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      06-15-2021, 05:37 AM   #23
MsGoGoMoto
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WidowMaker03TX View Post
I got an email today from BMW of NA.

"Due to a phasing out of the 3G network by cellular carriers, ConnectedDrive services can no longer be supported starting February 2022 for your BMW. The decision to phase out 3G network technology was made at the discretion of the respective cellular carriers and lies beyond the control of BMW."
...
"... complimentary Connected Package Professional or BMW Assist Safety Plan subscription will automatically be activated for your BMW until February 1, 2022."

There was no mentioning of converting the 3G to 4/5G.
(2) week 2017 REx owner here.
1st vehicle purchase since ......2003. (My daily driver, an 04 Dodge Dakota 4x4 at 208k needs a rest). For me, cruise control, and express down drivers side windows were luxuries.
Activated connected drive package with RTTI, managed to avoid plenty of traffic mess here in ATL.
I love seeing my charge status, since I do level 1 to full nightly. Caught it not charging a few times. (not plugged in all the way at wall)
Actually flipped open the app and caught my car door open (not fully closed)
98°F yesterday. Preconditioning kept me from smelling funky while waiting for the refrigerant to circulate.
Yanked the back bottom seat out, have a 4g com box.
Surely BWM wouldn't let a person register for services that are about to expire in 8 months.
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      07-20-2021, 06:13 PM   #24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Noggie View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by ovekvam View Post
If there is no technology upgrade available, how do they make new i3 models with it?
Our cars have 4G.
Its probably an issue for the pre-LCI i3's and no alternative unit is available, I looked in the parts catalogue and looks like they installed 4G with the introduction of 120ah version for the MY2019 i3/i3s.

I guess the "no update available" is due to different connectors or software incompatibility with the rest of the system.

I guess my F10 has 3G, I have not received any such mail and my service is due for renewal in August.
I guess as long as we have an operating 3G network the service will still be available.
Yet the funny thing is, my part is superseded with the new part. When cross referencing the parts in the computer And the new part is 4g and so if my part had died during my warranty period it would have been replaced with a 4G unit.

So ...........


Lol. Maybe I just go buy a 4g unit and plug it in and take it to the dealer and say hey mine stopped working can you activate it for me !


The connectors are all the same..... and the part looks the same ....

Here is a 2/15 build and the 4g module looks to be able to work with the car.

The early 2014 do not show this option. Not sure if an older 3015 can be swapped through the dealer.
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      07-31-2021, 07:05 AM   #25
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My 2017 has 4g as well. I was able to purchase connected drive features and even got an update.
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      09-24-2021, 03:56 AM   #26
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all of this applies only in US, correct?

phew, that one was close, I'm in Europe...
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      09-24-2021, 07:21 AM   #27
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This particular announcement is for North America, but the sunset of the (obsolete) 3G cellular system is global.....
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      10-21-2021, 07:10 PM   #28
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Attempting a 4G upgrade - 2015 i3 Rex

Like some of the other posters here, I like the remote services for checking charge status, seeing service reminders, and pre-heating in the cold winter months.

I have a 2015 i3 Rex that has 3g, and really don't want to lose the connectivity. I have already added an MMI box for Apple Carplay, and that works OK, for text messages and Waze, but I prefer the built in navigation because cel service in Vermont is terrible.

I can update this thread on what I've tried so far.
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      10-21-2021, 07:13 PM   #29
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Retrofit of TCB From Wrecked Vehicle - 2015 i3

For $170, I bought a used TCB module, because I thought I could just ask the ConnectedDrive team to update my VIN and IMEI numbers, and I would be good to go.

I installed the box, VO coded it, and called Emergency services. That worked fine, and interestingly enough, that also updated the status of the car on my mobile app.

However, I could not convince the ConnectedDrive team to update anything. I just received the standard response that it was end of life, and the hardware couldn't support it.
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      10-21-2021, 07:15 PM   #30
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More on the i3 4G Upgrade Attempt

After failing with getting the used TCB 4G module to work, I turned to my local dealer, and asked them to investigate. At first they thought they could do it, then they came back and said no. VERY frustrating.
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      10-21-2021, 07:19 PM   #31
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Another update on the i3 4G Retrofit

After more research, I came across some information that the old NBT Head Unit wouldn't be able to support voice services from the 4G module. Has something to do with VOIP.

