When people start to burn 5G signal towers in fear, this approach seems a bit misleading. However, if you happen to be the owner of a connected car, you may want enough cars to be removed to delay those low-latency spires to become the default broadcast network.
Although you may know that the 3G cellular network will be shut down in the United States next year, so the telecommunications industry can focus on 5G, you may not know that this may completely cancel the connection function inside the car. Unfortunately, the large number of cars produced in the early days of phone pairing and Internet integration will not be able to enter 5G like a new phone or tablet you buy. To make matters worse, even some modern vehicles are about to become less abundant because the company has no intention of providing updates.
This problem is basically the same as the one that will affect some mobile phones. Older vehicles did not consider 5G when they were manufactured because it does not exist. But even after the emergence of 3G, many companies still insist on using 3G, because most manufacturers are more willing to reduce component prices as much as possible to reduce overhead. The Federal Communications Commission is also not interested in using 3G bandwidth only for car manufacturers (which does not have a good relationship with car manufacturers anyway) because it can be redistributed to serve new technologies.
Although knowing the transition to 5G, your author assumes that most vehicles will be updated and set up for 4G (this should exist for a while). It is true, but not everyone is like this. According to Rob Stumpf of The Drive, many cars are likely to lose navigation/traffic data, emergency call services, remote locking/unlocking, smartphone connections, voice control, WiFi hotspot functions, telematics data and other items. 3G is finally black.
But the consequences are not limited to having a car with a brick connection function. Stumpf is also concerned that this change highlights the limitations of digital services that automakers plan to lock in subscription fees and wireless updates.
The end of 3G may be the least-reported and potentially most influential story in the industry, involving millions of cars from almost all major automakers. At the same time, the response of car companies has been uneven at best-as we will explain here, car manufacturers’ plans range from upgrading people’s cars to 4G or 5G (for a fee, of course) to shrugging shoulders. Quietly admit that their car is about to lose many functions.
In many ways, this is also a preview of the life issues that we will face in the future fully connected cars, which are loaded with subscription functions. The continuous function of these functions depends on whether your car can communicate with a central server controlled by the company, and Rely on network technology that will not exist forever. The decision to make cars part of the Internet of Things has undeniable benefits, but we are only just beginning to understand the countless consequences. Changes are coming, but not always so good.
I have been very disappointed with the general premise of connectivity, data collection and "mobility", and part of me hopes this will become an important wake-up call for consumers. My dream involves a free and open Internet, vehicles that are completely disconnected from it, and car companies that focus on providing performance and comfort—not the most intrusive users they can create with the help of Amazon interface. But the rest of the world may want the car to synchronize with the phone and integrate all the smart home devices that talk to you, making the upcoming radio frequency scanning a big deal.
However, there are some Y2K paranoias here. Although some vehicles will undoubtedly become awkward due to the abandonment of 3G-because of the lack of better terminology-we don't know the full scope of the problem. Many automakers are willing to provide wireless updates to keep the connection witty, and even some automakers can let customers in to update the hardware. But not all models are eligible. You must check with your dealer to see if your ride (maybe from the 2010-2021 model year) will get the help you need.
Drive provides an incomplete list of affected models, which is only slightly shorter than the average Tolstoy novel. It's worth seeing. But you may want to contact your dealer to save some time, especially if it happens to belong to one of the unlisted brands. Sadly, many manufacturers only provide services to upgrade to 4G through subscription fees:
My friend, this plan depends entirely on the car manufacturer. For example, Stellattis stated that it plans to continue to provide connectivity services to its customers at a certain price. Vehicles that can be updated to 4G can choose to purchase a subscription that includes the necessary hardware and 2GB data at a monthly price of 9.99 US dollars, or purchase unlimited data at a monthly price of 29.99 US dollars. According to a service announcement submitted to NHTSA, Subaru is making modifications for free, but only if the customer currently has a plan for connected cars. It is not clear what this means for future car owners who want to purchase connected services later in the vehicle's life. General Motors began rolling out free wireless updates in October to keep OnStar running after 3G, although some 2015 models require hardware replacement. At the same time, Tesla stated that it plans to charge $200 to upgrade the old Model S cars, but did not notice that continued use will incur additional costs.
