LTE Hotspot Users - How Do You Like It?

[apgawlf9196]

I have a 2017 F80 with LTE Hotspot. My trial period for the AT&T LTE services has run out, and I am wondering if it's worth renewing.

My view is that it's not worth renewing. I found that the AT&T LTE wifi was slow when used through my paired iPhone--indeed, noticeably slower than using the LTE straight from my iPhone (or even when using a signal from a personal hotspot from another device).

That said, I wanted to gauge other users' opinions.

[Mikecom32]

Originally Posted by apgawlf9196

I have a 2017 F80 with LTE Hotspot. My trial period for the AT&T LTE services has run out, and I am wondering if it's worth renewing.

My view is that it's not worth renewing. I found that the AT&T LTE wifi was slow when used through my paired iPhone--indeed, noticeably slower than using the LTE straight from my iPhone (or even when using a signal from a personal hotspot from another device).

That said, I wanted to gauge other users' opinions.

What exactly is the advantage to using this over the data on your phone? Is the data through the hotspot service cheaper than via the cell phone plan?

[apgawlf9196]

I suppose one advantage is having a dedicated LTE connection from somewhere other than your phone. Not sure how its costs compare to data accessed through a cell phone plan.

What I really wanted to know was what users thought of the AT&T LTE service from a performance standpoint.

[M Pulse]

I just don't get the point of having LTE in a car. Seems kinda pointless these days. If you already have data on your mobile phone then what's the point?

Maybe if you have young kids with devices without a data plan, that's about the only use case that would make sense.

[Volfan615]

I can't get it to work anyway. Was working on the trial plan and then as soon as I tried to link it to my shared data plan it stopped working. I've spent a total of about 5 hours on the phone with the AT&T Connected Car department which doesn't have a clue how to support this. When you ask to speak to an actual technician they tell you it's not allowed. I finally told them what they can do with it. Not worth the hassle when I already have data on my phone.

[mpizutti]

Not worth it in my opinion

[DeliAhjusshi]

maybe worth it if you have a dash cam that can send you text alerts in parking mode. But only if the LTE hotspot can stay on when the car is parked and active 24-7.

[Super Spartan]

Originally Posted by apgawlf9196

I have a 2017 F80 with LTE Hotspot. My trial period for the AT&T LTE services has run out, and I am wondering if it's worth renewing.

My view is that it's not worth renewing. I found that the AT&T LTE wifi was slow when used through my paired iPhone--indeed, noticeably slower than using the LTE straight from my iPhone (or even when using a signal from a personal hotspot from another device).

That said, I wanted to gauge other users' opinions.

It would be something maybe 10 years ago. Now that almost everyone has data plans on their phones. It's just an added cost and subscription. Hence why I didn't order it on my next M4

[k332814]

Awesome to have if you have piss poor service from TMobile or Sprint outside urban areas.
Awesome to have in urban areas when a wired permanent antenna outside the rolling metal cage that your car is improves data speed reliability.

wrong?

I have a 7" lenovo wifi tablet that I leave in the car all the time that is setup with one purpose only- retrieves podcasts, Amazon music, Google Music, Netflix whatever that bluetooth to the infotainment system and Waze scales great on. Its always in the car ready and loaded to go while I used to fumble with my phone.

Not having it in M4#1 I ordered M4#2 with it. Im am happy I did. I use it more than I expected.

[RickFLM4]

I had it in my S4 where it was the only way to access Google Earth for navigation. I found a way to order a SIM and pay per usage from a data wholesaler rather than pay a monthly subscription. It was a couple of bucks a month so it was worth it to me in that case.

Not sure if you can do the same with BMW and not clear what it what can reasonably be used for in BMW since there is no Google Earth. I would never subscribe to it for people in the car to use as a hotspot for their devices. I never really understood why someone would do so.

[Iceman1]

Is there some connected drive apps or services that can only work with the cars own data connection as opossed to using the data from your smartphone?

[MFNATIK]

It sounded like a good idea at the time since I have kids with iPod touches and iPads but then I never even activated when I found out it's locked into AT&T. It made me forget I had WiFi altogether until a friend mentioned I should connect my iPhone to the wifi to speed up the connection for apple car play.

