Key Takeaways:
- Vodafone Business IoT is collaborating with e& UAE to supply automotive IoT connectivity services to Mercedes-Benz.
- The service will utilize Vodafone’s Global SIM+ eSIM solution for seamless in-vehicle connectivity and enhanced digital services, launching in the first half of 2025.
- This partnership strengthens Vodafone’s and e& UAE’s positions in the digital automotive solutions market.
Vodafone Business IoT will collaborate with e& UAE, the telecommunications arm of global technology group e&, to supply automotive IoT connectivity services to Mercedes-Benz in the UAE. This agreement—commercially available for Mercedes-Benz customers in the first half of 2025—utilizes Vodafone’s Global SIM+ eSIM solution to provide seamless in-vehicle connectivity and enhanced digital services for drivers, compliant with local regulations in the country.
Under this agreement, e& UAE will grant access to its extensive coverage and advanced IoT capabilities through its mobile network to Vodafone Business IoT customers. This partnership expands the footprint of Vodafone Business IoT’s connectivity and provides e& UAE with a broader reach to serve cutting-edge digital automotive solutions from global original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
The announcement builds on the strategic relationship that Vodafone Group Plc and e& announced last year, allowing the two companies to collaborate across a wide range of growth areas and benefit from each other’s operational scale and geographic footprint.
By leveraging the innovative Global SIM+ eSIM proposition, Vodafone Business IoT and e& can provide seamless cross-border connectivity, making it easier and more efficient for customers to access connected services globally.
Erik Brenneis, CEO of Vodafone Business IoT, expressed excitement about the collaboration, stating, “We’re delighted to build on our existing relationship with e& to provide seamless IoT connectivity to more customers in more countries. This agreement means that OEMs—like Mercedes-Benz—will be able to deploy their connected cars to customers in the UAE, ensuring reliable, fully-compliant connectivity.”
Masood M. Sharif Mahmood, CEO of e& UAE, highlighted the significance of the partnership, stating, “This strategic partnership with Vodafone marks a significant step in the evolution of automotive connectivity. By amplifying Vodafone’s global IoT capabilities with e& UAE’s secure connectivity services and reliable network, we’re set to deliver a truly seamless and innovative solution for Mercedes-Benz in the country.”
This agreement guarantees customers a reliable and secure experience through locally configured connectivity that complies with local requirements, enabling OEMs to deploy compliant IoT services. It also assures drivers of fully integrated in-car services such as popular music streaming apps, personalized infotainment, telematics services, and over-the-air software updates.
