[sean.a.hyde]

Hi, hopefully some current owners can help me out.

I'm trying to figure out how data usage works on the car.
I know the car has its own LTE radio.
I also have read that you can add the car to a phone plan. Volvo says that it comes with a "3 month (or 3GB, whichever comes first) complimentary data plan provided through AT&T"
I also know you can tether your phone to the car.

I'm trying to figure out which is used and how.

I see that Volvo says that a "4-year subscription to Google Services included". Presumably this is separate from the 3 month AT&T plan referenced above.
Does that mean that maps data doesn't require another data connection (Phone plan and/or tethered phone)?
Does that mean that downloading things from the play store doesn't require another data connection (Phone plan and/or tethered phone)?

How do apps that you install (Spotify, Tune-in, etc) access data?

Thanks!

 

[Coffeenerdguy]

The car can communicate over 4G for free for 4 years.

 

[sean.a.hyde]

The car can communicate over 4G for free for 4 years.

Thanks! So we should just disregard the note in the manual about 3 month / 3Gigs free? That's a much better proposition.
Perhaps I shouldn't be overly worried about $10/month adder to my phone plan (assuming it doesn't bump me to another data amount), but it would be nice to not need to tether my phone to stream music.

 

[Coffeenerdguy]

Thanks! So we should just disregard the note in the manual about 3 month / 3Gigs free? That's a much better proposition.
Perhaps I shouldn't be overly worried about $10/month adder to my phone plan (assuming it doesn't bump me to another data amount), but it would be nice to not need to tether my phone to stream music.

I haven't heard anything about 3G even in my documentation. Strange...

 

[CVOLVO.COM]

The car can communicate over 4G for free for 4 years.

Are you sure of this or is it just available in the USA for Recharge models?

In Canada, my subscription only lasted for 3 months or until I exceeded a pre-determined download limit. The internal modem still requires a P-SIM chip installed under the rear storage compartment. An alternative is to use your smartphone's connection via bluetooth or connected through the USB Android Auto (or CarPlay). If you're fortunate enough to be close to a WiFi connection, this can be utilized, but I'd be concerned about the lack of security.

 

[sean.a.hyde]

Are you sure of this or is it just available in the USA for Recharge models?

In Canada, my subscription only lasted for 3 months or until I exceeded a pre-determined download limit. The internal modem still requires a P-SIM chip installed under the rear storage compartment. An alternative is to use your smartphone's connection via bluetooth or connected through the USB Android Auto (or CarPlay). If you're fortunate enough to be close to a WiFi connection, this can be utilized, but I'd be concerned about the lack of security.

Hence my confusion
The note about 4-years comes from here: Volvo XC40 Recharge pure electric | Volvo Cars

That text does NOT appear on the Canada page: Volvo XC40 Recharge pure electric | Volvo Cars

But I still wasn't sure if all network access from the car is covered in the US, or just Google services (maps, etc)

 

[scans]

Got my P8 today. AT&T provides the LTE for 6 months or 3GB, whatever comes first (they are assuming 500MB/month on average) for your streaming data for installable apps. I believe the built-in apps and system updates are free.

Google Services is different and pertains to Google Auto, I believe.

I am using Spotify right now via the app in the car. My plan is to either stream pre-downloaded music on my phone (which doesn't have unlimited data) with Apple Music or Spotify or put an iPhone with unlimited data (free account I got from T-Mobile) in the car to act as an access point for the car when I might want to stream. SiriusXM app is not coming until late 2021, so I will just use the iPhone to stream it for now.

Can't wait for the software updates....

 

[Coffeenerdguy]

Now I'm curious if what you're saying is true. I'm past my third month with the car and I've never set anything up with AT&T. I use Spotify daily off the car and not my phone. Hmmm...

 

[Rugbychix]

I think the sales people are confused, this seems like the stock information for the older Sensus systems: Sensus Connect Data Plan

Those systems also came with built in wifi hotspots too, something the XC40 doesn't do.

 

[scans]

You may be correct, then. They may have just repeated what was on the other cars.

 

[Chris Dauerer]

I believe this is confusion between the Sensus based system on the current XC40 T4/T5 and the Google Auto system in the XC40 P8. Sensus has a receptacle for a SIM card, every car is provided with a 3 month data plan for app and map downloads. The XC40 P8 Google system has a four year service plan built into the price of the car to provide data for the Navigation system, apps, infotainment, etc. There is no data limit on the Google system, just the four year term.

