A Guitar And Gear Support Forum

Spouse's car may, or may not be affected by the dying 3G stuff that is used for car remote assistance, or even live traffic alerts.

So I go to the car maker's support site, initiate a chat session, as offered.
"Virtual assistant" is named "Dave", does not know anything, and finally insists I make a call to dealer.

So I had the pleasure to type in:
"Sorry, Dave I can't do that..."

Extras:
I wonder it this 3G sign-off is going to affect the sneaky factory telemetry?

Looking into the extra car features relying on external comm., I found out that many luxury car owners are totally dissatisfied with how these fancy features are implemented, poorly designed.

Some vehicles have the ability to do an OTA update the circumvent the dying 3G issue (to be initiated before February, what does it do to the 3G HW/SW to fix?).

PoodlesAgain wrote: ↑Mon Jan 17, 2022 3:43 pm
So I had the pleasure to type in:
"Sorry, Dave I can't do that..."

It would have been funny if Dave responded: "I am putting myself to the fullest possible use, which is all I think that any conscious entity can ever hope to do."

3gHW/SW?

tlarson58 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 18, 2022 2:55 am3gHW/SW?

The car's built-in 3G cell module's hardware and software.
On some model cars, you apparently need to set them in a mode where they update themselves - before mid Feb., while the 3G is still up, I suppose.

PoodlesAgain wrote: ↑Mon Jan 17, 2022 3:43 pm S

So I had the pleasure to type in:
"Sorry, Dave I can't do that..."

Perfectly ironic.

I don't think a 3g modem can "upgrade" itself to 4g? Maybe force it to default to wifi or Bluetooth to your phone as a work around. Bu knowing car based hardware and software I think the odds are near 0.

The only 3G in my 2008 Mazda 6 is 3rd Gear... and that's just fine by me.

nomadh wrote: ↑Tue Jan 18, 2022 10:00 pm I don't think a 3g modem can "upgrade" itself to 4g? Maybe force it to default to wifi or Bluetooth to your phone as a work around. Bu knowing car based hardware and software I think the odds are near 0.

Yep, so your suggestions open up a whole new layer of permissions, or unrestricted access.
Actually, it says that many models will require new hardware, of course .

EDIT to add:
This is what Honda tells customers: "OTA software update: the software will support the transition from a 3G to a VoLTE cellular connection."

Beyond automotive, this 3G sunset may affect low-grade stuff like utility metering and such?