Ford Remote Access RMU --- Dark after 12/31?

[thefranchise713]

Had a thought today as I've been catching up on some wireless industry news: ATT is planning to shut down their 2G GSM network at end of year, and as far as I know, T-Mobile long since has. Verizon is doing something similar with their CDMA infastructure, but not until 2019.

I'm pretty sure our RMUs are based on GSM. Are they going dark on 12/31 or have I missed something?

Edit: NVM, answered my own question. The RMU is at least 3G based, so it'll stay alive. Sorry!

 

[ls973800]

My 2015 Ford C-Max Energi has a 2G modem which as you pointed out is being shut down. Ford issued a service action which allowed a new 3G modem to be installed. I had that done last week so am all set.

I don't know if older Explorers have the 2G modem, but would think they would be eligible for the new 3G if still under warranty, or if the time frame has been extended.

 

[Sgt1411]

Last week they added a 3G modem in a 2015 model?.........I didnt think you could even buy one now.....

If its just the OEM Accessory Remote Cell Kit there is actually no modem in the vehicle, the cellular SIM is inside the RMU module thats acting as the modem for connection to the wireless network.

They may have updated the RMU module portion of the Remote Start Kit.

The world is on 4G LTE 2 with 5G not that far away. Im surprised by that move, kinda like buying a VCR now. Up in Canada the networks arent doing much to enhance 3G they are simply supporting the existing infrastructure until it is shut down.

How many years has GM had 4G LTE available now?

 

[ls973800]

Last week they added a 3G modem in a 2015 model?.........I didnt think you could even buy one now.....

If its just the OEM Accessory Remote Cell Kit there is actually no modem in the vehicle, the cellular SIM is inside the RMU module thats acting as the modem for connection to the wireless network.

They may have updated the RMU module portion of the Remote Start Kit.

The world is on 4G LTE 2 with 5G not that far away. Im surprised by that move, kinda like buying a VCR now. Up in Canada the networks arent doing much to enhance 3G they are simply supporting the existing infrastructure until it is shut down.

How many years has GM had 4G LTE available now?

Here is the Field Service Action or TSB (whatever it is called) that owner's of Ford C-Max and Ford Fusion Energis and Hybrids are receiving It is FSA #15N04 and specifically says Embedded Modum Replacement. It also covers Lincoln MKC and MKX models which actually received the letter around the beginning of the year. Ford letters were received about 2 months or so ago. Not sure what other Fords or Lincolns may need the modem replaced.

http://www.mkcforum.com/forum/attac...d-modem-replacement-lincoln-letter-page-1.jpg

 

[thefranchise713]

Canada's doing something kind of weird, but consistent with how CDMA is operating: Killing 3G before 2G. There's no true 3G CDMA, so they're taking out the high speed data, leaving voice and low speed data before pulling it out.

It's kind of interesting--there are a lot of Internet of Things devices, including vehicles, that are perfectly content and useful on 2/3G technologies. Nothing in MyFord Mobile really requires anything better than a 2G connection but for the impending network shutdown.

 

[Sgt1411]

Here is the Field Service Action or TSB (whatever it is called) that owner's of Ford C-Max and Ford Fusion Energis and Hybrids are receiving It is FSA #15N04 and specifically says Embedded Modum Replacement. It also covers Lincoln MKC and MKX models which actually received the letter around the beginning of the year. Ford letters were received about 2 months or so ago. Not sure what other Fords or Lincolns may need the modem replaced.

http://www.mkcforum.com/forum/attac...d-modem-replacement-lincoln-letter-page-1.jpg

Thats really interesting because as you say they reference internal vehicle modem, not part of any RMU, so it must have a cellular modem. Yet the new Ford Connect Program is saying 4G LTE connectivity, so perhaps they cant upgrade legacy vehicles because antennas and other components may need the same update.

In Canada the carriers say they will continue to maintain 3G but no expansion or new sites, 4G LTE and 4G LTE2 are now the standard for most devices anyway. SYNC3 grabs my iPhone 7 Hotspot and uses the 4G.

 

[thefranchise713]

I wish I could have a chat with an engineer who developed the RMU. I suspect it is nothing more than a box for exchanging text messages--after all, what more need it really be? Turn the car on, stop it, alert if the alarm goes off, extend time, nothing really advanced.

Guessing there's more information going over the air for the MyFord Mobile cars with a "modem," which itself is a poor term as there's nothing analog about anything there... AMPS was dead a decade ago.

 

[Sgt1411]

I think Jason has opened one up so he knows.....likely a cell radio and GPS radio.

Years ago I had the discussion some of the MFT Engineers about the reason why Ford wasnt ever going to try and compete with GM's On* system. "Why would we duplicate a phone system the driver already has in their smartphone, we will just leverage that modem"

That didn't work too well for Ford, and now we have the new direction call Ford Connect.

Maybe SYNC3 vehicles can retro fit that Ford Connect 4G modem soon!

 

[thefranchise713]

So a few people here have noted that the connectivity seems a bit weak lately on the Remote Access enabled vehicles. This month it seems like I've had spottier coverage--sometimes commands don't land or don't confirm.

ATT's 2G shutdown was in the past month, so I can't help but wonder if I've lost the good ATT coverage for so-so T-Mo coverage (only other roaming partner I can think of right now who still has 2G GSM) and that these RMUs really were only 2G to start with.

