[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by Wires

If you really want to find out, go to your dealer and have them run your VIN. Heck, call the connected services number and ask them. They won't be able to renew if the hardware doesn't support the service.

There was a thread a year ago when this got announced that and if I remember correctly, you received a letter stating the EOL for connected services for your car if you were a subscriber.

You might have to go past being an arm-chair quarterback on this one if you're not going to believe what anyone else is telling you.....

You are thinking about the end of 2G Service thread.

If you think the BMW CSR reps who are simply a call center know the difference between 3G, 4G or 5G....besides they are a number followed by a G, then you haven't spoken with anyone at the call center.

The service can be renewed until 12/31/2021 obviously, so that will not tell you anything.

In fact, in the 2G thread you will find people were subscribed past the turnoff date. Again, showing how clueless the CSR are.

[bimmer456]

Wasn't sure if I had 3G or 4G. Thought it was 3G on my 2016 340. Good to know.

[wilbur_the_goose]

I have a '14 E30. Definitely has 3G running with NBT. Slow as molasses.

[LongRuf]

Originally Posted by wilbur_the_goose

I have a '14 E30. Definitely has 3G running with NBT. Slow as molasses.

'15 with a 3/15 build and also have 3G with NBT

[ImBlue]

Do you know which service provider is used in Canada(No AT&T here)

Mine is a 2016 11/15 build with navigation (NBT Evo ID4). I do not had an active subscription but it shows 4G in the top right on the BMW Online screen right after I get the access denied message.

Not my image, but shows the screen where I see 4G which will be a good place for others to check 3G vs 4G.

[ooshnoo]

So can a dealer retrofit a 4G connection or not like they did when 2G when out of service?

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by ImBlue

Do you know which service provider is used in Canada(No AT&T here)

Mine is a 2016 11/15 build with navigation (NBT Evo ID4). I do not had an active subscription but it shows 4G in the top right on the BMW Online screen right after I get the access denied message.

Not my image, but shows the screen where I see 4G which will be a good place for others to check 3G vs 4G.
[IMG]https://cdn.bimmerpost.com/forums/at...8;d=1435790090[/IMG]

Isn't that only with NBT EVO units though?

NBT EVO units are known to be 4G capable with the ATM

BMW never did automatic map updates with non-EVO units.

Originally Posted by ooshnoo

So can a dealer retrofit a 4G connection or not like they did when 2G when out of service?

The most recent realoem update has dropped ALL the early TCB part numbers. Normally the are listed but show discontinued and exchangeable or non-exchangeable.

I have used the VIN for a 2013 and 2014 F30 and the part shown is the newer 4G Description Units.

It does not note any exchange issues.

While realoem is known to have a few mistakes, it appears that the newer units can be retrofitted at a Dealer.

Caveat - this is only an assumption based on the changes to the latest realoem version (3/2019) on these parts from previous versions on this part. Not an official confirmation from a BMW Dealer or source.

[Enabled]

I often supplement realoem with http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog when part numbers are unsure.

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by ImBlue

Do you know which service provider is used in Canada(No AT&T here)

According to members posting in the Canada Region forum, BMW uses Rogers 2G/3G in Canada.

According to documents on the web, 12/31/2025 is the anticipated Rogers 3G Sunset date.

https://www.multitech.com/documents/...-20_Update.pdf

Apparently Rogers Extended it's 2G Sunset until 12/31/2020. Obviously, that has been essentially dead to USA BMW ConnectedDrive users since the end of 2016.

https://mobilesyrup.com/2018/05/04/r...december-2020/

[ImBlue]

Originally Posted by IK6SPEED

According to members posting in the Canada Region forum, BMW uses Rogers 2G/3G in Canada.

According to documents on the web, 12/31/2025 is the anticipated Rogers 3G Sunset date.

https://www.multitech.com/documents/...-20_Update.pdf

Apparently Rogers Extended it’s 2G Sunset until 12/21/2020. Obviously, that has been essentially dead to USA BMW ConnectedDrive users since the end of 2016.

https://mobilesyrup.com/2018/05/04/r...december-2020/

This is good information. Thanks for investigating

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by LongRuf

'15 with a 3/15 build and also have 3G with NBT

Thus proving Poochie incorrect in his “safe assumption”.

Clearly all cars build on or after 3/2015 DO NOT have 4G.

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by ooshnoo

So can a dealer retrofit a 4G connection or not like they did when 2G when out of service?

A 4G TCB. Those are the only TCB units shown in realoem any longer.

[Gen13 F36]

I wish BMW could just make the sim card accessible to the owner of the car. I would love to just install my own sim card in there and have hotspot available

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by Gen13 F36

I wish BMW could just make the sim card accessible to the owner of the car. I would love to just install my own sim card in there and have hotspot available

BMW would not have that number to push out info to you, not to mention a security hole.

