3g shutdown

[richard]

Ah, you may have the older 350 (Hermes 1) system, which for some reason they have enabled a bit more (they didn't ever seem to turn as much off on that - but of course it is running on GPRS/Edge and the coverage can be a bit lacking / data rate slow.

- It's Hermes 1.5 system that can be upgraded from 3G/Edge/GPRS (code 360) to 4G/etc (code 362) - and the Hermes 1.5 cars definelty went pretty dumb apart from for Live Traffic and "status" - it would tell you the car is unlocked but not let you lock it !! This is fixed by upgrading the system properly and re-subscribing.

Bur then of course, Mercedes could have just enabled something un-intentionally thus giving you access again to remote locking. The only reason I can see that they have decided to start selling services again on Hermes 1.5 cars with 3G modules is either someone realised they are losing revenue (and people aren't buying a new car for remote services), or the threat of a class action lawsuit in USA has awoken the accountants!! Its all a bit of a guess and experimentation to work out what they have done and how to work around it !!

 

[Junction10]

Ah, you may have the older 350 (Hermes 1) system, which for some reason they have enabled a bit more (they didn't ever seem to turn as much off on that - but of course it is running on GPRS/Edge and the coverage can be a bit lacking / data rate slow.

- It's Hermes 1.5 system that can be upgraded from 3G/Edge/GPRS (code 360) to 4G/etc (code 362) - and the Hermes 1.5 cars definelty went pretty dumb apart from for Live Traffic and "status" - it would tell you the car is unlocked but not let you lock it !! This is fixed by upgrading the system properly and re-subscribing.

Bur then of course, Mercedes could have just enabled something un-intentionally thus giving you access again to remote locking. The only reason I can see that they have decided to start selling services again on Hermes 1.5 cars with 3G modules is either someone realised they are losing revenue (and people aren't buying a new car for remote services), or the threat of a class action lawsuit in USA has awoken the accountants!! Its all a bit of a guess and experimentation to work out what they have done and how to work around it !!

It is pretty strange - and pretty annoying.. I re-subscribed to the services a while ago (a bundle, not the individual service which wasn’t available) and as the 3G had been shut down, when the bundle was purchased the remote locking and geofence services remained as “activation pending” and when I contacted support to chase the activation they said it couldn’t be activated.. so I cancelled the subscription within the 14 day cooling off period…

I enquired with that company that offers module upgrades but apparently according to my VIN it wasn’t possible with my CLS, so I was gutted to be losing a feature I liked.. nothing worse than going somewhere and getting a notification that you’ve left your car unlocked!

Earlier this month, I noticed there was a trial period offer for the “excellence” package so I tried again on the off chance.. same thing - activation pending on those services, so while I was at a dealership having the MOT last week, I asked again if it was possible to upgrade the module.. they said no.. so I cancelled the subscription again, but as it’s on trial period, it doesn’t expire until 5th Feb.. so I’m just sitting at home last night and I get a notification on my phone that my Mercedes services have been activated.. and to my amazement - I could remote lock and unlock the car again after about 12 months of not being able to…

Our mobile signal where we live is poor at best - even 4g is extremely weak standing outside on our driveway so I was very surprised that if they have managed to get the service working via Edge, that it works around here.

The only glitch I’ve noticed is that the car location hasn’t been updated since the 15th so shows the car parked on a red route from my journey into town…

now I just need to decide.. do I resubscribe and hope the service is permanent??

 

[Junction10]

Oh I should also add - live traffic info also seems to be working… I was at some temporary roadwork traffic lights the other day and the navigation screen showed red and amber lanes ahead of me… maybe they have figured out how to run the service on 2g after all.

 

[richard]

Live traffic they kept running as an option even on 2G. The rest they had scrapped. msg me your VIN (or send to [email protected]) and I'll see if an upgrade is possible - it's more than just a module upgrade (if you want it to work properly!) and MB dealers have no clue on this. Then at least you'll know how/if you can make it all work really well ! R

Richard