Anyone have the dealer installed "wifi" hotspot?

[Michaelis01]

Going to pick up my truck tomorrow and I'm on the fence about adding the dealer-installed Wifi hotspot. Does anyone have and use this option? If so, can you give your feedback? Thanks in advance. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[LeeDowney]

Why wouldn't you just turn on the hotspot feature on your cell phone? If you have an android, it's an app called WiFi Hotspot and if you have an iphone, it's called Tether me in the cydia app store. Either way, seems like the easiest and least expensive way to establish a hotspot in your truck is your mobile phone.

[Michaelis01]

Why wouldn't you just turn on the hotspot feature on your cell phone? If you have an android, it's an app called WiFi Hotspot and if you have an iphone, it's called Tether me in the cydia app store. Either way, seems like the easiest and least expensive way to establish a hotspot in your truck is your mobile phone.

That would work just fine if: the hot spot could be used at the same time the phone is being used (verizon iphone can't have active data/voice going at the same time). Also, it's not so much for me as it is others in the car, such as family, customers, etc. If I'm on the phone, they can't use the data connection.

[SLESierra]

root that phone as I believe there is a fix for LTE on Verizon

[Aaron1085]

What's that run you?

 

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD

 

 

[block8head]

With the Wifi hotspot, do you still pay for the service?

[Willc11]

Why not do a stand alone hotspot with your cell phone carrier and keep it in the car? Why give the dealer $500 for the same service when you can get one for free with a 2 year contract?

 

Full disclosure, I own a chain of att stores. Right now att is running a $100 bill credit for activating one.

 

Tethering your phone as a modem would be a 2nd option. I can do that, but I don't. I like having my own dedicated connection to support 10 devices.

 

Will

[Aaron1085]

Wow....I'm interested in this. What's the cost and install info?

 

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD

 

 

[cobrajet84]

Like Willc11said, I would go to whatever cell phone carrier you currently have and just buy a mobile hotspot and add it to your plane. Like he said they are many times free with activation for 2yrs or maybe $20 for the device. With the "share everything plans" that carriers have now, they are generally only 10 or 20 bucks a month and you just pull from your pool of data. Just looked and 3 of the 4 hotspots that Verizon has right now are free.

[cmpcpro]

lol, nobody actually answered his question.. While I have a hotspot with Clear (grandfathered in, now that they are owned by Sprint) I was still very interested in hearing about the hotspot add on.. Just curious how it works, and where it goes, costs, etc..

[PhilB]

I, too, am interested in learning more about the wifi add-on. Not that I want it, but I would like to know more technical data about it. The GM Accessories site is lacking in information about it and how it functions. Where does it get its internet access from? In 2015 GM is going with AT&T LTE as part of the OnStar service and that will be how those vehicles will get internet access.

 

So if any members have this option, please chime in on how it works.

[SY2455]

Did anyone get this option? I tried to get it on my order and was told N/A due to problems with it.

[TJay74]

Depending on the carrier you cant hotspot from the phone anymore. ATT does not allow you to hotspot your phone unless you pay for that feature. if you root your phone and they see you are using it as a hotspot they will warn you then start charging you for the service.

[Rewillia]

I installed it myself and find it very useful in terms of mobile computing purpose, nice to have my Macbook Air onboard and be able to surf for info, apps, etc when travelling plus the benefit of enabling multiple users in cabin.

 

Prepaid X 1yr for the service subscription with Autonet, $ 350 or thereabout.

[chuckwi11]

Did not buy it and do not use it... here's why. The option is expensive ~$500 for a 3G (not 4G LTE) hotspot. You have to have a monthly service in addition to the install. I believe the service is through Verizon so if you aren't a current subscriber (I'm AT&T) you would have to buy the service without a multi-line discount. I think in the long run for both cost, speed and functionality you'd be better off, as someone else here said, buying a portable hot spot from your current carrier. The 2015s are getting a 4G hotspot as part of Onstar and AT&T but it looks like the ship has left port for the 2014s.

 

Also keep in mind that several carriers including Verizon have started indicating that 3G service is approaching end of life. The move is to all 4G LTE networks. May not happen for a year or two but at some point before your warranty expires this system will be obsolete whereas a portable hotspot could be upgraded numerous times for the cost of this installed option. Just saying...