Anything that relies on Trafficmaster for RDS-TMC

Similar to the above, I also had a response from Skoda support:

 

We're sorry to have kept you waiting. We would like to apologies for the delayed response due to an increased volume of requests, we kindly ask you to wait a little while.

 

Our information department is working on the solution in order to provide you with the most accurate and detailed instructions.

 

As soon as we receive further information, we will inform you immediately.

 

Thank you for understanding. 

 

With kind regards,

 

Support for Digital Services ŠKODA AUTO a.s T: 00800 80 247 247 *****@*****.tld, www.skoda-auto.com

 

Load of twaddle if you ask me. Need to keep the pressure on them - and they'll still probably do nothing.

 

1 hour ago, PetrolDave said:

Does it not also affect pre 2015 MIB1 units as these also rely on Trafficmaster TMC for traffic data?

Yes and the MMI3G units before that for which you can still get up to date maps.

 

Just got this reply from Skoda 

 

Dear John Parker,

 

Thank you for bringing this issue to our attention.

 

We are currently still verifying customer complaints regarding the non-functional TMC service, which is affecting all VAG group models.

 

We understand that you rely on this service for your travels, and we apologize for any inconveniences this may have caused.

 

Please be assured that we are addressing this issue with the highest priority.

 

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

 

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

 

With kind regards,

 

Support for Digital Services ŠKODA AUTO a.s T: 00800 80 247 247 *****@*****.tld, www.skoda-auto.com

High priority! Not!

9 minutes ago, johnboy60 said:

We are currently still verifying customer complaints regarding the non-functional TMC service, which is affecting all VAG group models.

 

My god, how long does it take? Step into a random sample of affected vehicles on any of your main dealer lots in the UK and you will replicate the problem.

In addition to the above, I have now received a reply from Ofcom (the Gov UK body responsible for licensing and regulatory requirements for all radio transmissions in the UK).

 

They have confirmed once again that Trafficmaster have ceased TMC broadcasts and that there are no other suppliers in the frame to fill the service vacated by Trafficmaster......

 

 

 

 

Pierina from Ofcom is ill informed when they say:

Quote

new cars don't even have sat navs

as the Octavia 4 has sat nav - oh and not everyone has a smartphone with Waze, Apple Maps, Google Maps etc. or a separate sat nav device.

I have been expecting that sort of answer, next we will have one from VAG group saying no one actually uses RDS-TMC now. 

2 hours ago, NigelR99 said:

I have been expecting that sort of answer, next we will have one from VAG group saying no one actually uses RDS-TMC now. 

And yet just last year INRIX stumped up £20,000 to Ofcom in order to submit their licence renewal bid for the period ending April 2031.

 

And that’s just the price for submitting your bid proposal. There is an annual fee due if you are the winning bidder.  For the previous licence period the per annum fee was £200,000.

8 hours ago, PetrolDave said:

Pierina from Ofcom is ill informed when they say:

as the Octavia 4 has sat nav - oh and not everyone has a smartphone with Waze, Apple Maps, Google Maps etc. or a separate sat nav device.

They have infotainment centres that have sat nav 😂. They are using the Seat dealer retort to why the maps can't be updated, use your phone. Well ofcourse they have moved to connected cars using 4g for the traffic data in those infotainment unit with built in mapping systems.

 

One suspects that if you analysed the car manufacturers they have probably all moved to them on new models and regard TMC as a legacy system pulling the plug early by not funding the provider excluding those that keep Inrix going. 

Edited 6 June, 20232 yr by Tell

10 hours ago, johnboy60 said:

Just got this reply from Skoda 

 

Dear John Parker,

 

Thank you for bringing this issue to our attention.

 

We are currently still verifying customer complaints regarding the non-functional TMC service, which is affecting all VAG group models.

 

We understand that you rely on this service for your travels, and we apologize for any inconveniences this may have caused.

 

Please be assured that we are addressing this issue with the highest priority.

