Redd

" Audi is lame for trying to make a proprietary system that doesn't allow us to use our own SIM' for data "

Well, no. I think what you're not seeing, and from what I've been able to find out, snagit has this wrong as well, is that T-Mobile and AT&T have moved to different systems and they are only "compatible" up to 2G service on data.

To make that worse, AT&T is discontinuing their 2G networks starting in 2016 or 2017, and they've already stopped selling some devices (like the Garmin tracker) that use the 2G network, because of this.

So you're probably "required" to use a T-Mob SIM, however you get it, because Audi issuing a T-Mob specific 3G/4G (not LTE, but plain fake 4G) data service for the MMI. And if you are using your own SIM and not Audi's plan, it may very well be using T-Mob's 2G service, not even 3G data.

None of the cell carriers openly discusses this stuff and many of their staff even get it wrong. I just went through this with T-Mob, and got a call back from their CEO's office last week apologizing about it.

Icing on the cake is that there is no true 4G service in the US, what is often called "4G-ish" doesn't even meet the ITU standards for 3G, the ITU issued new standards in a hurry to block a massive class action suit in the US about 2 years ago. And while our 4G/LTE is really 4G/LTE, the carriers are using different bands and frequencies, incompatible with each other AND with international bands as well.

Pick your device, pick your plan, you can't swappie-swappie if you want more than 2G service on anything these days unless you have picked very very carefully from a rare few choices.

That's supposed to change in a few years, with an upcoming FCC auction for "common access" in yet another new band. You can bet the industry will find a way to charge extra for that, too.

snagitseven

Not sure I'm necessarily wrong. The latest gen cellular iPad Air is using unisex, multiband frequencies which is why my T-Mobile free data sim is working as I write this with my "AT&T" iPad in LTE, 3G HSPA+ (4G) or 2G Edge, depending on signal strength and location. Apple may call a celluar versioned iPad "AT&T" "Verizon" or "T-Mobile" out of the box but with a new sim card, they are interchangeable. This would support the hypothesis that one of the reasons T-Mobile is offering the 200 mb free data tablet program is to attract more customers from other carriers, i.e. AT&T and Verizon.

http://gigaom.com/2013/10/22/one-ipa...s-new-tablets/

iPad Air cellular specs:

• UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
• CDMA EV-DO Rev. A and Rev. B (800, 1900 MHz)
• LTE (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26)

feralc

The confusion is because AT&T sims only work in the MMI in the 2G band, but Tmobile SIM cards DO work on 3G bands on IPads (regardless if they are AT&T or Verizon)
Regarding A6ninja's SIM card still working with the MMI, just like I posted in post 66 with AudiA4B6us sim, my guess is the Tmobile system sees existing customers (post paid) differently than pre paid customers like me.

Redd

snagit-
You've got a point there. Some Apple products, when bought directly from Apple, support multiple carriers and they are usually not the same as "the same" device bought from a carrier. (Slightly different model numbers from different sources.)
Devices bought directly from the Google Play Store, i.e. "developer's edition" also often support multiple carriers when "the same" phone doesn't when bought from the carriers.

There's all sorts of fun and games that they play, in order to confuse the public and maximize profits.

What's in which specific Audi (model & year) and what it can or can't support...I don't know. Heck, T-Mob couldn't even tell me how to get the "free 200MB for tablets" plan that they offer. Laptop, sure. Phone, sure. Tablet? Uh, gee...

