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HELP - Why do I need a SIM??

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34K views 17 replies 9 participants last post by  Sebajfobias  
S
#1 ·
Hi All,

Looking to get a data SIM for the car today but am now wondering why I need it? Historically, I have simply connected to a car via Bluetooth and streamed Spotify etc via my phone.

Why do I need the SIM in the Velar? What does it give me? I can have people attach to my phone's hotspot if needed, can stream Spotify etc.

Basically, what do I get by adding a dedicated SIM in the car? Managed to get 4GB for £8.45 a month from EE. How much are others using?

HELP! LOL

Thanks
Mark
 
M
#3 ·
As far as I have figured out, there are 2 separate data links (not sure whether the SIM card fitted by the dealer handles both of them, but suspect it does).

1. Data for navigation system e.g. traffic, online place search as well as data connection for the connected services i.e. Remote App location, remote start, vehicle status etc. According to my dealer, this link is included in the vehicle price, is good for the duration of the warranty of the vehicle, and after that it can renewed for a fee. You can actually check the exact date of the subscription when you log into your account on the Landrover Incontrol site (https://landrover.here.com) - look under Maps and Services tab.

2. Data for general internet access i.e. in car wifi streaming, built in web browser etc. This requires a separate subscription from the cell provider after the initial trial period (for me, 3 months) is up. It is not required for (1) however.

Since I don't have a need for general internet access as I have my phone, I didn't bother with (2) and let it expire. Services in (1) run just fine without it.

My SIM is a 3G one, and others on the forum have reported being able to put in 4G SIMs instead, but I haven't tried that. You can also tether your phone's internet connection to the car using a phone-generated wifi hotspot, but I don't know how stable or convenient that is.

Hope this helps and I'm sure others can correct any errors in my understanding.
 
S
#4 ·
Thanks for the reply

Would I be right in thinking that if I use the SIM in the car to stream data for Spotify I can use the Spotify app on the screen and see album art etc etc but if I connect my phone via Bluetooth and play Spotify tracks all the album art etc stays on the phone??

Thanks
 
M
#5 ·
Others should speak to Spotify as I don't use it.

I can confirm however that, when streaming music from Pandora over the phone bluetooth connection, I could also see the album art on the car screen. So this data can be shared from phone apps over bluetooth (this is with an iPhone).
 
M
#6 ·
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#7 ·
MITO said:
Since I don't have a need for general internet access as I have my phone, I didn't bother with (2) and let it expire. Services in (1) run just fine without it.
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That's very interesting. I assumed you needed the extra data subscriptions for traffic, live updates, remote climate etc. All of those work for you without paying a data plan, and the plan is literally used for hotspot & browser (which I've never used since my iPhone is LTE & much easier to use)? I will cancel if so.
 
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M
#8 ·
It would be great to get JLR comment on this wouldn't it.

IMHO I've found that my phone will deal with the data stream for music whatever the service, Spotify or indeed Pandora

The additional sim which you insert in the arm rest will give you access to Traffic and the Live Services (what limited use they are). I do not believe it does anymore than that.

As for the remote services (as in remote start) this is another separate unit that's integrated in the car and works regardless of Arm-tests sim or Bluetooth connectivity.

I suspect they alway thought they could have more services and would add more but they've been so busy (NOT) trying to get ICTP plus for existing customers that there have been no additional services added which would use the sim.

Even in Over 10 months of release they've not even added any further apps to the car and ICTP.

It's like having a ZX81 in my car (if you don't know what that is google is your friend ) :eek:
 
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S
#9 ·
Am I the only one without SIM card slot and "Connectivity" menu? I do not find any way to connect the car to any external data source, not even my phone's hotspot, as the menu is mising. Is this normal?
 
L
#10 ·
Sebajfobias said:
Am I the only one without SIM card slot and "Connectivity" menu? I do not find any way to connect the car to any external data source, not even my phone's hotspot, as the menu is mising. Is this normal?
Click to expand...
No. I have the same problem.
In the country I live (Gibraltar), cars come from a different market from the European, so the car doesnt have the SIM slot.
It would be know if this can be added.

Look at this: https://www.velarforums.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=737&p=7690#p7690

Where are you?
 
S
#11 ·
Thanks for the feedback. I'm in Hungary. Dealer never toldme this was the case. I had internet connection in my Audi before ( built and bought in Hungary), so I never thought it would be an issue. You don't have the menu for connectivity either, do you?
 
L
#12 ·
No, i dont have the connectivity menu, but I have friend here and the dealer has been able to upgrade to version 17C in his car. They added the "connectivity" menu (although right now it is only showing Bluetooth and hotspot, but we think they can also enable the WiFi option).

We think that this is something that dealer can enable using pathfinder.

His car can be now used as a hotspot (you can connect your smartphone to the car, although you cant do anything). So we think that if the dealer enables the 'WiFi' option, the car should be also able to connecto to other networks.
 
D
#14 ·
wr3gl said:
I'm interested in this topic as well and will add a question:
For NA Velar owners, can you use a 4G SIM card or are we limited to 3G?
Click to expand...
from what I understand the car is physically 4G equipped, but the SIM card that comes with it...thus ATT is limited to 3G due to contracts between LR and ATT. Thats what I was told after being on the phone for quite a while.

I'm not sure if you are able to get some other 4GSIM and put it in and get service or not. I'm guessing the only other company in the USA that would work is Tmobile.
 
L
#15 ·
Our case is different.

The car doesn't have the SIM slot. It just have the USB ports.

Our dealer would like to analyze with Topix a car with this option just to see if this slot can be replaced in my car. Can someone with InControl Touch Pro + SIM slot card share his VIN number with me? You can send me a private message. I would really appreciate it. Thanks.
 
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