Some automakers, such as Toyota and Lexus, do not plan to modify any affected vehicles. In the public FAQ on the subject, Toyota cited a clause in its disclosure stating that certain connected services may be changed at any time without notice. When The Drive asked whether Toyota plans to provide upgrades, payment, or other methods for consumers who own the affected vehicles, the answer was simply "no."
Obviously, automakers have realized that this is another item they can charge for. However, it is not in their best interest to continue to support technologies that would be considered obsolete when the phone comes out. No matter what they claim, automakers are not technology companies, and they are usually one or two generations behind when it comes to electronics. 4G will one day be abandoned, which may create a larger version of the problem we are currently facing. Perhaps this is something worth considering when you buy your next car or are excited about new connectivity features that are considered "standard equipment." Although the real problem is how the vast majority of functions that the car is equipped with do not require a 5G connection.
Okay, so you might be wondering how long it will take you to deal with this problem, and I hope I have better news for you. All major telecommunications providers (AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile/Sprint) plan to end 3G by the end of 2022. This gives you a few months to organize your affairs, otherwise it is possible to return to the unconnected life of the car and return to a mechanical vehicle that you can enjoy in relative isolation.
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According to the information I got from some of my electric car friends, BMW i3 owners will be particularly struggling with this. Presumably, BMW did not take any measures to provide patches for any missing features.
Franz, ven ze G3 ze i3 will become ze brick next year! Should I publish and update the software?
Nein, Wolfgang. Ve vant dem schtupid schnitzel is driving a go-karting on the road. The verse of the ze brand is zat, a piece of rubbish 318ti. And zat's zaying zomezing.
I am shocked by the newness of most of the cars on this list. I hope my 19 Hyundai is not affected, but its design is older than this.
As for subscriptions-if 3G is turned off by the service provider, subscriptions will not magically bring 3G to your car, so I don't understand why the manufacturer even mentions it.
It sounds like automakers may be willing to install 4G modems, but they want to obtain a certain source of income guarantee to make it worth the money. IE, they won’t install a 4G modem on a car you might sell as scrap, just because you want it.
My 2013 Cooper S 6/MT is not affected. Long live the Luddites!
The only thing the car needs to connect to is the driver.
"In many ways, this is also a preview of the life issues we will face in the future fully connected cars."
Do you know those dystopian novels where newer and more complicated things don't work but old vehicles can still be found?
The old-school Detroit diesel car...my old Fury...
Chryler slant Sixes, Ford 300 Sixes and GM 3800's will inherit the earth.
I actually thought about it, and then deliberately specified that my last two new cars do not rely on cellular radio. Obviously, this will become harder and harder over time.
If automakers really intend to make money through their in-app purchase version, they will have to find a way to solve this problem. The same applies to processing and storage.
You should get rid of your vehicle in a few years and update it like an iPhone. It is planned to be scrapped, and the oil dipstick, timing belt connected to the water pump, CVT, and other no-maintenance items that will shorten the service life of the vehicle are cancelled at the same time.
I guess there is no used car market?
It depends on the arrival of new products for remarketing. If they really cannot last for a long time, then this market will shrink.
Of the vehicles we currently have, only one has any type of connection-and its cable has been cut.
I like my Lexus, but the 3G problem is one reason I sold it to Car* (they bought it at an ridiculously high price, and it seems difficult to resell it now.)
Remember when GM's old Onstar stopped working? This is not a new issue.
"Remember when GM's old Onstar stopped working?"
There is no problem with my old 2018 Fusion. The navigation can still work without a connection, even if it is not connected, I can integrate my Pixel3 into my car via a USB cable at any time. Using the new EV will be more complicated, but I still don't understand why you can't connect via your mobile phone.
Yes, my 2016 Highlander will lose data connection. I didn’t actually use it, but it meant that I would no longer have the option to subscribe to Toyota Safety Connect (ie, roadside assistance, automatic emergency calls for collisions, etc.)
You can connect to Toyota using your mobile phone. Just add the contact to your contact list.
