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      02-23-2017, 10:21 PM   #1
haldol
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Vehicle Wi-Fi ?

«Vehicle Wi-Fi» : What is that for ?

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      02-23-2017, 10:40 PM   #2
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Manual perhaps?
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      02-24-2017, 12:57 AM   #3
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I don't think that shows up in the older version of the idrive so not many have information regarding that unless they own a 2017.
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      02-24-2017, 03:09 AM   #4
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I have that as well. I also see the WIFI while in car. Don't have the password to connect though and seems there's no way to change it.
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      02-24-2017, 09:31 AM   #5
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You can change the password. It is a paid hotspot service.
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      02-24-2017, 09:35 AM   #6
haldol
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Quote:
Originally Posted by haldol View Post
«Vehicle Wi-Fi» : What is that for ?

Not even the "tech genius" at dealership don't know exactly...

Last edited by haldol; 02-24-2017 at 10:47 PM..
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      02-24-2017, 09:42 AM   #7
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There are two types of wifi.
One is for ad-hoc LAN networks and wireless connections between devices and vehicle.
A second is WAN service.
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      02-24-2017, 07:15 PM   #8
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The WAN service is a paid one with a subscription to a telecomms company, enabling devices to use the built in SIM to access the internet via WiFI from within the car.

In UK spec cars, if you choose enhanced bluetooth, you kinda have to get WiFI hostpot with it, so got it on mine, but after seeing the monthly subscription required to use it, I doubt it's worth it, not when every phone comes with a data plan anyway.

Probably worth it if you have iPads for the kids in the car and go on long journeys frequently.
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      02-24-2017, 09:56 PM   #9
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It is worth it for long trips and rural areas. I had it in my Q7 and you could have up to eight devices on the network but it was 3G so it was a bit sluggish for NFLX and related sites but for the in-car apps that utilized the connection it was phenomenal. Even just for the google maps overlay and multiple traffic information feeds. Insanely quick updates of traffic events, delays, etc. Not sure if the BMW does this since the TMC and Connected services are off of a different network but if somehow they're connected and it improves traffic data i would recommend getting it just for that alone.
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      02-24-2017, 11:35 PM   #10
haldol
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Thawke View Post
The WAN service is a paid one with a subscription to a telecomms company, enabling devices to use the built in SIM to access the internet via WiFI from within the car.

In UK spec cars, if you choose enhanced bluetooth, you kinda have to get WiFI hostpot with it, so got it on mine, but after seeing the monthly subscription required to use it, I doubt it's worth it, not when every phone comes with a data plan anyway.

Probably worth it if you have iPads for the kids in the car and go on long journeys frequently.
Internet hotspot: 3GB/month for 3 months free in Canada on LTE network.

Still don't know the utility of «Vehicle Wi-Fi». Carplay working when uncheck that.
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      02-25-2017, 08:31 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by haldol View Post
Internet hotspot: 3GB/month for 3 months free in Canada on LTE network.

Still don't know the utility of «Vehicle Wi-Fi». Carplay working when uncheck that.
My understanding was that it was to share the paid WAN internet access within the car.
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      02-25-2017, 09:06 AM   #12
haldol
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Raspartan View Post
My understanding was that it was to share the paid WAN internet access within the car.
So the car won't use our cellular network?
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      02-25-2017, 09:18 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by haldol View Post
So the car won't use our cellular network?
When I took a test drive last weekend the sales guy told me it used a SIM card in the car to establish the internet connection. There is an ongoing cost if you want to keep the service beyond the "free" period (don't remember how long that was). I doubt it provides a connection using your phone.

I found this on the BMW USA site if it helps (BMW WiFi Hotspot):

"The equipment includes a built-in BMW WiFi hotspot using the LTE standard, which allows for a paid internet connection. Passengers can then go online with all suitable devices, work on emails, stream music and videos, and much more. The hotspot ensures that there are no obstacles to enjoying a fascinating mobi- le internet experience with the maximum LTE standard while on the move. This function is compatible with a huge array of devices, such as BMW Touch Command, laptops, tablets and mobile phones from various manufacturers. Up to ten devices can be connected to the BMW WiFi hotspot at the same time. The vehicle is connected via the built-in SIM card with a fee-based hotspot plan HotSpot Drive from Deutsche Telekom AG. If no LTE network is available, the system automatically switches to other available standards. Since the service is connected to the external aerial, exposure to radiation in the interior of the car is very low."
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      02-25-2017, 12:30 PM   #14
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it is a separate service from your phone with it's own sim card. people over on the audi forums found a way to hack it with pre-paid sim cards... it worked out to like $5/per month after the "hack", i have to imagine it can be done on a bmw after someone does some digging and research.
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      06-01-2018, 08:36 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by iconoclast View Post
it is a separate service from your phone with it's own sim card. people over on the audi forums found a way to hack it with pre-paid sim cards... it worked out to like $5/per month after the "hack", i have to imagine it can be done on a bmw after someone does some digging and research.
Vehicle WIFI and Hotspot are separate. While the Hotspot option requires vehicle WiFi, WiFi exists in the menu even if the car isn't equipped with the hotspot. The cars have WiFi natively, so that Apple CarPlay will work, since the data transfer in CarPlay utilizes WiFi. But, unchecking Vehicle WiFi if you don't have the hotspot option will have no effect on CarPlay functionality.
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      06-01-2018, 02:11 PM   #16
Jenya B
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In N.America its free for 3 months and after you have to pay , i'am on 15CAD per gig per month plan , AT&T provider for USA and Canada . LTE speeds .
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      06-01-2018, 02:16 PM   #17
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