Alpina540i

I have an early build 2018 with the LTE signal bars on the display as well.

NJS5

Same with an April 2018 build.

Burrcold

I'm pretty sure if you had the ability to have Google Earth when you first got your car (even if it was a 2018), then you would have had the LTE/4G modem, otherwise it wouldn't have worked. Example, in Canada on the the 2018 models they only had a 3G module which is why we didn't have the option to have the Google Earth overlays on our navigation until 2019 when they added the LTE module.

ShiftyWolf

I want to say the 2018 RS5 was a late model release. I also noticed this morning that I have an LTE connection so maybe I'll avoid the loss of services as well.

18A5SB

Perhaps the services that will get shutdown run exclusively on 3G so having LTE will not help? If so why? 4G has been around since 2011 or 2012.

Nikon1

This is like the “raises more questions than it answers” situation we discussed on the OBDEleven, “Pro vs. Lifetime” membership last month. Maybe they share the communications firm for outgoing notices?

Just really pi$$ poor communication on the part of AoA, IMHO.

— John

superswiss

There's some confusion here and as always Audi is terrible at communicating this. All B9 MMI (MIB2) and B9.5 MMI (MIB3) use 4G LTE for data as far as I know. For the A4/A5 series, the B8.5 was the last model generation that used 3G for data, so most of this should not affect the B9. However, earlier LTE devices still relied on the 3G network for voice service, so you may lose the emergency call feature. Only devices that support VoLTE (Voice over LTE) will be able to make voice calls after the 3G shutdown. It's possible that MIB2 does not support VoLTE and therefore will lose the emergency call feature, but it shouldn't lose the data connection.

Nikon1

So going through the Owner's Manual I came up with these 2 pages of information (which are about as clear as the IRS Tax Code):

Page 198 -

- You can only use services supported by Audi
connect (Infotainment) if you have the optional
MMI Navigation plus equipment with
MMI touch* and Audi connect (Infotainment).

- Use of the LTE* mobile network standard is
not available in every country. Contact an
authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi
Service Facility or your cell phone service
provider for additional information.


Page 205 -

- The services are provided through a SIM
card installed in the vehicle. The cost of the
call and data connections is included in the
price for the services. Services are provided
assuming that the cell phone network required
for the installed SIM card is functioning
and ready to operate. The available services
set by Audi AG are only available within
the cell phone network coverage area for
the cell phone service provider selected by
Audi AG.

- You can find what data will be transferred
at www.aud iusa.com.

- These services cannot be deactivated using
the settings in the Infotainment system.

You can request help when in an emergency or
dangerous situation using the emergency call
function l)

_ An emergency call is a combination
of data transmission and a phone call. The data
transmission from your vehicle forwards important
information, such as the vehicle and position
data, to the emergency call center.

As @superswiss indicated - not very helpful . . .

— John

Nikon1

That certainly sent me back to my notes from many years ago. I believe that Verizon (CDMA voice) was the carrier that you are referring to: initially they could not support VoLTE whereas AT&T (100% GSM) system did support both data and voice over LTE.

IIRC, the AudiConnect Plus was offered via the AT&T infrastructure. As to how this may / may not affect what Audi has published I guess we’ll see on February 22, 2022.

— John

superswiss

Even AT&T didn't support it initially. It's called HD Voice in their lingo, and many initial phones didn't support it. iOS for example only added support for it in recent years, as did Android etc. It was well documented with AT&T that during a voice call, the data speed stepped down to 3G. Verizon never was able to support voice and data at the same time.