Are you saying that my 2019 Highlander will no longer be able to send driving data to Toyota? I'm very lucky! ! !
No, it will send data to Toyota via your phone after you connect your phone to Toyota via Bluetooth.
Good joke. But I want you to know that this phone is called a "handheld device" for a specific reason.
You can hold it in your hand if you want, but this is illegal in California.
"You mean my 2019 Highlander will no longer be able to send driving data to Toyota? I'm very lucky!!!"
A large number of doorbell cameras and web cameras are willing to make up for this shortcoming. Your political commissar will still know what you are doing.
I think there will be drones patrolling the streets and highways.
"I think there will be drones patrolling the streets and highways."
It is better to use a fixed local network. Although, drones and driving recorders are good supplements.
The camera is fine, but the drone can launch missiles to eliminate domestic terrorists.
"Your political commissar will still know what you are doing."
May be related: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/12/09/how-the-aws-outage-wreaked-havoc-across-the-us.html
[Although the benevolent American car dealers work tirelessly to adopt kittens, the evil Amazon tries to starve them. ]
So you mean, there is a new kind of vehicle that can safely avoid the prying eyes of hive thinking? Glad to know. Personally, I am very happy to let my Cruze stop yelling at me about OnStar regularly.
Oh, it will keep shouting. Even if you want to subscribe, you cannot subscribe.
When every driver carries a relatively modern cellular modem with them while driving, it makes no sense to install a cellular modem in the car.
They should not allow mobile companies to tear down the 3G network there. As a person in China, we cannot even get 4G here, let alone 5G. I'm sure that if Verizon and AT&T allow 3G to be cancelled, some elected officials will get considerable contributions. As always, customers suffer
…I have been very disappointed with the general premise of connectivity, data collection, and “mobility”, and part of me hopes that this will become an important wake-up call for consumers. My dream involves a free and open Internet, vehicles that are completely disconnected from it, and car companies that focus on providing performance and comfort—not the most intrusive users they can create with the help of Amazon interface……
Generally speaking, I seem to have little in common with Matt, but this statement is correct. Since my latest vehicle is 2014, these are not important to me. I don't subscribe to OnStar, and the OnStar in my wife's car is outdated. It uses an antenna glued to the glass... the fewer connections-I mean spying-the better in the car.
One of the reasons why the street price of Hellcat in 2017 will be around $9,000 in the near future
Five reasons not to buy Toyota or continue to visit this website. If the goal is to reduce traffic, you are doing well.
Regarding this issue, I have been aware of it for a while, because we have 2013 C-Max Energi. Please note that these cars were originally equipped with 2G modems and Ford upgraded them. However, at this point, I seem to be out of luck. There is indeed a customer satisfaction program where they will install and program the 4g modem you must buy. But it only applies to C-Max vehicles produced after April 2014. Since no one thought that you could charge a monthly fee at the time, it should be good for the car's lifting, because it allows charging and driving time to be set. Unfortunately, it seems to be free during the 3G life cycle.
From the booklet I read elsewhere, it was pointed out that 2020 Fusion Energi can be used free of charge for 3 years, then 2 years, and finally 1 year.
Please note that this is not the first time this has happened. The earliest Energi vehicles were equipped with 2G modems, and Ford did replace them with 3G modems for free.
Fortunately, the driving time can be set directly in the car, because this is a feature we often use in cold months to allow the car to be preheated by shore power to minimize the heating of the cabin from the beginning Impact.
There is a provision in the Infrastructure Act to remotely control all car anti-theft devices. This is nothing to see.
I can't walk anymore—my files are in a mess. :-(
Just say: "These are not the robots you are looking for" a few times.
You can use the phone or the car-the choice is yours. I thought all amateurs got this from their system. I did this when the phone weighed three pounds and said "Motorola" next to it. I don't have a car that can be "connected". Both have navigation, but it is a CD or program update, and I don't need to change it. Or maybe I'm too stupid to know?
If the current technology is so good, why is the audio quality of the phone worse than ever?
