AT&T brings 5G connectivity to Rivian R2

[Mos Eisley]

AT&T Brings 5G Connectivity to Rivian’s R2, Expanding the Next Generation of Connected Vehicles

June 03, 2026

AT&T 5G will power seamless software updates, enhanced infotainment, and always-on connectivity in Rivian’s R2

AT&T 5G will power seamless software updates, enhanced infotainment, and always-on connectivity in Rivian’s R2

Press Release:

Key Takeaways:

• AT&T continues to be the connectivity provider for all Rivian vehicles, including the R2, in the U.S. and Canada, supporting a more responsive, software-driven driving experience
• High-speed connectivity helps enable faster over-the-air updates and improved in-vehicle entertainment and services
• Builds on AT&T and Rivian’s established relationship to deliver connected experiences across Rivian vehicles

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. This includes seamless over-the-air software updates, enhanced infotainment, and real-time services designed to improve performance and personalization over time. The result is 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 U.S. and Canada, supporting connected experiences across its lineup. That foundation continues with the R2, extending advanced connectivity to Rivian’s next generation platform.

“Connectivity is increasingly central to how vehicles are designed, delivered, and improved,” said Matt Harden, vice president, Connected Solutions, AT&T. “Our ongoing relationship with Rivian is built around that shift, and with 5G in the R2, we’re helping create a platform for continuous innovation across the vehicle lifecycle.”

“Every Rivian leaves the factory as an intelligent, connected, and capable machine, but the technology journey doesn’t stop there,” said Rivian Vice President of Business Development Tom Solomon. “With 5G connectivity powered by AT&T, R2 owners will get a vehicle that can access powerful apps like navigation and streaming services, answer complex questions via the AI-powered Rivian Assistant, and improve continuously through over-the-air software updates.”

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. Its work with Rivian reflects a broader effort to help enable more connected, intelligent vehicles with experiences that extend beyond the drive.

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[morph860]

Can Rivians do software updates over WiFi as well?

If you live in an area where AT&T doesn't get good service, is there a way to tether another carrier from your phone?

 

[godfodder0901]

Can Rivians do software updates over WiFi as well?

If you live in an area where AT&T doesn't get good service, is there a way to tether another carrier from your phone?

Yes, it has Wi-Fi and can tether to your hotspot. At least this is true of R1, and should absolutely hold true for R2.

 

[VSG]

Can Rivians do software updates over WiFi as well?

Yes. That's actually the way it's done by default.

If you live in an area where AT&T doesn't get good service, is there a way to tether another carrier from your phone?

Yes, you can connect the car to your phone's Wifi hotspot.

 

[morph860]

Great news. AT&T cell service is way overloaded in my area. It always shows a full signal but nothing loads. My parents have a Model Y and they were visiting us a few weeks ago. Tesla must use AT&T service as well because everything was buffering.

 

[SANZC02]

Great news. AT&T cell service is way overloaded in my area. It always shows a full signal but nothing loads. My parents have a Model Y and they were visiting us a few weeks ago. Tesla must use AT&T service as well because everything was buffering.

Tesla does use AT&T.

 

[Gen(R3)Xer]

Great news. AT&T cell service is way overloaded in my area. It always shows a full signal but nothing loads. My parents have a Model Y and they were visiting us a few weeks ago. Tesla must use AT&T service as well because everything was buffering.

Rumor has it that Tesla is contemplating ditching AT&T and going with Starlink, if they can manage to shrink it even more than the Starlink Mini and incorporate it into the car.

 

[Ralph]

I'm not entirely sure how Rivian's contract with AT&T works. But multiple times I've been in places where I did not have service on my iPhone (ATT), but the R1T worked well if not great.

Perhaps to a create a full network ATT leases bandwidth where they don't have their own network?

Anyone else have this experience?

 

[Mos Eisley]

I'm not entirely sure how Rivian's contract with AT&T works. But multiple times I've been in places where I did not have service on my iPhone (ATT), but the R1T worked well if not great.

Perhaps to a create a full network ATT leases bandwidth where they don't have their own network?

Anyone else have this experience?

A car's dedicated modem and antenna are substantially more powerful than a phone's. Last I knew, a phone's bars only show your carrier's strength - but your phone can still roam other service's towers/networks. Dunno if cars contract for roaming differently?

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Can Rivians do software updates over WiFi as well?

If you live in an area where AT&T doesn't get good service, is there a way to tether another carrier from your phone?

Yah, it's preferred; i.e. once flagged for update it checks to see if vehicle is currently connected to a known WiFi network. If it is, download commences. If not, eventually it will download through its own on-board connection, be it 5G (for R2) or LTE (all R1s to-date, until production shifts to 5G).

If AT&T coverage is not good in your area, you can use a personal hotspot (which may be your phone, or one of those travel routers) that is on a different network (T-Mobile, Verizon, etc.), then connect the Rivian to that.

 

[SANZC02]

I'm not entirely sure how Rivian's contract with AT&T works. But multiple times I've been in places where I did not have service on my iPhone (ATT), but the R1T worked well if not great.

Perhaps to a create a full network ATT leases bandwidth where they don't have their own network?

Anyone else have this experience?

It is the extra power from the cars antenna and receiver. There are places in Yellowstone where the car will get some reception and a hand held phone will not.

 

[Armeniandave]

For gods sake don't update the software away from home if you can help it! If it goes wrong for some reason, it's one thing to be in your driveway and an entirely another thing to be far away.

 

[azbill]

Tesla does use AT&T.

All the major car makers use AT&T, otherwise they would be out of business, their service sucks. GM upgraded their AT&T service from 4G to 5G in 2024, not sure why this is newsworthy.

 

[Dark-Fx]

Rumor has it that Tesla is contemplating ditching AT&T and going with Starlink, if they can manage to shrink it even more than the Starlink Mini and incorporate it into the car.

Last year I experimented with the satellite messaging that my android supports. It was an awful experience. Way more difficult than just sending messages on my Garmin sat messenger. Would probably still hesitate to try to use it in a real emergency.

Would be interesting to have a better cellular based service.

 

[1stPlace]

Rumor has it that Tesla is contemplating ditching AT&T and going with Starlink, if they can manage to shrink it even more than the Starlink Mini and incorporate it into the car.

I've been experimenting with a mounted Starlink mini in my R1S last couple months. Kinda doesn't work when the car is under a roof or anything sooo.... good luck with that.

Frankly, Rivian should have made the switch at least a year ago. I'm mildly concerned they won't offer a retrofit when the 4G LTE in my Rivian goes the way of 3G in 5 years and is no longer supported.

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