OTA (Over The Air) Updates

I believe OTA is an internal part of the ID line. I know ID.3 deliveries were delayed in Europe due to VW resolving some outstanding OTA issues.

Continental is providing the OTA updates for all the ID vehicles. I'm a bit surprised VW didn't confirm it with the ID.4 debut but they are coming.

Does anybody know what carrier VW will use for OTA? My BMW X5 uses AT&T which has poor to no coverage in my area so it is useless.

That would work for me, Verizon is about the only carrier in my area that has consistent service.

I have AT&T so I suppose I would have to open a Verizon account to get OTA. I don't want to switch companies for our cell phones.

danbee46 said:

I have AT&T so I suppose I would have to open a Verizon account to get OTA. I don't want to switch companies for our cell phones.

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The car will use Verizon to 'phone home', you won't need to change providers.

ixlr08 said:

The car will use Verizon to 'phone home', you won't need to change providers.

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I realize that I won't have to move all my phones to Verizon. What I meant was that I will still have to open an account with Verizon just for the OTA unless I'm missing something.

danbee46 said:

I realize that I won't have to move all my phones to Verizon. What I meant was that I will still have to open an account with Verizon just for the OTA unless I'm missing something.

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Based on my experience with my GMC truck and my BMW, the vehicle manufacturer will open the account with the service provider, you won't have to do a thing.

ixlr08 said:

The car will use Verizon to 'phone home', you won't need to change providers.

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That seems correct. I currently have VW Car-Net for my VW Tiguan but Verizon is not my cell phone provider.

... and I don't have any Verizon account.

Carrier or no carrier i assume OTA can be still done via WiFi when sitting in garage and connected to my home network? Sounds like more efficient way than having to rely on spotty cellular coverage

Sonovi said:

... and I don't have any Verizon account.

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You don't need one, VW does.

mmmzon said:

Carrier or no carrier i assume OTA can be still done via WiFi when sitting in garage and connected to my home network? Sounds like more efficient way than having to rely on spotty cellular coverage

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I have seen no mention anywhere of OTA being done over WiFi. Using wifi, VW would not be able to contact the vehicle, the vehicle would need to contact VW. With cellular, VW can contact the vehicle. My garage is all metal, with no wifi or cellular coverage inside, not sure how OTA is going to work for me.

That is not true. Just like you are able to access Internet websites when using home WiFi (or wired network, for that matter), ID would be able to phone home to whatever VW server and check for updates, and if needed - pull them down. There are also push mechanisms possible in such scenarios.

I personally do not like the notion of constant cellular coverage of the car, including positioning information being available to someone. It is just enough that I have to carry phone on me

My iPhone is on WiFi 90% of the time and it auto-updates its firmware and Apps.

My Generac generator required a WiFi interface for startup and periodically also updates its firmware. It's of course outside and a fair distance from its closest mesh WiFi so the ID.4 if in the driveway should work as well.

Same for my recently installed ChargePoint, although in the garage and close RF line of sight to basement router.

btw: I just canceled my AT&T cellular coverage of Audi Connect as I mostly used it just for the nav Google map overlay which as of a week ago is no longer provided. I can just ask Siri where to get a cup of coffee if necessary.

I appreciate the tech but I don't need redundant/unnecessary systems.

danbee46 said:

I realize that I won't have to move all my phones to Verizon. What I meant was that I will still have to open an account with Verizon just for the OTA unless I'm missing something.

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You don't have to open up a Verizon account, just sign up through CarNet and it will take care of it for you.

Your car phones home for the update, not the other way around.

You can also do it manually from the infotainment.

News of upcoming OAT update. Please let us know if anyone sees this update in the USA.

ixlr08 said:

I have seen no mention anywhere of OTA being done over WiFi. Using wifi, VW would not be able to contact the vehicle, the vehicle would need to contact VW. With cellular, VW can contact the vehicle. My garage is all metal, with no wifi or cellular coverage inside, not sure how OTA is going to work for me.

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The discussion I have seen is that the download only happens in the background when you are out and driving around. The install takes place in the garage, and I am guessing requires no internet connection.