 

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

 

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

 

With kind regards,

 

Support for Digital Services ŠKODA AUTO a.s T: 00800 80 247 247 *****@*****.tld, www.skoda-auto.com

I had a reply from Audi saying that as it was the third party supplier that had ceased to broadcast it then it was nothing to do with them and they would not be doing anything about it. Seems at least Skoda are looking into it and appreciate that it is a VAG wide problem.

 

I smell a mass visit to Milton Keynes in say 2 months time, VW will catch wind and probably issue a statement beforehand

2 minutes ago, Danoid said:

I smell a mass visit to Milton Keynes in say 2 months time, VW will catch wind and probably issue a statement beforehand

Great idea. I will come if it happens.

 

Quote

I had a reply from Audi saying that as it was the third party supplier that had ceased to broadcast it then it was nothing to do with them

 

if YOU had contracted the third party, then yes, BUT it was Audi who contracted a third party to provide the service to YOU. Therefore it IS to do with them.

32 minutes ago, NottsIan said:

 

if YOU had contracted the third party, then yes, BUT it was Audi who contracted a third party to provide the service to YOU. Therefore it IS to do with them.

 

Although Trafficmaster has caused the issue by ceasing its service, it is looking increasingly like either negligence or a conscious decision on VAG's part to not contract with INRIX in advance to ensure continuity of service. Either way, it's on them. 

20 minutes ago, joek666 said:

 

Although Trafficmaster has caused the issue by ceasing its service, it is looking increasingly like either negligence or a conscious decision on VAG's part to not contract with INRIX in advance to ensure continuity of service. Either way, it's on them. 

This is a statement at the bottom of the page when purchasing new maps direct from Audi.

 

• your Audi partner will be happy to inform you about vehicle-specific requirements
• AUDI AG is neither liable nor responsible for the up-to-dateness of the TMC services. The up-to-dateness is influenced by the service providers in the respective countries

They will be using this as a "get out of jail" although it clearly relates to the quality of the service and not the availability of it.

Just sent this to Audi Genuine Accessories who sell the new maps. Let's see what they have to say.

 

I was considering updating my Audi A6 maps to the latest 4G0060884AN version as I am at the moment running the 4G0060884AK ones. However I have noticed that as from the end of March this year Trafficmaster turned off their RDS-TMC services and as a result I and many thousands of Audi and other VAG Group vehicle owners now have a non functioning Dynamic Navigation feature leaving us unaware of hold ups and with no rerouting from the navigation unit to avoid them. I find this feature which was turned off with no notification to owners extremely useful and would like to know if their are any plans to replace it with the INRIX RDS-TMC service which will continue to operate over Classic FM for at least another eight years. If this is the case new maps containing the INRIX location tables and maybe a firmware update will need to be issued. This is a UK only problem which renders the Dynamic Navigation feature useless on our vehicles and it would be pointless for me to spend 199 Euro on new maps with non functioning RDS-TMC. Please advise. 

24 minutes ago, Hillbilly23 said:

 

• AUDI AG is neither liable nor responsible for the up-to-dateness of the TMC services. The up-to-dateness is influenced by the service providers in the respective countries

That covers only whether the data is up-to-date or not, not data suddenly lost due to VAG not subscribing to a service. So if they try to use it as a get out then it's open to a challenge. 

Interesting development ?

 

I tend to keep a regular check on map updates on the Skoda website. The latest (202245) was there a couple of days ago - today? Gone.

 

Maybe, at last, they realise I am no longer due for free updates (66 plate) - or maybe, just maybe........ there's an update coming re TMC. Now, that would be a turn-up for the books!! I'm just being referred to my local dealer.

 

I await any further development.

 

Just sent this to an Audi main dealer pretending to be interested in a car.

 

My last four cars have been Audi and I am considering purchasing another one between 2016 and 2018 Reg. However on my present car the Dynamic Navigation - RDS-TMC feature stopped working at the end of March because the supplier Trafficmaster turned off the service. This affects all VAG Group cars in the UK using RDS=TMC and I wondered if Audi VW were going to switch to the still functioning INRIX RDS-TMC broadcast over Classic FM. I ask this because I do not want to spend many thousands of pounds on a newer vehicle only to find I need to use another device such as phone or Garmin Sat Nav to receive RDS-TMC traffic information.

