Vodafone is collaborating with telco Etisalat, known as e&, to supply automotive IoT connectivity services to Mercedes-Benz in the UAE.

This agreement, which will be commercially available for Mercedes-Benz’s customers in the first half of 2025, uses Vodafone’s Global SIM+ eSIM to provide seamless in-vehicle connectivity and enhanced digital services for drivers; it is compliant with local regulation in the country.

Under this agreement, Etisalat will grant access to its extensive coverage in the territory and IoT capabilities through its mobile network to Vodafone Business IoT customers. This partnership expands the footprint of Vodafone’s IoT connectivity and provides e& with a broader reach to serve the digital automotive technology from global OEMs.

The announcement builds on the relationship that Vodafone and e& announced last year that allows the two companies to collaborate across a broad range of growth areas, where both can benefit from each other’s respective operational scale and complementary geographic footprint.

By leveraging the 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.

“We’re delighted to build on our existing relationship with e& to provide seamless IoT connectivity to more customers in more countries,” said Erik Brenneis, CEO of Vodafone Business IoT. “This agreement means that OEMs – like Mercedes-Benz – will be able to deploy their connected cars to their customers in the UAE, while being assured that their customers will reap the benefits of reliable, fully-compliant connectivity. We look forward to our continued relationship with e&, and hyperscaling our managed IoT connectivity service in the region.”

Masood Sharif Mahmood, CEO of e& in the UAE, added: “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 innovation for Mercedes-Benz in the country.”

This agreement ensures that customers will have a reliable and secure experience, through locally configured connectivity that complies with local connectivity requirements, governed by the local expertise extended by e& (www.etisalat.ae). This enables OEMs to deploy compliant IoT services, as well as offering customers assurance that their services will run seamlessly. It will also allow drivers to take advantage of fully integrated in-car services such as popular music streaming apps and personalised infotainment, and for the vehicle manufacturer to have access to telematics services and over-the-air software updates.

Vodafone (www.vodafone.com) provides mobile and fixed services to over 330 million customers in 15 countries. Details of Mercedes-Benz in the UAE can be found at www.mercedes-benz-mena.com/dubai.