 

[Sgt1411]

So a few people here have noted that the connectivity seems a bit weak lately on the Remote Access enabled vehicles. This month it seems like I've had spottier coverage--sometimes commands don't land or don't confirm.

ATT's 2G shutdown was in the past month, so I can't help but wonder if I've lost the good ATT coverage for so-so T-Mo coverage (only other roaming partner I can think of right now who still has 2G GSM) and that these RMUs really were only 2G to start with.

Ya mine is now consistently giving me the connectivity error message, I would have thought this was a 3G connection but Canada has all 2G gone by March so if they don't have an upgrade path we are screwed.

I emailed SpinDance Telematics Services several weeks ago but the Customer Support is non-existant.

Those of us with this feature need to be calling 1-800-Ford Key or Spindance to get some action.

 

[jmr061]

IC ID: 8595A-LISAU200 / 8595ALISAU200


Model: LISA-U200
Company Number: 8595A
Company Name: u-blox
Certification Number: 8595A-LISAU200
Approval Date: 2012-02-14
Type of Radio Equipment: Cellular Mobile GSM (824-849 MHz) Cellular Mobile New Technologies (824-849 MHz) Modular Approval PCS Mobile (1850-1910 MHz)
Equipment Type: Radio Equipment (RE)
Certified By: Cetecom Ict Services Gmbh

 

[thefranchise713]

Digging around on the LISA-U200... definitely a HSPA unit. Phew. Well, the mystery deepens, then.

 

[Sgt1411]

US WIRELESS FREQUENCY LIST

CARRIER NETWORK 3G BANDS 3G FREQUENCIES 4G LTE BANDS 4G LTE FREQUENCIES

AT&T GSM/UMTS/HSPA+ 2, 5 1900, 850 2, 4, 12, 17 1900, 1700 abcde, 700 bc

VERIZON CDMA 0, 1 850, 1900 2, 4, 13 1900, 1700 f, 700 c

T-MOBILE GSM/UMTS/HSPA+ 2, 4 1900, 1700/2100 2, 4, 12 1900, 1700 def, 700 a

SPRINT CDMA 10, 1 800, 1900 25, 26, 41 1900 g, 850, 2500

US CELLULAR CDMA 0, 1 850, 1900 5, 12 850, 700 ab


CANADIAN WIRELESS FREQUENCY LIST

Telus (including Koodo)

2G
CDMA 850/1900
EVDO 850/1900

3G (and fake 4G)
HSDPA 850/1900
HSPA+ 850/1900
UMTS 850/1900
WCDMA 850/1900
1x EV-DO CDMA2000

4G (called 4G+)
LTE 1700/2100

Bell (including Virgin Mobile, PC Mobility)

2G
CDMA 850/1900
EVDO 850/1900

3G (and fake 4G)
HSDPA 850/1900
HSPA+ 850/1900
UMTS 850/1900
WCDMA 850/1900
1x EV-DO CDMA2000

4G
LTE 1700

Rogers (including Fido, Petro-Canada Mobility)

2G
GSM 850/1900
GPRS 850/1900
EDGE 850/1900

3G (and fake 4G)
HSDPA 850/1900
HSPA+ 850/1900
UMTS 850/1900
WCDMA 850/1900

4G
LTE 1700

Telus (including Koodo)

2G
CDMA 850/1900
EVDO 850/1900

3G (and fake 4G)
HSDPA 850/1900
HSPA+ 850/1900
UMTS 850/1900
WCDMA 850/1900
1x EV-DO CDMA2000

4G (called 4G+)
LTE 1700/2100

Bell (including Virgin Mobile, PC Mobility)

2G
CDMA 850/1900
EVDO 850/1900

3G (and fake 4G)
HSDPA 850/1900
HSPA+ 850/1900
UMTS 850/1900
WCDMA 850/1900
1x EV-DO CDMA2000

4G
LTE 1700

Rogers (including Fido, Petro-Canada Mobility)

2G
GSM 850/1900
GPRS 850/1900
EDGE 850/1900

3G (and fake 4G)
HSDPA 850/1900
HSPA+ 850/1900
UMTS 850/1900
WCDMA 850/1900

4G
LTE 1700

 

[david1068]

I just purchased a 2017 Platinum and was wondering if the new Ford Smart Link will work with my vehicle. The article says "Ford Motor Company now offers a new platform for owners of 2010 to 2016 model-year Ford and Lincoln vehicles not equipped with a modern access to a wide array of connectivity features". Mine doesn't have Ford Pass or a modem I believe.

 

[Sgt1411]

I have been corresponding with SpinDance Tech Support they are telling me, I'm, the only one complaining of this issue so it's me, not their connectivity. Can I ask that anyone else experiencing these iOS 10 or Android error messages on the Remote Start App please submit a trouble ticket so we get some action from the support people.


https://spindancesupport.zendesk.com/hc/en-us

 

[Sgt1411]

So Spindance Support finally replied today.

They were aware of the issues and stated they have made some changes and pushed out some updates to the system today.

They asked that I test the Remote Access App to see if the errors continue.

So far today I do not see any error messages.

Anyone else seeing improvements?

 

[thefranchise713]

Yesterday I tried a couple of times and while it was slow, I didn't see any failures. Will keep you posted.