But that's OK, just try BUYING a tablet, with cellular ability, without buying it branded and locked for and from one carrier. (Like AT&T, who will gladly sell you a two year old version of the Note 10, but don't carry the 2014 model yet. Anywhere at all.)

snagitseven

Redd, are you sure about that? My understanding is any non-contract iPad Air (w/cellular) purchased anywhere will have the same universal capabilites. The only distinction by model number for that carrier is the sim they come with. Purchase an iPad Air (or unlocked iPhone 5c/5s) from an AT&T store and it can can be switched to Verizon or T-Mobile (I think you have to visit a Verizon store to get the iPad and sim registered but activating a T-Mobile sim is much simpler). I believe Sprint is the only major U.S. carrier that won't provide their sim for a non-Sprint iPad model number. Which is kind of a head-scratcher as they lose the ability to switch a customer's business away from the other carriers. I'm not sure about other countries' carriers.

feralc

The only difference between an ATT iPad 4th gen and a Verizon IPad 4th gen is the LTE frequencies.
But now the iPad Air and the iPad mini with retina have the same frequencies enabled.

http://gigaom.com/2013/10/22/one-ipa...s-new-tablets/

DirkM

Verizon will only activate devices that are registered in their database which means they have to be sold originally as Verizon device. Verizon LTE devices have to be carrier unlocked per FCC regulation, so any Verizon LTE device will work with other carriers. Verizon devices also used to support more bands. ATT/TM and Sprint devices are usually carrier locked with ATT unlocking devices any time when they are paid off, TM unlocking devices after 60 days and Sprint never unlocking devices. Older ATT devices will not work in 4G/3G on TM's network (and vice versa) because TM was using a different band as return channel. That's the only reason why the Audi MMI will not do 3G on the ATT network. Now with the "refarming" that TM is doing in metro areas they are adding the same band as ATT to allow their customers to use older ATT devices and still get 3G/4G speeds.

snagitseven

AudiA4, tablets appear to be looked upon differently than phones by the carriers and unlike most phones, all LTE iPads are sold unlocked to begin with. Confirmed reports in the U.S. show that while the process may be different with each carrier, other than trying to change to Sprint, there is no problem with moving to and from Verizon, ATT or T-Mobile with the iPad Air (or I would think any non-telephone tablet with compatible, multiple frequencies).

Here's a post of someone changing an ATT iPad Air to Verizon last November right after it was released (it might be an easier process now):

http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost...01&postcount=1

Superfly_A6

I guess this is an old post, but what a nightmare.

A6ninja

UPDATE:

Ok so my Nav and Google search stopped working yesterday. I called t-mobile and asked why. They said I most likely ate up the 200mb (they didn't upgrade me to 500mb after all) in those 3 days time. He confirmed however that he did see my SIM on the network when it was plugged into the A6 and that it SHOULD be working. I then took the SIM and put it in an old phone and attempted to search a webpage. That resulted in being forced to a t-mobile page to purchase a data package. I purchased a 3gb package over the phone with the rep for one month to see if that was indeed the issue.

Once I purchased the package, I then put the SIM back in the old phone and attempted to browse. It now forced me to a new Tmobile page where it attempted to make me create a "Mobile Management Account" Obviously, I didn't do that and immediately removed the SIM from the phone and placed it in the A6. It worked flawlessly. Its also much faster to load the maps and results than it was with the free 200mb. The rep confirmed that the SIM was not and would not get tied down to any one device and I would be able to move the SIM from the car, to the phone, to a tablet etc. So far that has been true. HOWEVER - When the SIM is placed in any tablet, phone etc - It will not allow me to browse - it only forces me to a page to create a Mobile Management Account, but it works great in the A6.

So the question is, can I really have used up 200mb in 3 days?? I did a total of 5 google searches and ran Google Maps at all times, for what I would guess was a total of 100 miles. At this rate, 3gb would last me 2 weeks. Do you guys think this could be accurate? Unfortunately, I cannot view my data usage as the rep told me it takes 72 hours to update a viewable data usage chart on recent use. Obviously once I can view the data usage of those 3 days I will report back.

I am assuming if eating up the 200mb in 3 days is true, this must be the same thing that happened to Feralc? However, wouldn't it then reset itself each month with a fresh 200mb? The rep did confirm that once you use up the free 200mb the service stops responding as they hope you will buy a data plan - which in my case worked...