I have just joined the forum having followed the TMC discussion for some time following the loss of TMC on my 2016 Octavia in April. Having received no sensible answers from customer services, I e-mailed the UK managing director of Skoda and he referred the problem to the executive office in MK. I have hust received the following reply from them:

 

Dear Mr xxx

Thank you for your correspondence dated 01 June 2023 regarding the traffic updates system in your Škoda Octavia.

Firstly, I would like to take this opportunity to apologise for the delay in our response.

Since receiving your email, I can confirm that I have now received an update on the functionality of the traffic updates system in your vehicle. I can confirm that the TMC (Traffic Message Channel) which provided your vehicle with traffic updates has now ceased function.

Should you now wish to receive any traffic updates to your vehicle, this would now need to be done through either Apple Carplay or Android Auto via a mobile device.

As there is no further action that Škoda UK are able to take regarding the removal of the feature, your case will now be closed.

I am really sorry for any inconvenience that this may cause, however, should there be any further information that I am able to provide regarding this feature, please feel free to respond to this email or contact me on 0113 733 4246 and I would be happy to help.

Please note, you may now receive an email survey regarding your experience with Škoda UK. I can confirm this is in relation to your contact with myself and does not reflect on the removal of the TMC from your vehicle.

Kind regards

Not at all encouraging.

As a gesture of goodwill they should activate full link for a short term solution.  But longer term they should provide a solution.= so the infotainment system can display the data.

2 hours ago, JS0 said:

I have just joined the forum having followed the TMC discussion for some time following the loss of TMC on my 2016 Octavia in April. Having received no sensible answers from customer services, I e-mailed the UK managing director of Skoda and he referred the problem to the executive office in MK. I have hust received the following reply from them:

 

Dear Mr xxx

Thank you for your correspondence dated 01 June 2023 regarding the traffic updates system in your Škoda Octavia.

Firstly, I would like to take this opportunity to apologise for the delay in our response.

Since receiving your email, I can confirm that I have now received an update on the functionality of the traffic updates system in your vehicle. I can confirm that the TMC (Traffic Message Channel) which provided your vehicle with traffic updates has now ceased function.

Should you now wish to receive any traffic updates to your vehicle, this would now need to be done through either Apple Carplay or Android Auto via a mobile device.

As there is no further action that Škoda UK are able to take regarding the removal of the feature, your case will now be closed.

I am really sorry for any inconvenience that this may cause, however, should there be any further information that I am able to provide regarding this feature, please feel free to respond to this email or contact me on 0113 733 4246 and I would be happy to help.

Please note, you may now receive an email survey regarding your experience with Škoda UK. I can confirm this is in relation to your contact with myself and does not reflect on the removal of the TMC from your vehicle.

Kind regards

Not at all encouraging.

Similar to the reply I got from Audi. They certainly could do something about it but would rather you purchased a new car as there is money in it for them.

 

I've been watching this thread for a while now and I can't help but wonder if this is not all part of the forth coming great plan to introduce road charging by the mile, time and type of roads used, after all, they can't track you with the current sat nav system, but, start using an an app like Apple Play, or Android Auto and you can be tracked, so is all part of big brother watching us, it makes you wonder if it is all part of a bigger scheme of things.

 

Personally I use a Tom Tom sat nav with lifetime map and speed camera updates which works well when paired with a mobile phone as their system draws information from other Tom Tom users who are using mobiles for updates. They can detect traffic events in real time and display traffic jams on the screen by turning the road red and will if you have an active route in operation, present with an alternative route if it finds one and tell it has another route, and also tell you how much time it will save you. It will also ask you if you want to accept it and then if yes, proceed to direct you around the hold up. I started using that system a few years ago when it got expensive to keep buying new map updates on cd/dvd formats for my old mk2 Superb.

 

EDIT.

Just a thought, does this also affect the SOS system installed in the mk3's?

Edited 8 June, 20232 yr by Graham Butcher