AT&T and Rivian are expanding their work together to bring 5G connectivity to the Rivian R2, helping deliver a more responsive, connected driving experience as the next generation of Rivian vehicles comes to market. With AT&T 5G connectivity built into the R2, drivers and passengers will benefit from faster, more reliable access to the vehicle’s core digital features, including seamless over-the-air software updates, enhanced infotainment, and real-time services designed to improve performance and personalisation over time, resulting in a vehicle experience that can continuously evolve long after it leaves the factory.
As vehicles become more software-defined, connectivity plays a critical role in supporting how features are delivered and updated. AT&T’s network helps enable the speed, low latency, and reliability needed to support these capabilities, from delivering updates more efficiently to enabling more responsive in-vehicle applications. This latest milestone builds on the relationship announced in 2023, when AT&T became the connectivity provider for Rivian vehicles in the United States and Canada, supporting connected experiences across its lineup. That foundation continues with the R2, extending advanced connectivity to Rivian’s next-generation platform.
Matt Harden, Vice President of Connected Solutions at AT&T, said connectivity is increasingly central to how vehicles are designed, delivered, and improved, and that the ongoing relationship with Rivian is built around that shift, with 5G in the R2 helping create a platform for continuous innovation across the vehicle lifecycle. Tom Solomon, Vice President of Business Development at Rivian, described every Rivian as leaving the factory as an intelligent, connected, and capable machine, but stressed that the technology journey does not stop there. With 5G connectivity powered by AT&T, R2 owners will be able to access powerful applications like navigation and streaming services, answer complex questions via the artificial intelligence-powered Rivian Assistant, and see their vehicle improve continuously through over-the-air software updates.
The Rivian R2 partnership illustrates a broader industry shift in which connectivity is no longer treated as an optional feature layered on top of a finished vehicle, but as foundational infrastructure that determines how the vehicle performs, improves, and responds to user needs across its entire service life. The software-defined vehicle model, where features can be added, adjusted, or upgraded remotely after purchase, depends entirely on the reliability and bandwidth of the cellular connectivity embedded in the vehicle at the point of manufacture. AT&T connects millions of cars and fleet vehicles on its network and continues to support automakers with connectivity solutions designed to scale across vehicle platforms, with its work with Rivian reflecting a broader effort to help enable more connected and intelligent vehicles with experiences that extend beyond the drive.
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