Should I turn Hot Spot off? Is it necessary?

[Atmj]

I'm wondering if I should turn the Hot Spot off? Is it necessary to always have it on? Does it need to be on to receive OTA updates? Thanks!

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[HuntingPudel]

The hot spot is only necessary if your car is subscribed to the data package and you or passengers are using its data instead of your phone’s data. The car has a separate data connection for updating software and reporting status to Ford. Since I am too cheap to pay for the data package and use my phone’s data package, I have my hot spot turned off. ??

 

[RickMachE]

You're probably one of a dozen people that pay for it...

 

[Atmj]

so i should probably turn it off?

 

[Runningslow]

Make that a dozen and one. I use Mint Mobile for $240/yr. I also get the AT&T internet service in the MME at $200/yr. After taxes and fees for both services, let's round it up to $40/mo. Still cheaper than paying any of the big 3 wireless providers for a single line and my daughter can use Wi-Fi for her tablet on road trips.

 

[generaltso]

so i should probably turn it off?

Are you paying for it?

 

[AliRafiee]

so i should probably turn it off?

You have to realize what a hotspot is.
say you’re using your laptop outside your house and there is no WiFi around that you can use.
what you can do is turn on hotspot on your phone, which makes your phone a WiFi router that your laptop can connect to just like any other WiFi.

so, hotspot being on in your car, makes your car a big WiFi router that people with the password can connect to to use the internet.

But, if you’re not paying Ford for Connected services, it doesn’t matter. Your car is not connected to the internet.

without this, the hotspot is useless.

 

[generaltso]

Premium Connectivity is actually a separate subscription and not included with Hot Spot.

 

[AliRafiee]

Premium Connectivity is actually a separate subscription and not included with Hot Spot.

Where did you come up with that?

https://www.ford.com/technology/connected-services/connectivity-package/

I think I found the answer.
https://myvehicle.att.com/#/ford/learn?country=US&language=en

 

[Snakebitten]

I'm one of the dozen that has every connected service available?
(for both my Ford FNV vehicles, except Sirius/XM)

For the Mach-E:

Oops, I did NOT subscribe to Bluecruise after the 90 day trial since I am rarely in the Mach-E for Bluecruise travel.

What isn't listed in the Ford Connected Services is the AT&T $200 annual payment for unlimited data.

Similar for the F150 Powerboost, except I will renew Bluecruise if/when I am on a significant trip.

I personally think the AT&T subscription (onboard Wi-Fi Hotspot) is a good value equation for me because it affords me the use of a Sim-less phone (free) to display the OBD PID monitoring, media streaming (eg Spotify), and even Android Auto if I choose to. Not to mention the laptop internet connectivity I use daily during mobile office tasks.

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