 

[scans]

Thank you for the clarification!

 

[Jerramie]

I was told by volvo that by default the car will use its own onboard sat connection for internet and communication (the globe icon on the upper left corner of the display) this is the volvo oncall system. This is not an internet connection as you know it. Next if you hook your phone up and allow the system to use it for connection - the car will use that cellphone connection by default over the global sat connection for updates, oncall and everything else. Finaly, if you activate the cars sim card modem in the trunk/hatch - the system will use that connection for all of the above over the 2 previous connections as it will be the fastest. In order to use the onboard sim card modem i had to activate it through AT&T (IN NEW ENGLAND USA For me) and thats when my free trial started. Its inexpensive and well worth it. I pay just 9$ a month for unlimited once my trial expires.
Edit: dont make the mistake i did. I used volvo on-call to ask about the sim card connection, volvo transfered me (3 wayed) to AT&T and they took all the info once i selected a plan but they could not get the modem to connect. Come to find out- you can not initially connect and setup the modem while the volvo on-call feature/hardware is being used. I had to have them call me on my personal cell. Also, if you happen to have an at&t cell plan for your personal phone, the new sim card in the trunk/hatch MUST be activated with its own new phone number. It is possible to activate this on the same number but you will run into all kinds of issues. i.e while your cellphone is hooked up to the vehicle for calls or what ever, you will not be able to make or receive calls through the vehicle system if the phone number is shared between the 2.

 

[CVOLVO.COM]

I was told by volvo that by default the car will use its own onboard sat connection for internet and communication (the globe icon on the upper left corner of the display) this is the volvo oncall system. ......

Everything you listed seems to be correct for our gas models. I did purchase a P-SIM from a Canadian carrier and also can use my smartphone's Internet as well. The <Communication> menu allows you to select whichever method you prefer. As stated above, I removed the P-SIM with no smartphone connected and was able to still use the Volvo On Call APP to communicate separately. I don't doubt that our XC40 will choose the best available connection if activated.

Since I use a non-Internet required GPS as well as offline playlist for Amazon Music+, both through Android Auto, I really have yet to find a compelling reason (or application) as to why I need an active Internet connection. Can anyone help to enlighten or educate me? Possibly it's not important to me; a retired IT professional.

 

[Jerramie]

If you have a data plan on your phone, you can easily go over it. I was blown away by the amount of data my xc40 used in a month but i also stream HD and flac files. The 9$ a month (AT&T in Connecticut USA) i would think would be cheaper than going over your monthly data limit but i am not sure.

 

[Homer]

Everything you listed seems to be correct for our gas models. I did purchase a P-SIM from a Canadian carrier and also can use my smartphone's Internet as well. The <Communication> menu allows you to select whichever method you prefer. As stated above, I removed the P-SIM with no smartphone connected and was able to still use the Volvo On Call APP to communicate separately. I don't doubt that our XC40 will choose the best available connection if activated.

Since I use a non-Internet required GPS as well as offline playlist for Amazon Music+, both through Android Auto, I really have yet to find a compelling reason (or application) as to why I need an active Internet connection. Can anyone help to enlighten or educate me? Possibly it's not important to me; a retired IT professional.

I am not an IT professional.

There is a lot of confusion and misinformation regarding data use on the Volvo XC40

If you live in the USA, you do not need a sim card or any data plan.

The internet use is to allow a connection to your ONCALL app. Also, it will connect to your home wifi to allow google app upgrades and any software upgrade. A wifi connection is considered an internet link.

So, any app used on the google app system does not need a data plan.

Any app used from your phone uses the phone data.

Any wifi connection is used to upgrade software and OTA upgrades.

I have no idea what the deal is with Volvo of Canada. But as far as I can tell, the XC 40 recharge does not have a sim card.

 

[CVOLVO.COM]

My apologies Homer. I did not realize this was an exclusive forum thread for P8 Recharge XC40 owners. I tend to see the thread title and chime in. Not only is this my newest Volvo; I do have 52 years of memories (some good; some bad) that I impart when I see fit.

It appears there are many significant differences between the gas and electric vehicles as it relates to the car's automation system. I'll be more careful in the future and thanks for pointing out the differences.

 

[Homer]

Your information regarding the data in the XC40 gasoline model is helpful for international owners.

However, this forum is specifically listed as dedicated to the all electric recharge. I do believe all varieties of the electric XC40, the P8 brand and Recharge Brand, do not require any sim or data plan.