3g to 4g

[TheAbbot]

Took a drive to Unique Sound and Security yesterday to have the comms module changed in my 2018 E350 Convertible from 3g to 4g, the work took around 90 minutes and I came away with the car future proofed. They had registered the unit on the Mercedes database so now MercedesMe recognises that and has opened up all the remote options that had been removed for my car.
I can say from experience that if you lose 3g then you do not have live traffic.
Richard and the team have been a pleasure to deal with and would recommend them.
I understand that different models require their own module so give them a ring to find out prices and availability.

 

[GeeJayW]

Interesting, thanks for sharing.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Thanks for the recommendation. That’ll be useful.

But two points jump out. That 4g will inevitably be phased out in a decade’s time, but already looks creaky, and more generally no-one knows what will happen to all infotainment over the next decade.

We can ride the evolution but we can’t future proof.

 

[TheAbbot]

I agree about 4g going but my driving will have ended before then or I will be in a very small car and not going anywhere but the shops. For the here and now I'm happy

 

[BTB 500]

I agree about 4g going but my driving will have ended before then or I will be in a very small car and not going anywhere but the shops. For the here and now I'm happy

Hope that continues! My 2019 car is 4G and connectivity has been intermittent from about late November onwards. Sometimes the car has no connection at all (so no '4G' icon on the Navi screen and Live Traffic not present) - this was the case for an entire 180 mile drive down to London Docklands in December, but it was OK when coming back the same day. Other times it shows connection but data sent to the phone app is incomplete or inconsistent (e.g. location is updating correctly while driving but status shows parked with ignition off, or status and trip data are being correctly updated but location isn't). This is in areas with good reception, and others here have reported similar issues.

 

[GeeJayW]

We have weak/patchy 4G nearby. Because our car uses 3G (which has been pretty reliable), I’ve no idea how consistent the 4G network will be for us. That said, our other car (’22 VW Tiguan) seems to get a consistent signal. Being a relatively recent car, I’m assuming that it has a 4G connection.

 

[BTB 500]

Ironically although 3G is being switched off 2G isn't affected:



Which is good news for our 2016 TomTom GO 6100 (used in the Vito and SL) as that has 'lifetime' free live traffic via a built-in Vodafone 2G sim

First-gen (SMETS1) gas/electricity smart meters also use internal 2G sims, which is presumably the main reason why this service is being continued for now.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I’m by no means an expert however I suspect that 2G networks will last for longer than 3G - albeit still to be retired by 2033 - because it’s a cost effective way of filling the gaps in 4G/5G coverage.

The much greater bandwidth of each successive generation is achieved by increasing the frequency, in turn reducing the range - in other words reducing the distance that the signal will travel.

Many more 5G transmitters are required to cover the same geographical area than would be required for 2G. From memory a 2G signal will travel around 20 miles where 5G might travel less than a mile.

As a result, away from urban areas and main roads, there will be relatively little by way of 4G/5G coverage, and so 2G will still allow coverage albeit the bandwidth or connection speed will be a snail’s pace.

 

[OneForTheRoad]

Isn't 2g the emergency service call facility , when all else fails. ?

 

[ALFAitalia]

4g is set to start going in the not too distant future apparently.... with the first areas losing it from 2030.... so not that long. Other areas are set to run both for possibly up to 30 years.... so just down to your postcode I guess.

 

[richard]

Took a drive to Unique Sound and Security yesterday to have the comms module changed in my 2018 E350 Convertible from 3g to 4g, the work took around 90 minutes and I came away with the car future proofed. They had registered the unit on the Mercedes database so now MercedesMe recognises that and has opened up all the remote options that had been removed for my car.
I can say from experience that if you lose 3g then you do not have live traffic.
Richard and the team have been a pleasure to deal with and would recommend them.
I understand that different models require their own module so give them a ring to find out prices and availability.

Thanks ! Glad your car is back to "functioning as it should".

 

[st13phil]

Isn't 2g the emergency service call facility , when all else fails. ?

Yes.

 

[st13phil]

I’m by no means an expert however I suspect that 2G networks will last for longer than 3G - albeit still to be retired by 2033 - because it’s a cost effective way of filling the gaps in 4G/5G coverage.

I’m no expert either, but I do know that the 2G network supports the Europe-wide e-call system for motor vehicles and also other pseudo infrastructure elements such as the Smart Meter system.

Lots to change if 2G is retired, and all of it more critical than Mercedes-me.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I’m no expert either, but I do know that the 2G network supports the Europe-wide e-call system for motor vehicles and also other pseudo infrastructure elements such as the Smart Meter system.

Lots to change if 2G is retired, and all of it more critical than Mercedes-me.

I suspect they’ll be 2G for the rang (or coverage) which I mentioned earlier. Neither application need to transmit much data so bandwidth (or speed) is much less important than having a connection.

 

[GeeJayW]

I’m no expert either, but I do know that the 2G network supports the Europe-wide e-call system for motor vehicles and also other pseudo infrastructure elements such as the Smart Meter system.

Lots to change if 2G is retired, and all of it more critical than Mercedes-me.

Mercedes-Me isn’t a real problem. Losing Live Traffic data from our sat-nav is a problem, especially as the system in our car doesn’t have the capability* for including CarPlay functionality.

*third part modules are available at c. £500

 

[kam09]

Took a drive to Unique Sound and Security yesterday to have the comms module changed in my 2018 E350 Convertible from 3g to 4g, the work took around 90 minutes and I came away with the car future proofed. They had registered the unit on the Mercedes database so now MercedesMe recognises that and has opened up all the remote options that had been removed for my car.
I can say from experience that if you lose 3g then you do not have live traffic.
Richard and the team have been a pleasure to deal with and would recommend them.
I understand that different models require their own module so give them a ring to find out prices and availability.

Is your 4G module still working as normal?

 

[richard]

The live traffic stuff still works (and is subscribable to), along with map updates (which barely made it at 3G speeds), you just can not add further subscriptions for the status monitoring stuff can't be renewed)

 

[TheAbbot]

HI Kam09. 4g is working a treat, OTA map updates, live traffic able to subscribe to multiple digital services, cars been into MB garage for a service no comment made regarding the new comms module. As far as I'm concerned it was the best money I have spent on the car.

 

[Graveworm]

Hi a little confused. I have a 2018 S213 (May 2018) I have had it from new and now the remote functions no longer work (It says temporarily disabled please purchase but no way to purchase). The status all update but I can't find vehicle, lock unlock etc. If I get the module swapped for 4G will that allow me to purchase the package again?

 

[richard]

Please can U send me your VIN ? I'll look up what you have and investigate - S class may be possible