Over 1 Billion Connected Cars by 2035 — Can Mobile Networks Keep Up?

The number is staggering. Connected cars using cellular networks are set to exceed one billion vehicles globally by 2035, a shift that deepens drivers' reliance on over-the-air updates and in-car digital services — and puts automakers and telecom operators under real pressure to keep those services alive as network generations evolve.

473.7 Million Connected Vehicles in 2025, 1.05 Billion by 2035

Omdia Research, in a study published in September, projected that the number of vehicles equipped with cellular connectivity will climb to more than 1.05 billion by 2035, up from 473.7 million in 2025, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 8.3%. That growth isn't confined to a single segment — it spans market tiers and geographies, signaling a structural shift in how consumers treat their cars as always-on devices. The pace is relentless.

What Connectivity Delivers Inside Volvo and Renault Vehicles

Connectivity isn't a luxury feature. Its role extends to over-the-air vehicle software updates, real-time route planning for electric vehicles. Digital safety and driver-assistance services. As these use cases expand, service-level agreements between automakers and network operators become more critical — as does providing clear upgrade paths for connectivity hardware. Without those agreements, millions of cars simply lose functions their owners have come to expect.

4G Shutdown Threatens Services for Millions of Cars

The study warns that the phase-out of 4G networks in some markets, expected from 2030, could create challenges for vehicles that depend on them — especially given the slow adoption of 5G in the automotive sector. This isn't a uniform global shutdown date; it depends on individual operator plans and regional markets. Omdia recommends aligning vehicle production plans and hardware upgrades with network evolution timelines to avoid service loss. Delaying that planning could cost automakers far more than just money.

2G and 3G Shutdown: A Lesson Already Learned

The effects of this transition have already played out with the shutdown of 2G and 3G networks. Volvo guidance notes that some cars with older connectivity modules lose connected services, including phone app functions for remote climate control and door lock/unlock, depending on the vehicle's equipment. Renault, for its part, clarifies that network shutdowns don't affect the vehicle's ability to drive, but may impact connectivity-dependent services such as emergency calls. The impact depends on the connectivity module type, the service, and the market. Is the Egyptian market ready for this?

Vehicle Data Traffic to More Than Quadruple

In separate forecasts, Omdia estimated that cellular data traffic from the automotive sector will rise from 30.7 exabytes in 2025 to 135 exabytes by 2035 — more than four times the current volume. That explosion reflects the car's transformation from a mode of transport into a fully connected digital platform consuming data continuously. No mobile network today can handle that volume without massive infrastructure investment.

The challenge is clear. As connected car numbers grow, coordination between automakers and network operators becomes an existential necessity, not an option. Companies planning now to upgrade connectivity modules in their vehicles will be far better positioned when 4G shutdowns arrive. Those that ignore it may face millions of customers who have lost services they were paying for.