Are there ways around using AT&T

[Caballus]

Hotspot activation requires an AT&T data plan. Anyone know a way to make the modem work with a carrier other than AT&T?

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[FreePenguin]

probably not possible.

 

[Caballus]

probably not possible.

My fingers are crossed that it actually is possible. Mustangs throughout Europe are able to use their hotspots, though AT&T does not exist here. So, it seems like it would be a matter of reprogramming the modem somehow.

 

[zero_chance]

Unaware myself, but I am fairly surprised they chose to go with AT&T.

 

[Caballus]

Unaware myself, but I am fairly surprised they chose to go with AT&T.

Surprised Ford chose to go with AT&T? Can't speak to that, but unfortunately it's a limitation when in the U.S. Bell Canada for Canada. Similar in Mexico. Varies across Europe. So, trying to figure out how to make a U.S. built spec usable in Europe.

 

[eddison]

No, it’s not possible.

If you have the ability to write and flash a custom firmware to the modem (if you have this ability, I know lots of people who want to talk to you), and are also friends with an engineer at a different cell company who is willing to risk their job by allowing the ESN onto the network, then you might be able to make it connect to the network, and then you still have the whole other task of getting it to communicate to and authenticate with Ford’s servers.

US carriers are much stricter than European carriers as far as what they allow in their networks, which is why you see more flexibility with European models.

Much of Europe also operates on separate bands for cellular, so you can’t just take a US modem to Europe and expect it to work, and vice versa.

 

[Caballus]

No, it’s not possible.

If you have the ability to write and flash a custom firmware to the modem (if you have this ability, I know lots of people who want to talk to you), and are also friends with an engineer at a different cell company who is willing to risk their job by allowing the ESN onto the network, then you might be able to make it connect to the network, and then you still have the whole other task of getting it to communicate to and authenticate with Ford’s servers.

US carriers are much stricter than European carriers as far as what they allow in their networks, which is why you see more flexibility with European models.

Much of Europe also operates on separate bands for cellular, so you can’t just take a US modem to Europe and expect it to work, and vice versa.

Thanks. Makes sense. However, found out Ford's partnership in Europe is with Vodafone, so not giving up yet. I recognize the U.S. and Europe are on different bands, since GSM is standard in Europe but not in the U.S. Fortunately, most phones are now tri-band (or better). Hoping the same is true of the modem in the car. If so, then the next step is figuring out if it's simply a matter of SIM. I do not plan to put anyone at risk. I plan to involve Ford. If it can't be done then so be it.

 

[dgc333]

FWIW, AT&T is GSM in the US.

 

[Nagare]

I doubt there's a physical SIM in the car at all, probably more of an entire module / component that needs to be replaced with a Euro spec one. Where it's located and the cost to do such, I have no idea on.

 

[Caballus]

I doubt there's a physical SIM in the car at all, probably more of an entire module / component that needs to be replaced with a Euro spec one. Where it's located and the cost to do such, I have no idea on.

Trying to find the module as well. Once found, whether it's a matter of replacing the modem (or SIM) that's probably the easy part. Another challenge may come in if it's linked to the NAV system. Still digging.

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