3G -> 4G Update?

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Prophetuk
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I've had the W238 2018 for over a year now and work in tech. I was wondering if anyone has heard of a 3G module upgrade for over-the-air updates? I tried to get a response from the Mercedes dealer but got nothing. If you're in the UK, 3G is scheduled to switch off in 2024.
 
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Third party update to upgrade from 3G to 4G. "UPDATE, Mercedes currently does not allow 3G equipped vehicles to re-subscribe to services in the Mercedes ME app even if a 4G module is installed, so we have paused the installation of these updates until we find out if there is a mechanism to resolve this issue. 3G-enabled cars have reverted to the 2G/EDGE standard, which doesn't provide enough bandwidth for most modern services, even if you still have an active subscription."
So I wanted to ask the forum experts if they knew the part number for the 4G unit so I could get a quote and see if it was worth replacing the unit and then see if MB Europe would upgrade the unit as part of the Service (depending on the cost of the module of...
If you have 3G (code 360), you need to change the module to switch to 4G (code 362). Mercedes claims this is impossible, but this is not the whole truth for all models, as for the 213/238 both options were available at the start of production. In the event of a network failure, the 3G module will switch to 2G - the connection will be slower, not in real time, and you will not be able to renew your Mercedes ME "Remote Package" subscription. Other subscriptions can be renewed (but this will be slower).

There has been some speculation about a mandatory update for all cars and who would pay for it (in the EU this is mandatory roadworthiness from a certain date, or type approval for car models after a certain date), but the bureaucracy is slow and the outcome uncertain.

Some car owners have started replacing 3G modules with LTE, and this is possible if your car has the LTE option, some other models will require wiring changes. You need a person with access to VeDoc to change module information on the server side. After the update, the "Remote Services" subscription can be renewed (at least if the old subscription has not expired before the update).

VeDoc's policy varies by country: in some places official shops do this, in others they don't, and in others the importing company controls VeDoc and prohibits even third-party shops with an official Xentry subscription from doing so. It doesn't make any sense, but it is.
 
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Could you provide your VIN number to see if your module can be updated?
 
Does this mean you can switch to any LTE provider and change, say, Vodafone?
 
No, we are talking about a hardware upgrade that will allow the car to maintain LTE connectivity after 3G is disabled.
Inside the HERMES box is an electronic SIM card (eSIM), and the choice of provider is subject to agreement between Mercedes and the provider.
 
Unfortunately, it is not possible to upgrade the hardware to LTE, since MOPF communicates with LTE via Bluetooth.
So the conversion is not profitable. We'll have to wait and see, as the plug and play module is already available for trucks.
 
Well, I don't understand the point of Bluetooth.
If the car was produced in early 2018, it has HU55 COMAND, which uses a WLAN connection to HERMES. It can be factory equipped with 3G or LTE and can be upgraded using standard parts. The 3G option was removed in mid-2018.
MOPF always has LTE.
 
I replaced my UMTS 1.0 HERMES with HERMES LTE 1.5 in A238. Basically, it is "plug and play", meaning everything connects mechanically without any problems.
The replacement involved upgrading the head unit from NTG5 to NTG 5.5 and installing a larger 12-inch display (see my post about it).
In this particular car the old HERMES used a USB connection to communicate with the head unit, the new HERMES wanted to use WLAN. Fortunately, the new NTG 5.5 head unit supports WLAN communication with HERMES.
A lot of work, a lot of manual transfer of settings using DTS Monaco. You also need to change the equipped coding from 360 to 362 and do online SCN coding for the new HERMES to work as it needs to be registered on the Mercedes backend.
My HERMES still doesn't work (can't go online) because I want to do the online SCN coding (registration on the backend) during my regular workshop visit (paid warranty). Let's see if they do it.
 
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Thanks for the info, very interesting. Have you ever been to the service? Did they update the software?
 
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