2019 LTE HOT SPOT

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ddpt

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Any information out there on what the monthly cost is for the LTE Hot Spot WiFi that comes standard on the 2019 model? I haven't found any info in the manuals or on the system itself. I heard it is thru AT&T.

Also is the HOT SPOT only active when the vehicle is running or does it remain a HOT SPOT even when the vehicle is not running?

Looking at a way that I can install a Blackvue camera that can monitor truck and stream video/alerts to my smartphone.
 

goblues38

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It is AT&T. It is only active when car is on. It is not unlimited data.

To me the ford wifi strategy is just dumb. Why pay extra $20 a month to turn your car into a "hot spot" when you can just turn on tethering from any modern phone and use that as a "hot spot" for no additional cost?
 
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ddpt

ddpt

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It is AT&T. It is only active when car is on. It is not unlimited data.

To me the ford wifi strategy is just dumb. Why pay extra $20 a month to turn your car into a "hot spot" when you can just turn on tethering from any modern phone and use that as a "hot spot" for no additional cost?

AT&T is kind of strange. I have an old unlimited AT&T plan that I keep because the pricing is more competitive, but I cannot turn my phone into a HOT SPOT on this plan. If I want to do that, I have to switch to a more current unlimited plan that comes in at a much higher cost.

I did find pricing information online for FORD and for the extra $ for using the vehicle HOT SPOT, it may make more sense in my case. I just wish the HOT SPOT was active all the time (probably drains the battery if it did).
 

peavey02

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The hot spot will only work when the truck is running from what I have noticed.

You get 3 gigs for free then it will charge you to use it. The 3 gigs will expire if you don't use all of the data. My dealer said to buy it and cancel it whenever you want to use it. But that's probably just more of a hassle. But anyway...It is through AT&T and from what I can tell on my account it will bill you monthly or just one time charge. The plans look like the following;

(Renews every 30 days)
1. 2GB connected car data plane for 1 day $5
2. connected car prepaid unlimited data $25


(Prepaid one time purchase plans)
1. 250MB connected car data plane for 1 day $5
2. prepaid unlimited data for 12 months $250
3. prepaid unlimited data for 25 months $450

Existing at&t customers get cheaper deals.

If you have unlimited data on your phone. I think this is pretty much a useless feature. I don't think you will be able to use it for your Blackvue camera because the truck will be off. I hope this helps a little bit.
 
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ddpt

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The hot spot will only work when the truck is running from what I have noticed.

You get 3 gigs for free then it will charge you to use it. The 3 gigs will expire if you don't use all of the data. My dealer said to buy it and cancel it whenever you want to use it. But that's probably just more of a hassle. But anyway...It is through AT&T and from what I can tell on my account it will bill you monthly or just one time charge. The plans look like the following;

(Renews every 30 days)
1. 2GB connected car data plane for 1 day $5
2. connected car prepaid unlimited data $25


(Prepaid one time purchase plans)
1. 250MB connected car data plane for 1 day $5
2. prepaid unlimited data for 12 months $250
3. prepaid unlimited data for 25 months $450

Existing at&t customers get cheaper deals.

If you have unlimited data on your phone. I think this is pretty much a useless feature. I don't think you will be able to use it for your Blackvue camera because the truck will be off. I hope this helps a little bit.


My brother has setup the blackvue with a netgear wifi hotspot - https://www.netgear.com/landings/nighthawk-mnr1100-mobile-router/default.aspx

He can remote view his vehicle and gets text alerts to any motion, doors open etc.... I was hoping I could do the same using the built-in LTE hot spot
 

HoldenTX

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There are some other intangible benefits as well. Using your phone as a hotspot drains the battery much faster and tuning it off/on when you are out/in the car is a hassle. How much is that worth? Depends - same argument about buying coffee from Starbucks or making it yourself.
 
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