AT&T Wifi Connect

The three month trial is almost over on my 2023 ORP and I'm getting a notice that I need to subscribe to continue the AT&T Wifi Connect Service. I already have an unlimited Verizon data plan, my wife doesn't need internet while we are driving, and a lot of spots between Durango and Denver don't even have cell service in the mountains anyway so why would I want to spend $15-$25 per month for this service? Am I missing something here? What do you guys use AT&T Wifi Connect for? TIA

 

In the Limited and Pro Bro, it gives you remote start and lock functionality from your phone through the app. Otherwise I'm not sure what it does for the others.

 

It's largely useless. I have unlimited data on my phone along with tethering. It think it's for people that aren't tech savvy and don't really know what's going on

 

I haven't continue the wifi service. I use my T-mobile hot spot in city when needed. My kids tab has movies stored locally.

I just pay for;

1. Remote connect to start the vehicle from phone and few other features,
2. Safety connect to locate the vehicle if got stolen
3. Dynamic Navigation to update the maps on headunit. (new stupid 2020+ headunit don't have the map memory card where you can buy from Toyota / Amazon, having to pay monthly / yearly )

Edit -
I'm in CO as well. So cellular service is useless very quickly outside city.

 

You do not need the ATT WiFi plan (called Wi-Fi Connect) for Remote Start or access to the remote features in the App. Those are a function of the pay-for service called "Remote Connect."

There are 3 pay-for services available for your Limited. Here's a brief overview:

1. Remote Connect (runs your app-based remote start, door unlock, etc. - your FOB will open and start the truck whether or not this is active).
2. Wi-Fi Connect (the ATT Hotspot) - which is for portable gaming and streaming, etc.
3. Safety Connect (equivalent to OnStar) - push the SOS button in the roof control panel for roadside assistance, etc. for a live agent to help. Automatically activates if an airbag deploys.

We keep 1 and 3 active. But never saw a need for 2. But, if we had kids who were streaming Netflix or gaming, we might do it.

 

Why bother with the dynamic navigation when you have car play and android auto on the headunit

 

I can only really see it being useful for road-warriors or families with Wi-Fi only equipment - assuming the system doesn't automatically time out like tethering on a phone may.

Otherwise I'd say goodbye to it, I recommend taking the extra step to call in (with the SOS button, have VIN handy) to disable the telematics system if you don't plan on using the app/other cellular features in the headunit to keep just a bit more of your privacy.

 

I don't trust google maps for long drives. I prefer locally stored maps. Google only allows small area of offline maps. (my phone has plenty of storage if Google allows.

Also I have faced google maps got laggy and missed my turns. Even this Saturday. I didn't have another camera to record it. In short say I have to turn at a traffic light in say 1000ft and screen shows I have more to go. When I reach to the traffic light all of a sudden it says turn now. At that point its too late. I cannot reproduce all the time. But have faced it 3 or 4 times now. May be because the phone is down or due to snowy conditions have less gps signal? No idea.

Edit - After I see this issue on headunit I just unplug the cable from the headunit and just use the maps on phone. No lag when its unplugged.