MG ZS EV | Question about the 4G data

[sdeman98]

Hi,
Just got a brand new MG ZS EV Luxury Long Range (2024). I've noticed the car has the function to connect to a WiFi, but the car also has 4G data itself. Another option is the Hotspot from the car itself.

I'm wondering, how does the car gets the internet from the 4G data (when i'm not home)? I am not aware of any additional internet subscription with a SIM card or likewise. Even when i disable the bluetooth and 5G (!) data on my mobile phone, the car still has a working internet connection through 4G.

Its hard to believe the internet i'm getting in the car is for free. It has to come from somewhere?
Good to know, im driving Private Lease and there is nothing mentioned about this in the contract.

I've searched the car manuals, MG websites, but can't find anything about this topic. Also searched this website but not a good answer so far.

Hope to find answers

 

[hmadsen]

Nowadays cars are connected, this means they have a 4G module inside.

The car needs to have phone abilities as this is what's used when it automatically calls emergency services if the car detects a crash.

There is no physical simcard, but the car acutally have a "subscription" and an "e-sim".

So when you buy the car, you are essentially paying a bit extra and the manufacturer have a dataplan for the car that they pay for, but in the end, you paid for as part of the price of the car.

The car needs to be able to call emergency services but also need data for live traffic and OTA updates (If it were to ever receive one).

I even think the "will call emergency services in case of an accident" is part of the laws nowadays if you want to sell a new car in Europe.

If a manufacturer buys subscriptions like this, in bulk and with very small dataplans, they dont pay very many pounds a month.

I also have a Tesla, there the dataplan is only valid for the first 8 years, after that you need to pay Tesla to keep having access.

The emergency calling does not really need a simcard as any device can call 911/112/whatever emergency numbers without it though