I was curious to see the following message regarding the Care Connect subscription service. Would this suggest that, at least,  some of the earlier Mk 4s only have a 3G SIM card installed, and once the UK completes switching off the 3G network this will leave our cars less connected to the outside world?  If this is the case that would suggest no more OTA map updates, software updates, remote access for statistics, locked car status etc. I would be surprised if Skoda has only fitted 3G SIMs as the roadmap for 3G network to be switched off has been established for a long time.

 

This is a bit of a concern, and somewhat shortsighted of Skoda if this is the case. I've just checked the portal, and for Care Connect it shows the same warning as you are receiving. Yet for Infotainment Online it does not, and I'd think that if one cannot work, then the other cannot either.

 

 

Interesting, so does this mean the government mandated SOS module will no longer function as this surely uses the mobile network?

21 minutes ago, Neily03 said:

Interesting, so does this mean the government mandated SOS module will no longer function as this surely uses the mobile network?

Good point, it’s confusing that the warning only appears on Care Connect. 

20 minutes ago, spcdust said:

Good point, it’s confusing that the warning only appears on Care Connect. 

 

I also believe that the SOS functionality has to work for 10 years after the vehicles' first registration. There's a few articles on-line about it. This is the best I can find relating to Skoda after a brief search: Link to Skoda Storyboard

 

I think it will be interesting to see if owners of 2022/2023 cars are seeing the same message in the on-line shop.

Edited 4 December, 20241 yr by JamesK
add point about 2022/2023 car owners

Just prolonged my care connect, had no notifications that it is going to stop working in 2026. It was only cheaper for some reason. My car is early 2020. Who knows, Skoda may throw out a surprise later still.

7 minutes ago, Edela said:

Just prolonged my care connect, had no notifications that it is going to stop working in 2026. It was only cheaper for some reason. My car is early 2020. Who knows, Skoda may throw out a surprise later still.

Yes I noticed both services were cheaper at the moment. I'm wondering if you can 'stack' subscriptions, so the new one taking effect after the current subscription expires. Mine doesn't expire until next September.

22 minutes ago, JamesK said:

Yes I noticed both services were cheaper at the moment. I'm wondering if you can 'stack' subscriptions, so the new one taking effect after the current subscription expires. Mine doesn't expire until next September.

 

I have just renewed Skoda Care Connect as it's currently discounted, which was originally due to expire on 10 February 2025, and it's stacked the subscription so now expires 10th February 2026.

Edited 4 December, 20241 yr by spcdust

57 minutes ago, JamesK said:

 

I

I think it will be interesting to see if owners of 2022/2023 cars are seeing the same message in the on-line shop.

Mine is a 2023 and I do get the same message 

1 minute ago, Neily03 said:

Mine is a 2023 and I do get the same message 

You would definitely expect a 2023 model to have a 4G SIM and, tbh, a 2020 Mk4 as well.  I wonder if in actual fact it’s a global message but, in reality,  only applies to certain age vehicles. For example possibly Mk3 Octavia’s could conceivably only have 3G Sims installed?
 

Skoda making things clear as mud.

I just accessed it via the app and yes I can confirm that I get the same message and I have a MY23 car. I'm not paying £30 for something that's not going to last a year or so

4 minutes ago, TheWanderer said:

I just accessed it via the app and yes I can confirm that I get the same message and I have a MY23 car. I'm not paying £30 for something that's not going to last a year or so

Despite its wording, I suspect the message might be generic as there is no way that any car produced in the last 2 years and, more likely, longer, would only have a 3G SIM installed when there has been a well-established road map to switch off the 3G network.

Does the car not have an e-sim installed? E-sim is universaly compatible and suports from 2G to 5G LTE....and in Skoda Cubic Telecom offers there is mention of 3G and LTE speeds for download 3G 7Mbps and LTE 20Mbps.
Also the car models mentioned are from 2020, maybe older cars dont have LTE, only 3G. 