Furthermore they have turned this into a profit center with ATT (Most likely to keep first 3 years free).

Inserting your own SIM card would not allow you a hotspot either unless you have a WLAN ATM as an OEM factory option as regular ATMs are not a Hotspots.

[wilbur_the_goose]

So where are we at here if we have a 3G car? Is there any way to keep it live after 3G is sunset?

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by wilbur_the_goose

So where are we at here if we have a 3G car? Is there any way to keep it live after 3G is sunset?

Have Dealer Install a TCB unit with 4G in the next 24 months.

No you cannot DIY or have a non-BMW Dealer do it as coding in BMW Network is needed to their Servers.

Depending on where your TCB is located on your model (trunk or antenna under liner) it's a MSRP around $672.94 plus labor.

[bimmer456]

What has verizon done with 2g and 3g, I haven't heard of them shutting it down. It seems that turning off older network technology is happening too soon, some folks are using older phones and the cars should be easily upgradeable, they should have thought about this in designing the infotainment that the modems can be easily upgraded.

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by bimmer456

What has verizon done with 2g and 3g, I haven't heard of them shutting it down. It seems that turning off older network technology is happening too soon, some folks are using older phones and the cars should be easily upgradeable, they should have thought about this in designing the infotainment that the modems can be easily upgraded.

Actually, Verizon will not even activate an older 4G smartphone/device now that doesn't have the newer 4G Advanced Fast technology which came out roughly 2016.

Verizon 2G shutdown is 12/31/2019. 3G CDMA was supposed to shutdown at the same time but has been extended to allow SecureCom alarm modems more time to transition.

Sunset Dates:
https://www.multitech.com/documents/...rriers_PDF.pdf

As for upgradeable, cars are upgradeable just like other devices as mentioned above. Roughly $675 MSRP.

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by IK6SPEED

Actually, Verizon will not even activate an older 4G smartphone/device now that doesn't have the newer 4G Advanced Fast technology which came out roughly 2016.

Verizon 2G shutdown is 12/31/2019. 3G CDMA was supposed to shutdown at the same time but has been extended to allow SecureCom alarm modems more time to transition.

Sunset Dates:
https://www.multitech.com/documents/...rriers_PDF.pdf

As for upgradeable, cars are upgradeable just like other devices as mentioned above. Roughly $675 MSRP.

Verizon is better than ATT. If the 2g cars were on Verizon they would still be working. And they are delaying switch off of 3g because of certain modems just like att should be doing because maybe newer cars use 2g

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by bimmer456

Verizon is better than ATT.

If you examine the Metrics for the last 3 Quarters this year, by repurposing the old 2G Frequencies, ATT has faster speeds than Verizon this year.

Originally Posted by bimmer456

If the 2g cars were on Verizon they would still be working.

Working until 12/31. And every BMW Owner on a 4G TCB or ATM are getting faster speeds on ATT. Besides, BMW Owners that were actually subscribed to the 2G Services were offered a new TCB 4G setup OR $300. Wasn't like they were kicked to the curb.

Originally Posted by bimmer456

And they are delaying switch off of 3g because of certain modems just like att should be doing because maybe newer cars use 2g

No, actually the towers SecureCom uses for 3G are mostly privately owned. The few BMWs (and others) with teleservices pale to the number of alarm systems using wireless. Much bigger subscriber market. Also, very little bandwidth is needed for alarm modems compared to a Connected Drive Service. They probably will repurpose much of the 3G Spectrum as a result.

And ATT did not have the low Spectrum bandwidth they needed anyway.

Plus, newer cars use 4G, not 2G.

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by IK6SPEED

If you examine the Metrics for the last 3 Quarters this year, by repurposing the old 2G Frequencies, ATT has faster speeds than Verizon this year.

Working until 12/31. And every BMW Owner on a 4G TCB or ATM are getting faster speeds on ATT. Besides, BMW Owners that were actually subscribed to the 2G Services were offered a new TCB 4G setup OR $300. Wasn't like they were kicked to the curb.

No, actually the towers SecureCom uses for 3G are mostly privately owned. The few BMWs (and others) with teleservices pale to the number of alarm systems using wireless. Much bigger subscriber market. Also, very little bandwidth is needed for alarm modems compared to a Connected Drive Service. They probably will repurpose much of the 3G Spectrum as a result.

And ATT did not have the low Spectrum bandwidth they needed anyway.

Plus, newer cars use 4G, not 2G.

That was for if you still were in the free period for connected drive. If you had a paid subscription you weren't given the offer to upgrade and had to go aftermarket. I've had ATT and Verizon and found Verizon to be better.

[cjsansom]

Originally Posted by Poochie

Going by just the hard build date of 03/2015, ALL vehicles including the top-of-line 7 series didn't get 4G LTE sim until that date, regardless of its equipment.

I don't know how else to convey this.. :

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=84_0835