. This structural evolution requires modules to handle massive data throughput for internal vehicle network management, functioning as high-performance edge computing nodes rather than simple modems. Manufacturers are increasingly consolidating telematics and infotainment functions into these advanced units to support the complex digital architectures of next-generation platforms. According to LG Electronics, January 2025, in the 'Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2024 Financial Results', the company's Vehicle Component Solutions division achieved an annual revenue of KRW 10.62 trillion, a performance largely driven by the sustained demand for high-value electric vehicle and connectivity components required for these advanced architectures.

Segmental Insights

The Passenger Car segment currently represents the fastest-growing category within the Global Automotive Network Access Device Market due to the rising demand for connected mobility features. Automakers are increasingly integrating these devices to support essential functions such as over-the-air software updates and remote diagnostics. This expansion is further reinforced by safety mandates from regulatory bodies like the European Commission, which require automated emergency response systems in new vehicles. These standards compel manufacturers to equip personal vehicles with embedded cellular connectivity, thereby driving the rapid adoption of network access units across the global passenger vehicle fleet.

Regional Insights

North America holds the leading position in the Global Automotive Network Access Device Market, supported by the high penetration of connected car features in the United States and Canada. This dominance is reinforced by substantial investments in 5G telecommunications infrastructure, which facilitates robust Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) data exchange. Additionally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) actively promotes vehicle safety standards that rely on reliable connectivity for emergency services and driver assistance systems. Consequently, automakers in the region prioritize the installation of embedded network modules to meet both regulatory expectations and consumer demand for seamless digital services.

Recent Developments

• In May 2025, LG Electronics demonstrated its advanced Internet of Things Non-Terrestrial Network (IoT-NTN) telematics technology during the 5G Automotive Association conference in Paris. The company successfully showcased a vehicle equipped with next-generation telematics control units that maintained uninterrupted voice communication while switching between terrestrial networks and satellite connections. This breakthrough utilized AI-powered voice compression technology to enable two-way conversations over satellite links, which were previously limited to short text messages. The demonstration highlighted the system's potential to enhance driver safety and connectivity in remote environments such as mountains or deserts where traditional cellular infrastructure is compromised or absent.
• In January 2025, Rolling Wireless introduced the RN941Y, its inaugural automotive-grade 5G Release 17 Network Access Device (NAD) featuring Narrowband Non-Terrestrial Network (NB-NTN) support. This new module was designed to ensure seamless connectivity for next-generation vehicles, even in remote areas where terrestrial cellular networks are unavailable. The product supports multiple satellite bands for services such as fleet tracking and emergency assistance. It features 4x4 downlink MIMO and backward compatibility with existing technologies, providing automakers with a flexible upgrade path. The company announced that engineering samples would be available immediately, with mass production scheduled to commence in 2027.
• In February 2024, Harman International unveiled the Ready Connect 5G Telematics Control Unit at the Mobile World Congress, aiming to democratize access to advanced automotive connectivity. This new product integrates the Snapdragon Auto 5G Modem-RF Gen 2 system to deliver high-performance in-cabin experiences while significantly reducing development barriers for automakers. Unlike traditional bespoke solutions, this off-the-shelf telematics unit allows manufacturers to expedite time-to-market and lower engineering costs through its modular design. The collaboration focuses on providing a scalable and upgradeable platform that meets the evolving demands of consumers for seamless connectivity, enabling rich media streaming and enhanced vehicle safety features.
• In February 2024, Fibocom announced the launch of the SC171, a 5G smart module designed to empower intelligent terminal applications including in-vehicle devices. Powered by the Qualcomm QCM6490 processor, this module supports 5G and Wi-Fi 6 wireless communication technologies to provide flexible and high-speed network access. The product features an octa-core high-performance processor and a built-in graphics processing unit, enabling it to handle complex multimedia tasks such as multi-camera input and dual-screen displays. By supporting multiple operating systems like Android, Linux, and Windows, Fibocom aimed to assist automotive aftermarket and smart IoT customers in accelerating the deployment of connected solutions.

Key Market Players

• NVIDIA
• Aptiv PLC
• Broadcom Inc
• Robert Bosch GmbH
• NXP Semiconductors N.V.
• Denso Corporation
• Texas Instruments Inc
• Harman International
• Infineon Technologies AG
• Qualcomm Technologies Inc

By Vehicle Type	By Demand Category	By Compatibility	By Region
Passenger Car Commercial Vehicle	OEM vs Replacement	4G 5G	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Automotive Network Access Device Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Automotive Network Access Device Market, By Vehicle Type:

• Passenger Car
• Commercial Vehicle

• Automotive Network Access Device Market, By Demand Category:

• OEM vs Replacement

• Automotive Network Access Device Market, By Compatibility:

• 4G
• 5G

• Automotive Network Access Device Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE