3G Modem upgrade

[Lexman8]

Originally Posted by Philip Fisher

I have a 2016 XC90. I assume from reading this thread that I have a 3G modem. Does anyone know which network it uses? Can I change the network?

Yes, you have a 3G modem, same as me. Not sure which network it uses; it could be multi-network.

I'd be really annoyed if I lost connectivity because Volvo couldn't/wouldn't supply a 4G upgrade at a resonable cost. As it is, it's possible I could lose connectivity when I drive to France this summer (don't know if 3G is still operational there).

[Lexman8]

Originally Posted by hughwhitaker

some EU countries have already shut down their 3g networks. I asked my drawer about this 3 weeks ago but they haven't come back to me yet and asked if i could try to find the part number for them so they could help me quicker.

The US has different frequency bands allocated for mobile comms so it's possible that Europe/UK would have a different part (although it's possible to have multi-territory modems).

[Philip Fisher]

Originally Posted by Lexman8

Yes, you have a 3G modem, same as me. Not sure which network it uses; it could be multi-network.

I'd be really annoyed if I lost connectivity because Volvo couldn't/wouldn't supply a 4G upgrade at a resonable cost. As it is, it's possible I could lose connectivity when I drive to France this summer (don't know if 3G is still operational there).

Thanks Lexman. I have just read on the OFCOM website that O2 have not announced a date for switch off yet and the others (Voda/EE/Three) have announced dates between now and the end of 2024.

So the network the car uses could be quite relevant to whether I take action or not. By the end of 2024 my car will probably have done greater than 180k miles which will affect my decision on whether I spend money on any "nice to haves" such as this.

[Lexman8]

Originally Posted by Philip Fisher

...which will affect my decision on whether I spend money on any "nice to haves" such as this.

Don't forget that the car's SOS and VoC functions rely on a modem connection: in particular, the car's ability to summon emergency help if the airbags deploy.

[Lexman8]

Just to add, the 'free' SIMs that are being handed out by dealers are Vodafone.

I use one of these so it will definitely stop working some time this year since Voda started closing 3G services in February 2023 and intends to have their entire 3G network switched off by December 2023.

EDIT:
It looks like the 3G switch-off in France will come later than in the UK with some networks there planning to switch off 2G first.

[Bendolfc]

Timescales are here for most networks https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-tele.../3g-switch-off

[ergonomist]

Originally Posted by Lexman8

EDIT:
It looks like the 3G switch-off in France will come later than in the UK with some networks there planning to switch off 2G first.

Yes - me and my 3G modem were in France in March. I was still able to send destinations to the car so 3G is still working in the areas I travelled through en route to the Alps

[Lexman8]

Originally Posted by ergonomist

Yes - me and my 3G modem were in France in March. I was still able to send destinations to the car so 3G is still working in the areas I travelled through en route to the Alps

I'm driving to the Alps too. I've still got 90GB of data left on the free SIM so I can listen to UK radio all the way there and back.

[James77]

Originally Posted by Lexman8

I'm driving to the Alps too. I've still got 90GB of data left on the free SIM so I can listen to UK radio all the way there and back.

I'd have got the free sim if only the spanner jocks hadn't knocked the psim box into the abyss behind the carpet when pulling it back for a fuse recall on the fuel pump. Can't bring myself to allow the hatchet monsters to retrieve it.

[theonlyone]

I asked for the free 100GB sim when I had my 2017 V90CC serviced last November. It was not available for that model year which is 3G. Quite why, I'm not sure, but that was at a Volvo dealer known for its excellent customer service.