The Core

Why We Are Here => Hardware & Technology => Topic started by: rcjordan on August 28, 2023, 06:17:16 PM

Title: App-only vehicle features may have problems in rural areas.
Post by: rcjordan on August 28, 2023, 06:17:16 PM
Remote Start works in town but not at the house.  I'm guessing that this is because Volvos use a cellular modem (sim card -probably AT&T) and signal reception is poor or non-existent.  Verizon is the only cell that works consistently at the house, which is only 7 miles south of town.   Basic security features such as locking are also activated by the key fob but convenience items are only on the app.  So any brand or model that has a modem and features that require an app may have connection issues.
(I think I can connect the Volvo as a device to the house's modem.)

So if you have your heart set on firing up heated seats from your cabin in Wyoming, you may want to check it out beforehand.

Title: Re: App-only vehicle features may have problems in rural areas.
Post by: ergophobe on August 28, 2023, 07:59:21 PM
It's not enough to have cell service, you need to have service from a carrier the car uses.

Hyundai is on Verizon, so we can actually use those features when in range of our booster (The driveway is within range).

Ford seems to use ATT, which would be useless in most of this region.

https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2016/01/05/att-4g-lte-to-power-ford-sync-connect.html

As near as I can tell, Onstar uses both.
Title: Re: App-only vehicle features may have problems in rural areas.
Post by: rcjordan on August 28, 2023, 09:20:34 PM
I'm not sure whose sim card they're using but there is a port in the spare tire well to add your own sim  ...not that I'm interested enough to do that.

Whoever it is, she can connect in town using her Verizon phone.

+

Volvo links to the AT&T plan pricing page to upgrade or extend the data plan.