I don't really want to update the HU, so I'm contemplating some other options, including some type of Connected Car telematics, but haven't gotten too far. There are several companies out there that want to track EV battery health, but they seem to depend upon the built-in connectivity
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      10-29-2021, 06:51 PM   #32
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Skelly14, thanks for the updates.
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      02-23-2022, 06:02 PM   #33
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Yesterday (2/22/2022) was D-Day for AT&T's 3G network to be shut down nationally.

I just plugged my 2015 i3 in to charge a few minutes ago (on 2/23), and my iPhone alerted that the car was charging! I don't know if this means that AT&T didn't pull the local 3G plug here yet, or if the car is roaming over to T-Mobile because it can't find AT&T's signal any more?

Ironically, the ConnectedDrive app is working 100% flawlessly and almost instantaneously at the moment. Wouldn't it be a kicker if AT&T's 3G system was the reason why so many of our cars had crappy ConnectedDrive access for all these years?????
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      02-27-2022, 01:54 PM   #34
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vreihen16 View Post
Yesterday (2/22/2022) was D-Day for AT&T's 3G network to be shut down nationally.

I just plugged my 2015 i3 in to charge a few minutes ago (on 2/23), and my iPhone alerted that the car was charging! I don't know if this means that AT&T didn't pull the local 3G plug here yet, or if the car is roaming over to T-Mobile because it can't find AT&T's signal any more?

Ironically, the ConnectedDrive app is working 100% flawlessly and almost instantaneously at the moment. Wouldn't it be a kicker if AT&T's 3G system was the reason why so many of our cars had crappy ConnectedDrive access for all these years?????
Yea no idea but someone told me that is close to the company said it's a soft shutdown. They will begin shutting down more obscure areas with the larger cities being last to have the plug pulled. So it may be a little
Longer than a day.


No idea really.
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      03-05-2022, 11:22 AM   #35
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If anyone is willing to spend the money, Here’s a link of someone upgrading their TCU from 3G to 4G on their i3. Apparently the 4G TCU is a plug and configure. https://www.mybmwi3.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=17401

I have a 2015 i3 and my telematics appears to be working still. I like the benefits of having the connection but not sure if I’m willing to spend over a grand to still have it. Now maybe if BMW offers some kind of discount for those who of us have 3G in their car, then maybe I’ll be more inclined to upgrade.

Last edited by nudealz; 03-05-2022 at 11:28 AM..
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      03-05-2022, 05:12 PM   #36
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I'm hoping that someone comes up with a portable 3G micro-cell that connects to 4G/LTE.

This 3G problem isn't limited to BMW, and there would be a bigger market for a device like this.....
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      03-07-2022, 05:56 AM   #37
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So to answer some questions, 4g modules started showing up in late built 2017 i3’s. Another thing, you are able to swap modules
With 4g, but sadly, it needs to be connected to the bmw system in order to operate and it needs to be linked to your car of course. But bmw will not allow the connectivity of the module to their connected services. So technically there is no way for someone to upgrade from 3g to 4g until either an aftermarket kit comes off that would be approved by bmw connected services
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      03-14-2022, 06:19 PM   #38
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FYI, AT&T shut off the 3G coverage to our neighborhood last Friday. There was still 1-2 bars of signal on the other side of town...which is under a cell tower and used to have full bars and then some. Looks like game over has arrived here.....
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      03-14-2022, 11:23 PM   #39
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vreihen16 View Post
FYI, AT&T shut off the 3G coverage to our neighborhood last Friday. There was still 1-2 bars of signal on the other side of town...which is under a cell tower and used to have full bars and then some. Looks like game over has arrived here.....
Yep mine stopped communicating on the 10th

The SOS button also no longer works when pushed on the i3 and x5. Doesn't even try ! Lol.
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      03-21-2022, 10:35 PM   #40
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i3 feels dated without ConnectedDrive services.
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      03-22-2022, 08:25 PM   #41
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WidowMaker03TX View Post
i3 feels dated without ConnectedDrive services.
Lol I thought the same then really sat back and reflected then realized I literally never used the app. So then I shrugged it off and enjoyed the drive. At the end of the day that's why I liked the car not because of the app.

But that's just me.
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      03-22-2022, 08:51 PM   #42
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I just discovered the Home Assistant ConnectedDrive integration back in December, and it was nice to be able to monitor/control the car just like it was another room in our house for a few months.....
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