[When our current vice president is exactly half of our current president. ]
Vehicles are increasingly interconnected, and basic functions such as braking, starting and stopping the engine, climate control, and many other more mechanically and less interconnected functions have also been interconnected. I suspect that even if there is a shortage of chips, this trend will slow down.
Most current model cars seem to be able to connect to mobile phones well. Doesn't this solve the problem? Just use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, and you can have all the fancy features without the need for updates from the manufacturer.
What we lose in the car is the ability to start, lock, unlock, locate, check the fuel level, check the battery charge status, set the driving time, and other functions through a mobile phone or computer.
You can’t replace these functions with your phone, and even if you connect your phone to the car to connect, it still won’t bring you any benefit, because if the phone is not in the car, it won’t work.
BMW said it will eventually cancel the key and key fob, and you need to synchronize your smartphone or I Phone to unlock, start and control your vehicle. What if someone hacks your phone?
Therefore, the battery on your poor iPhone is dead, which is very common, and you are locked out of the car.
@Bill Wade: "Usually", if your phone runs out of power, they will provide your wallet with an NFC card. Who knows if BMW will do this, but this is the normal way these systems are implemented.
@Jeff S: If someone hacks your phone and steals your BMW, it becomes their problem. Just make sure you don’t leave any identification information in the case, in case a thief tries to find you to return the car. They stole it. They have problems now.
We do these things because we can and everyone likes the latest technology. Why would we consider customers buying things that they cannot use in 3 to 5 years? We have already got their money. /second
To be honest, some products currently produced do not have much "forward thinking"-this is just an example. Just because we can does not mean we should. Many people here have expressed this view on other design options and functions. If no one buys these types of things, maybe the people who make them will stop—perhaps not. We are really obsessed with magical technology "magic".
Well, you have to consider that most B&Bs are the main future customers of Consumer Cellular. Most people have a semi-Luddish attitude towards mobile phones and anything else with a "technical" taste. It doesn't matter, your phone can let "men" find you easily. You can also be tracked every time you swipe your debit card.
3G is being replaced by 5G, cope with it. This is where it gets its technology. The 3G modem is inside your vehicle. This is not a phone, but a modem.
I have a 09 Lexus. My navigation system, yes, they can also track you this way, ridiculously out of date. Toyota/Lexus technology is generally terrible. My only problem is to purchase and install an updated navigation DVD or continue to use Waze/Google Maps. If I need to upgrade my modem to 5G, it's the same.
Keep up with the usual quality of submissions on this site; none of the editors thought of contacting Crutchfield or other aftermarket car audio companies. If this is a real problem, Crutchfield or someone like them will come up with a solution.
"My navigation system, yes, they can also track you this way. It's ridiculously outdated. Toyota/Lexus technology in general is terrible. My only problem is to buy and install an updated navigation DVD or continue. Use Waze/Google Maps. If I need to upgrade my modem to 5G, it’s the same."
I want to know if the map is still valid? :D
No, they cannot track you through the 2009 GPS on your vehicle. GPS does not work like this, it is a receiving-only system, and the satellite does not know where you are. You should really understand the working principle of the gps receiver, and the antenna uses the satellites in orbit to obtain the ground position according to the programmed coordinates. Just like I heard that the XM Sirius radio can track you, put on that tin foil cap.
@mcs-If someone invades your vehicle and controls it while you are driving, it will also become a problem for you. It may kill someone and make it look like an accident has occurred, which is something that many people worry about when they rely more on technology than driving skills. I want to have some control over my vehicle, especially because many new vehicles can be hacked.
Since the U-Connect hack, they have separated the control system from the Internet-oriented things very well. I would be more concerned about the dongle made in a place where God knows that your insurance company gives you a discount, in exchange for plugging it into the bus where the control system is located.
But I have to save that $50, so it's worth giving all my actions to the cloud.
Our Pacifica has a wifi hotspot, which is 4G LTE. This is good because it is much more reliable than binding the phone when my wife is working on the road. It also allows children to use non-cellular tablets to play movies or anything else, keeping them entertained on the long road through Kansas.
Having said that, I believe that it will send all kinds of data back to the motherland regardless of whether we subscribe or not.
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