On the similar VW Discover Pro online traffic information and other online services are available through on board SIM card or pairing with phone. Any chance we could see this as a future firmware update to the Columbus?

Ref. http://volkswagen-carnet.com/int/en/start/online-devices/mod_trafficinfo.html#tab/open/requirement

I doubt something like this will come as a free update.

If introduced it will probably only be included as a new feature on a new model year or facelift. (i.e you have to buy a new car to get it).

 

My current Columbus includes live traffic information already though.

I guess its through the radio rather than "internet" connected services but I can't say I've driven into any traffic to really test out whether the information is accurate.

The live traffic info on  Columbus seems pretty good. My morning commute takes me close to the M6, and more often than not the Columbus map has the southbound carriageway shaded in red. Sure enough, I can see the traffic standing still or moving very slowly on the motorway.

There is an extra SIM card slot between the two SD card slots on the internet connected Discover Pro units, so it is slightly different hardware.

Gather its only available on some Golfs and the e-Up at the moment and seemingly not in the UK