LTE/4g and Phone Box

[Adamuk3131]

Just placed an order for S Line (upgrading from my 2012 model). I've opted for the tech pack this time. I've just got a couple questions about the 4g wifi and phone box.

Firstly, I'm right in thinking I can put my EE sim card in the sim tray? I have a MIFI device from EE which is normally in my car. I'm assuming the 4g/LTE modem in the MMI is connected to an external aerial - boasting the 4g signal?

The tech pack comes with Phone Box - which the dealer confused me about. The sales guy said the phone box will boast the phone signal ( again assuming it connects to an external aerial), then he tells me the Audi Connect system uses my phone to push wifi around the car.....So I mention the fact I have an EE sim... he then looks confused and tells me I wont need the SIM card!!

I will need it, I want to use it! I have 15gb on my EE sim and only 1gb on my iphone contract.

So in short, I want to use my EE sim for car data (Audi Connect/google maps etc) and sharing wifi around the car for mrs and kids. I also want to boast the signal of my iphone.

Does the tech pack do all this?

Thanks in advance folks.

[johnsimcox]

Just placed an order for S Line (upgrading from my 2012 model). I've opted for the tech pack this time. I've just got a couple questions about the 4g wifi and phone box.

Firstly, I'm right in thinking I can put my EE sim card in the sim tray? I have a MIFI device from EE which is normally in my car. I'm assuming the 4g/LTE modem in the MMI is connected to an external aerial - boasting the 4g signal?

The tech pack comes with Phone Box - which the dealer confused me about. The sales guy said the phone box will boast the phone signal ( again assuming it connects to an external aerial), then he tells me the Audi Connect system uses my phone to push wifi around the car.....So I mention the fact I have an EE sim... he then looks confused and tells me I wont need the SIM card!!

I will need it, I want to use it! I have 15gb on my EE sim and only 1gb on my iphone contract.

So in short, I want to use my EE sim for car data (Audi Connect/google maps etc) and sharing wifi around the car for mrs and kids. I also want to boast the signal of my iphone.

Does the tech pack do all this?

Thanks in advance folks.

With an iPhone you will need to use your EE SIM as iPhone's do not support rSAP. As to how and what the Phone Box does (or doesn't do) I can't help as I have not yet tried a car with it installed

[wildbore]

According to my understanding, and by reading the MY15 OHB (which I know you won't have seen yet, as you have only just ordered your car):

Your EE sim will go in the SIM slot - that will then connect to the external aerial and give you 4G speeds for all in-car operations such as Audi Connect and also your in-car wifi (from the wifi router built into the car). Your iPhone can go in the Phone Box where it can connect to the car via Handfree profile (as has been said, the iPhone doesn't support rSAP, but that's OK because you have a separate SIM for in-car data). Whilst in the Phone Box, the signal should be boosted by "bringing" the external aerial's signal strength to the phone. Allegedly.

[CharlesElliott]

The iPhone can't accept an external aerial input, so there won't be any signal strength change.

[wildbore]

The iPhone can't accept an external aerial input, so there won't be any signal strength change.

The Phonebox doesn't provide a wired external aerial connection, the phone - any phone - simply needs to be placed inside the phone box (on the target area) for the signal amplification to work. Again, I add the word "allegedly".

(Personally, I leave my phone in my pocket and connect via rSAP. I consider the Audi Phonebox to be a massive rip-off that I only specified because Audi helpfully bundled it with Audi Connect so that I had to have the Phonebox if I wanted the Connect features. Apparently, Audi were making it easier to specify my perfect car.....)

[jtga6]

I to have the phonebox in my Audi A7 BiTurbo Black Edition and the WLAN - I use an iPhone.

Phonebox first - place your iphone in the phonebox and on my A7 the graphic showing signal strength improves - typically by one or two bars.

Audi tech support claims this does not happen - but it does.

My phonebox stopped improving the signal and after the dealer did hours and hours of work (they had my car for 4 weeks in total) Audi CS stated that "stated “the Audi Technical Department have advised that there may not necessarily be a visible increase in the bar signal strength when using the phone box.” - on an iPhone this is not the case - but be aware the signal strength is an average and it may take a few seconds to stabilise.


CS also could not confirm what steps were taken to fix the issue and there is currently not testing tool or software.


The WLAN is great - I have put in an O2 LTE sim and this means that folk in the car can benefit from great wifi - espcially older phones/tablets/laptops that don't support 4G/LTE - but do remember to set up a meaningful name and Wifi Passcode

[wildbore]

...the graphic showing signal strength improves - typically by one or two bars.

Audi tech support claims this does not happen - but it does.

Eh? That's the whole point of Phone Box. What are those Tech people talking about??

My phonebox stopped improving the signal and after the dealer did hours and hours of work (they had my car for 4 weeks in total) Audi CS stated that "stated “the Audi Technical Department have advised that there may not necessarily be a visible increase in the bar signal strength when using the phone box.” - on an iPhone this is not the case - but be aware the signal strength is an average and it may take a few seconds to stabilise.

I found that sometimes it boosts signal and sometimes it doesn't - but overall you get better performance in the box.

Usual questions: You haven't got a cover on your iPhone? You have seated it square on the rubber base? The charging cable isn't lifting the phone? Other than that, I can't think of anything else. Except this is a great opportunity to bitch about Audi pulling wireless charging from the spec of Phone Box. Grrr!

[jtga6]

Audi CS / Tech support said it will not work with the cover on - but wrong again, I have a moshi smart cover - you can answer the phone without opening the full phone cover and it work just fine - the Audi sales guy (Vindis) was superb and he personally checked everything - also the Vindis techs were great - just think the brand is being let down by Audi UK Customer Service / Tech support.

[silky6053]

I have an EE data sim in the dash socket and an iPhone 6. The iPhone is in a leather case and when I put it in the phone box I get an additional 1 or 2 bars. Every time. The data connection works perfectly and I have my tablet connected to the wi-fi. Additionally the iPhone connects to the wi-fi and uses the dash sim for data rather than using the phone data allowance. I think iPhone 5s onwards supports wi-fi calling. If that is switched on the phone will connect through the car LTE data sim and make and receive phone calls through the wi-fi connection using the car aerials for excellent performance. Although it will come from your phone minutes. If switched off it will make calls via the phone sim.
Glynn