XC40 Data SIM Expiring

[LRS]

Hello

The complementary Vodafone data SIM that came with our XC40 expires in 7 days.

Is anyone able to tell me what exactly do we ‘loose’ in functionally if we decide not to fit a new data SIM?

Also, are there any good deals out there at the moment on data SIMs that would be compatible for in car use?

Thanks

[LRS]

Originally Posted by LRS

Hello

The complementary Vodafone data SIM that came with our XC40 expires in 7 days.

Is anyone able to tell me what exactly do we ‘loose’ in functionally if we decide not to fit a new data SIM?

Also, are there any good deals out there at the moment on data SIMs that would be compatible for in car use?

Thanks

Forgot to mention that our XC40 is using the 'Sensus' system.

As the Sensus system cars do not support OTA updates then this removes this as a data requirement.

The 2 key questions regard data SIM usage is which SIM is responsible for:

• Map Updates
• Live Traffic

The ‘Personal SIM’ or the ‘Built-in SIM’?

[MikeGMT]

If you are due/or had the car serviced recently you can get a free 100gb Vodaphone sim from the dealer, valid for SPA/CMA cars with Sensus. I'm fairly sure the data requirement is handled by the P sim, or of course your mobile data if your phone is tethered.

[andybjackson]

You are right the you lose the map & app updating. I'm not sure you lose the traffic updates as I think these are obtained from FM Radio RDS signals.

The features that I would miss are the in car hotspot, which gives better internet connectivity to my/our phone(s) when the signal is iffy. And the remote locking and vehicle location services through the Volvo Cars app.

That said, the remote locking and unlocking is not reliable enough. Being locked out of my car after two or three runs in cold weather is two or three times to many.

My main service is Vodafone and I use 1 £10 a month add-on with 100GB each month. That said I rarely use even 1GB, even with 3 teenagers in daily commuting. Be careful of roaming charges (one of the reasons I prefer Vodafone).

I think the dealer supplied free ones are only usable once as you have to register with a vehicle identifier (can't remember whether Reg or VIN). Would be delighted to be proven wrong.

[LRS]

Thanks both for your advice and feedback


Yes, I found out about the Free Vodafone Data SIM card over on the XC40 Forum. The car was only in for its first service a few days ago, so I'll contact the dealer and request one. (I remember what a challenge it was to get the first Vodafone SIM setup - the dealer just gave me a faded photocopy page of instructions and said you may have better luck doing this yourself!)

Luckily there are other alternatives should the Free Vodafone SIM not happen - '3' 24gb 2 Year, preloaded SIM from Argos for £35

The cost for keeping a Private SIM active is not a problem and at least this way I'll loose no functionally.

Cheers