 

 

 

Br

Djadjo 

According to Ofcom, here in the UK some providers have already turned off their 3G networks, others scheduled to do so by early 2025. Also, they plan to cease 2G services by 2033 but as yet no planned dates. 

 

Don't know much about how the  SOS module works buy guess it may get away with a 2G service for a voice call and maybe sending location; but Škoda Connect Services I reckon would need higher bandwidth than 2G offers (a mere 40kbps).

 

I have emailed my dealer to ask if they can shed any light on the question.

9 minutes ago, SteveTheElder said:

 

I have emailed my dealer to ask if they can shed any light on the question.

I would lay money down that they will have not the foggiest idea🤣🤣

Edited 4 December, 20241 yr by spcdust

For downloads you could always connect to a WiFi source - which would be of no use for the SOS function.

My enyaq uses Lte

 

 

LTE was first used in 2015 in Columbus systems according to the storyboard

 

We’ve all heard of 4G and 5G in cellular network technology. But you may have seen the term “4G LTE” and wondered, what does LTE stand for? The short answer is that LTE stands for “Long Term Evolution” and it is most commonly used in connection with 4G, the fourth-generation global wireless communication standard that was first defined in 2008.

 

https://www.digi.com/blog/post/what-is-lte

This will be an issue for charging my iV. OVO needs access to be able to control when to charge so I get the 7p rate. 

According to this there are 3 LTE antennas in the Octavia MK4, one in the roof and two behind the rear bumper… 

 

https://www.skoda-storyboard.com/en/skoda-world/innovation-and-technology/this-is-your-car-can-you-hear-me/

Edited 4 December, 20241 yr by Neily03

2019

 

 

The SCALA is the first ŠKODA to be always online thanks to an eSIM built-in as standard; it is also the first of the brand’s cars to come with the latest generation of mobile online services, including individual Infotainment Apps for various online options and extra functions. Using the eSIM, the SCALA establishes a high-speed, LTE Internet connection, meaning there is no longer any need for an additional SIM card or a tethered connection via a smartphone. In the SCALA, the eSIM supports the functionality of eCall and Proactive Service. Mandatory in the EU, eCall automatically makes an emergency call in the event of an accident, but it can also be activated manually at any time. If an accident occurs, Proactive Service relays the vehicle’s position as well as information about its status, for example. Apart from that, it can keep the ŠKODA SCALA in contact with the garage, allowing service notifications to be relayed, service appointments to be scheduled or relevant data to be transmitted in the event of a breakdown. Each time the ignition is switched off; the Vehicle Health Report function now automatically saves all of the information about the condition of the SCALA, which can be accessed via the ŠKODA Connect app. There is no limit to the number of reports that can be accessed each month. Via Info Call, a ŠKODA hotline can be reached at any time for questions about the car. The navigation maps can now also be updated automatically ‘over the air’, as frequently as desired. There is therefore no need to visit a garage.

 

https://www.skoda-storyboard.com/en/press-kits/skoda-scala/always-online-with-esim-skoda-connect-infotainment-apps-and-enhanced-voice-control/

Edited 4 December, 20241 yr by Stonekeeper

9 hours ago, spcdust said:

I would lay money down that they will have not the foggiest idea🤣🤣

So, it seems I get to keep your money 😜

 

Reply from dealer, they reckon the Octy 4 has indeed got a 4G compatible eSIM.

15 minutes ago, SteveTheElder said:

So, it seems I get to keep your money 😜

 

Reply from dealer, they reckon the Octy 4 has indeed got a 4G compatible eSIM.

So what to make of the message regarding Skoda Care Connect?  Just seems non sensical - if the Octavia has 4G then you would assume it would also have LTE connectivity as they are so closely related.

Is it not replaced by the myskoda app?

6 minutes ago, Stonekeeper said:

Is it not replaced by the myskoda app?

Care Connect is the subscription service that allows certain remote functionality and data exchange between car and My Skoda App.