[Professor///M]

I think it's useful if you do what I do... which is use an old iPhone with Apple Music (or other streaming service) as a direct wire connection to you music.

So my setup is that my old iPhone 6 is my music. I have it connected to the WiFi hotspot to access Apple Music or Pandora. This is so I don't have to set up my phone as it's own hotspot, as a hotspot on verizion is an additional charge.

If I had AT&T, I could take the data right off my plan... but since I have verizon, I have to consider paying for the service.

Second, it's good if you don't have service in some areas... let's say you have Sprint and have a lousy connection where there is AT&T, you can make a call over WiFi and still have a "cellular" connection.


With all of that said, as we approach the next string of upcoming "unlimited" data plans, I think we'll see that the hotspot isn't of any great value

[MFNATIK]

Originally Posted by JSTDR1V

I think it's useful if you do what I do... which is use an old iPhone with Apple Music (or other streaming service) as a direct wire connection to you music.

So my setup is that my old iPhone 6 is my music. I have it connected to the WiFi hotspot to access Apple Music or Pandora. This is so I don't have to set up my phone as it's own hotspot, as a hotspot on verizion is an additional charge.

If I had AT&T, I could take the data right off my plan... but since I have verizon, I have to consider paying for the service.

Second, it's good if you don't have service in some areas... let's say you have Sprint and have a lousy connection where there is AT&T, you can make a call over WiFi and still have a "cellular" connection.


With all of that said, as we approach the next string of upcoming "unlimited" data plans, I think we'll see that the hotspot isn't of any great value

Its not of great value IMO because BMW is late to the party here. I can just run my mobile hotspot from my S8 on TMo and can share up to 10GB at 4G LTE speeds anyways. Why on earth would I want to pay extra to AT&T for the same thing? This would have been nice about 2-3 years ago. Today, eh... lol

[Arcades]

Originally Posted by MFNATIK

Its not of great value IMO because BMW is late to the party here. I can just run my mobile hotspot from my S8 on TMo and can share up to 10GB at 4G LTE speeds anyways. Why on earth would I want to pay extra to AT&T for the same thing? This would have been nice about 2-3 years ago. Today, eh... lol

Yeah this isn't handy.

I had this option for the Macan S in our family and once the month was over, we let it go. It isn't worth it to pay AT&T more to get it going.

It very much isn't worth it. I'm certain if this is AT&T then it's the same thing. They give you a trial SIM card and you have to setup an account for it. Then, when the month goes you have to renew or it goes away.

Personally I wouldn't renew it.

[marvinp]

Originally Posted by Iceman1

Is there some connected drive apps or services that can only work with the cars own data connection as opossed to using the data from your smartphone?

I'm curious about this as well. Can anyone with LTE Hotspot comment on this?

[RobC2]

We used it in my wife's A6 when we first got it for the kids' iPads but never renewed it. I didn't even bother in my M3 to get it going. The trial period is too short and the renewal is too expensive.

[drkeng]

I think I was told it's included for 4 years on 2018's and then only $50/year. Maybe it's needed for iDrive 6
Wonder if I could use the Sirius app instead of a dedicated Sirius subscription as I have it on my other 2 cars?

[RickFLM4]

Originally Posted by drkeng

I think I was told it's included for 4 years on 2018's and then only $50/year. Maybe it's needed for iDrive 6
Wonder if I could use the Sirius app instead of a dedicated Sirius subscription as I have it on my other 2 cars?

When I had an S4 Audi / T-Mobile was trying to charge $30/mo. unless you committed for some term I don't remember. It may have gone down when they switched to AT&T. No thanks.

[Iceman1]

Originally Posted by drkeng

I think I was told it's included for 4 years on 2018's and then only $50/year. Maybe it's needed for iDrive 6
Wonder if I could use the Sirius app instead of a dedicated Sirius subscription as I have it on my other 2 cars?

Per BMW USA website, the trial period included is 3GB for 3 months.

[Iceman1]

Originally Posted by marvinp

I'm curious about this as well. Can anyone with LTE Hotspot comment on this?

Bumping in case anyone knowledgeable can shed some light on this...

Is there some connected drive apps or services that can only work with the cars own data connection as opossed to using the data from your smartphone?