Consumer Cellular Versus AT&T for Connected Services?

[Lytning]

My original 3 year "complimentary" Ford Connected Services cellular data plan will expire in mid-July. I currently utilize Consumer Cellular as my personal mobile phone and data provider. Consumer Cellular operates on the AT&T network, and I can add an extra Consumer Cellular line for $15 per month.

I attempted today to determine if I could utilize Consumer Cellular in lieu of AT&T for my Lightning's BlueCruise and Ford Navigation Connected Services after my current plan expires. I worked through Ford Connected Services, Technical Support and In-Vehicle Technologies departments to try to get an answer. Most people I talked with did not have a clue as to what I was asking. The last person I spoke with in In-Vehicle Technologies understood the question, but his answer was that Ford and AT&T had a partnership regarding Connected Services. I stated that, although I did not understand the intricacies of Ford data communications, I expected that any cellular service provider would work. I used the analogy of placing a cellular call from one telephone number to another, and how that works with any cellular provider on each end. He could not provide a reason as to why it would not work. I asked if he could escalate the question, and he said there was no one to escalate it to.

Does anyone here on the forum have additional information on this topic?

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[SmoothJ]

The APIM (e)SIM is tied to ATT directly under Ford's account. While certain things you can pay for (ie in-car hotspot) other things you can't pay directly.

I just checked though, and the Connected Services (ie Premium Connectivity ) is $10 a month. So that would be less than the $15.

 

[Athrun88]

Up in Canada, the in-vehicle wifi is serviced by Bell Canada through a partnership with Ford. My assumption is that the hardware (SIM card possibly) is keyed specifically for the service provider ao it might be the same for our friends in the US. It may or may not be reprogrammed or swapped if the partnership changes in the future, but not sure if it's something you can do yourself. If someone has that information, that would be great since I would love to swap it out for a different provider who doesn't gouge us for mobile data.

 

[Jesse-Infotainment]

If you have a ATT post paid account its $7.50 a month

 

[Maquis]

You don’t need a premium connectivity subscription for the nav or BlueCruise to function.

 

[Lytning]

You don’t need a premium connectivity subscription for the nav or BlueCruise to function.

The Ford In-Vehicle Technologies representative stated that basic FordPass Connectivity (I assume for vehicle data and software update communications) was free, and that BlueCruise and Ford Navigation requires an active Connected Services subscription. There is also a Premium Connectivity subscription for video streaming and additional services.

 

[bmwhitetx]

My original 3 year "complimentary" Ford Connected Services cellular data plan will expire in mid-July. I currently utilize Consumer Cellular as my personal mobile phone and data provider. Consumer Cellular operates on the AT&T network, and I can add an extra Consumer Cellular line for $15 per month.

Does anyone here on the forum have additional information on this topic?

I think your question is answered but I'll just add there was not a 3-year complimentary cellular data plan. There was a 3-month trial for what Ford called Premium Connectivity which is only needed if using the Sync media apps like YouTube or streaming music. Premium Connectivity is not needed for OTA's, navigation or BC.

In 2022, the three-year complimentary Connected Services were for Connected Navigation and BlueCruise. Many 2022 owners recently received an offer to extend BC for an extra year at no cost.

You can see the status / end dates of all your Connected Services options by going to www.ford.com/myaccount/connected-services. Or use the FordPass app.

 

[Maquis]

The Ford In-Vehicle Technologies representative stated that basic FordPass Connectivity (I assume for vehicle data and software update communications) was free, and that BlueCruise and Ford Navigation requires an active Connected Services subscription. There is also a Premium Connectivity subscription for video streaming and additional services.

There is something lost in translation.
For BlueCruise, you need a BlueCruise subscription, nothing more. Same for connected navigation. I guess you could consider those ”Connected Services” subscription. You do not need the separate “Premium Connectivity“ subscription.

 

[Yubbs]

Can you use Consumer Cellular with a hotspot that permanently stays in the truck? Only thing I dont know is if the truck stays connected 24/7 to wifi. I see mine connect and disconnect from the home wifi through out the day.

 

[astrand1]

The APIM (e)SIM is tied to ATT directly under Ford's account. While certain things you can pay for (ie in-car hotspot) other things you can't pay directly.

I just checked though, and the Connected Services (ie Premium Connectivity ) is $10 a month. So that would be less than the $15.

I don’t think premium connectivity includes the hotspot does it. My understanding is the hotspot is a separate deal.

 

[Yubbs]

I don’t think premium connectivity includes the hotspot does it. My understanding is the hotspot is a separate deal.

I meant a separate physical hotspot that you get from consumer cellular or somewhere. Not the built in one.

 

[astrand1]

I meant a separate physical hotspot that you get from consumer cellular or somewhere. Not the built in one.

According to AI it is which I highly doubt but if it did then the $10/month is not a bad deal.

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