On January 4, just before the 2026 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2026), Quectel Communications, a global leader in IoT and V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) solutions, announced the launch of its automotive-grade 5G-A module AR588MA, compliant with the 3GPP R18 standard.
This series of 5G modules is built on MediaTek’s world’s first 5G-A platform, MT2739, achieving four core breakthroughs: comprehensive signal coverage, high-speed data transmission, AI-based intelligent network adaptation, and automotive-grade safety assurance. These features strongly support the innovative development of the next-generation intelligent connected vehicles. Currently, the module is offering engineering samples externally, and several leading automotive companies have already initiated the implementation of the AR588MA series.
“Ground + Satellite” Full Coverage, More Reliable High-Speed Transmission
As an automotive-grade module based on MediaTek’s first 5G-A platform, the Quectel AR588MA series modules feature leading modem performance in the industry. It includes a built-in quad-core Cortex-A55 CPU with a clock speed of up to 2.3GHz, enhanced upstream transmission capabilities, and ultra-low latency, supporting a bandwidth of 400 MHz and NR 5CC, with downstream speeds reaching up to 9.0 Gbps and upstream speeds exceeding 2.5 Gbps. It also supports DSDA (Dual SIM Dual Active) functionality, enabling more efficient and stable data transmission and real-time processing while maintaining stable network connections, thereby laying a solid communication foundation for the safety and reliability of advanced driver-assistance systems.
At the same time, Quectel AR588MA has achieved significant breakthroughs in comprehensive communication capabilities. It not only supports 5G-A technology but also integrates satellite communication functions. Combined with enhanced low-frequency reception performance and adaptive network signal compensation algorithms, it significantly improves network performance while ensuring full-scenario communication coverage. Even in weak signal areas like basements and remote mountain regions, vehicles can maintain stable connectivity, effectively addressing the pain points of ground network coverage blind spots and ensuring communication continuity in complex environments.
In terms of wireless performance optimization, the AR588MA is compatible with a six-port antenna design, deeply adapting to Quectel’s high-performance intelligent antenna solutions, thus achieving deep integration of module and antenna performance, providing users with wide coverage and strong signal wireless network performance.
AI Intelligent Adaptation, Smoother Network Experience
During this critical period of advancement in intelligent connected vehicles, users have raised higher demands for the smoothness of in-vehicle network experiences.
One of AR588MA’s core competitive advantages lies in its deep integration of AI technology with in-vehicle communication, achieving an upgrade from “passive connectivity” to “active adaptation.” The module features an intelligent driving scene recognition system and an AI network optimization engine, with processing capacities of 25K DMIPS for quad-core and 13K DMIPS for dual-core. It can real-time integrate multidimensional data, including vehicle positioning, speed, and road conditions, automatically matching optimal network modes, significantly enhancing network speed and connection stability, and providing users with a smoother in-vehicle network experience.
Automotive-Grade Core Quality, Dual Assurance of Safety and Reliability
The reliability of automotive products is directly related to driving safety. The Quectel AR588MA strictly adheres to automotive-grade design standards and safety systems, fulfilling AEC-Q100 Grade 2 automotive specifications to ensure product reliability and durability in extreme environments. Additionally, it complies with ISO 21434 automotive cybersecurity management standards and supports Secure Boot and RoT (Root of Trust), combined with Hypervisor hardware isolation technology to provide a more stable connectivity experience and more reliable safety assurances for in-vehicle communication.
On the functional side, the AR588MA fully supports eCall/NG-eCall emergency calling systems, which can automatically trigger a call and transmit critical data such as vehicle location and accident type to emergency centers in the event of a collision or other emergencies, buying precious time for rescue operations. To further enhance vehicle positioning reliability, this module also integrates GNSS positioning capabilities, supporting dual-frequency positioning with L1 and L5, outputting at a frequency of up to 30Hz, providing precise location support for path planning and lane-level navigation for assisted driving.
Compatible Design for Easy Upgrades, Accelerating 5G-A Implementation in Vehicles
To reduce customer development costs and shorten product launch cycles, the AR588MA employs a highly compatible design approach at both hardware and software levels.
On the hardware front, it is pin-to-pin compatible with Quectel automotive 5G modules AG581A, AG56xN, and AG519M series, allowing customers to quickly upgrade from traditional 5G to 5G-A. On the software side, it utilizes the QuecOpen architecture, leveraging excellent cross-platform and cross-system compatibility to assist automotive enterprises in seamless system migration, significantly shortening product development and validation cycles.