Connected-Drive & 3G services

[X5Sport]

Some members in here will soon start getting letters from BMW informing us that the Connected-Drive functionality in our cars will cease to operate. This could affect some or all of the following:
+ Concierge Services
+ RTTI
+ Emergency Call

If you no longer use Connected-Drive then it won’t matter, but I thought you might want to know.

The reason is the ‘3G Sunset’ now underway worldwide as network operators introduce better 4G & 5G services. In order to make room for these new services, 3G needs to be turned off. BMWs made before 2018 may well have a 3G only (or for even earlier models from the early 2000s even a 2G) modem on board. Both will stop working. This isn’t BMWs decision.

Some models may be able to have their TCU (Telematics Control Unit) or Combox (installed from late 2010 - Option Code SA6VC) replaced with a 4G version, but many won’t and the upgrade is not free.

If affected then you should soon start to receive a letter telling you the score, and whether or not there is anything that can be done to allow you to migrate to 4G. 5G is not currently offered in the UK because what operators advertise as 5G actually isn’t. It’s 4.5G with the signalling on 4G and the data (video etc) on 5G. True 5G is only available in very few places at the moment.