Has the Wi-Fi hotspot been eliminated from all models going forward?

Robert Flavor

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I've had the wifi hotspot on my 21 for 1+ years and personally, I think a portable one that you would get from a carrier instead would be a much better option.

- It's effectively just as good as your phone's 5G/LTE. It's all dependent on location and your car will not increase the range or reliability of your signal (in my experience across multiple states).
- It is very cost effective at just over $200 a year for service, but you could probably do the same or better from another provider. You are limited to one available provider/plan here.
- It is only active when the car is on, or accessory power is on. This is especially a pain in the ass considering I primarily invested in this to use while camping. You can't control how long you have the accessory power on for, it will cut off after a set time no matter what.
- The car can't update hardware through its own network. Sync 3 won't register it on the wifi list.
- You can't take it with you anywhere else other than your car.
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Scottie137

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Thanks. I'm going to try rebooting the system to see if that makes it show up, but it looks like it simply isn't there.
I took delivery of my 2023 Badlands with literally every package available and I don’t see it in the FordPass app either…
 

bjbena

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I've had the wifi hotspot on my 21 for 1+ years and personally, I think a portable one that you would get from a carrier instead would be a much better option.

- It's effectively just as good as your phone's 5G/LTE. It's all dependent on location and your car will not increase the range or reliability of your signal (in my experience across multiple states).
- It is very cost effective at just over $200 a year for service, but you could probably do the same or better from another provider. You are limited to one available provider/plan here.
- It is only active when the car is on, or accessory power is on. This is especially a pain in the ass considering I primarily invested in this to use while camping. You can't control how long you have the accessory power on for, it will cut off after a set time no matter what.
- The car can't update hardware through its own network. Sync 3 won't register it on the wifi list.
- You can't take it with you anywhere else other than your car.
This is every correct thought.
 
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jason202

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I took delivery of my 2023 Badlands with literally every package available and I don’t see it in the FordPass app either…
Yeah, same here. It’s basically fully loaded as far as tech goes.
 
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jason202

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And next week if you have time call the SYNC3: Connected Services Team at +1 (833) 389-0848 or you might be able to leave a message for Daniel, IVT Research Escalation Specialist, Ford CX Team
1-866-631-3788 ext.76377 (don’t know if he can call you back since you don’t have an open ticket with them) … the SYNC3 customer support person will be able to look up your VIN and tell you for sure if the WiFi modem is installed or not. That modem is “only” for the WiFi hotspot but I know your post said you wanted it as a backup to Verizon which makes perfect sense. I’d give you mine if that were possible bc I don’t use it.
Thanks, I will reach out to them. At this point it’s less about needing the feature and more about just wanting to know if it’s there and not working, or not there at all.
 


Winds of Change

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Any update on this issue yet?
 

petegee77

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what does your FordPass App say when
you click this button to start your free AT&T hot spot trial period?

Ford Bronco Sport Has the Wi-Fi hotspot been eliminated from all models going forward? 1673625273826
This is all I see...
Ford Bronco Sport Has the Wi-Fi hotspot been eliminated from all models going forward? 57189
My BS BB also has the "Features & Settings " section right under the "Status" section and before the"Safety and Security " Section. That's where my WiFi Hot Spot icon is.
 

pkmed

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So I've been doing some research on this since I don't have the features and settings on my Ford pass app. Spent the last hour on the phone with Ford and AT&T trying to sort it out. My window sticker doesn't have the wifi hotspot delete so I assumed it is on there. There is not an option listed inside the vehicle on the screen or in the Ford pass app. I also checked in the Ford pass app under account connected services where I had no connected services available. I called the number listed there.

Ford customer rep looked up my VIN and told me the wifi hotspot is there and that I was signed up for a free trial period (must've happened at the dealer). I explained I don't have mention of the hotspot anywhere on the app or in the vehicle. Rep stated she had the window sticker pulled up and all pertinent info on my vehicle and it should be there. Rep said that I may need to contact AT&T to register and actually add the service on my end for it to show up.

Contacted AT&T who gave me the website to complete registration. I do have an active trial. However, when directed to go to Ford connect inside vehicle, then click on connectivity services, it just kept thinking and wouldn't do anything (tried for about 10 min). AT&T rep said I may need to have Ford do something on their end to activate it, meaning at the dealer. I don't know if they have to flip a switch in the vehicle or what needs to happen. Maybe it'll update after some time and it'll show up in the morning. No idea. I know that doesn't help anyone who is wondering but figured I'd share what I was told thus far.

I will update tomorrow if I get more info.
 

Scottie137

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So I've been doing some research on this since I don't have the features and settings on my Ford pass app. Spent the last hour on the phone with Ford and AT&T trying to sort it out. My window sticker doesn't have the wifi hotspot delete so I assumed it is on there. There is not an option listed inside the vehicle on the screen or in the Ford pass app. I also checked in the Ford pass app under account connected services where I had no connected services available. I called the number listed there.

Ford customer rep looked up my VIN and told me the wifi hotspot is there and that I was signed up for a free trial period (must've happened at the dealer). I explained I don't have mention of the hotspot anywhere on the app or in the vehicle. Rep stated she had the window sticker pulled up and all pertinent info on my vehicle and it should be there. Rep said that I may need to contact AT&T to register and actually add the service on my end for it to show up.

Contacted AT&T who gave me the website to complete registration. I do have an active trial. However, when directed to go to Ford connect inside vehicle, then click on connectivity services, it just kept thinking and wouldn't do anything (tried for about 10 min). AT&T rep said I may need to have Ford do something on their end to activate it, meaning at the dealer. I don't know if they have to flip a switch in the vehicle or what needs to happen. Maybe it'll update after some time and it'll show up in the morning. No idea. I know that doesn't help anyone who is wondering but figured I'd share what I was told thus far.

I will update tomorrow if I get more info.
While not a massive issue for me, definitely would like to get to the bottom of this issue. Thanks for doing some of the leg work!
 
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jason202

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So I've been doing some research on this since I don't have the features and settings on my Ford pass app. Spent the last hour on the phone with Ford and AT&T trying to sort it out. My window sticker doesn't have the wifi hotspot delete so I assumed it is on there. There is not an option listed inside the vehicle on the screen or in the Ford pass app. I also checked in the Ford pass app under account connected services where I had no connected services available. I called the number listed there.

Ford customer rep looked up my VIN and told me the wifi hotspot is there and that I was signed up for a free trial period (must've happened at the dealer). I explained I don't have mention of the hotspot anywhere on the app or in the vehicle. Rep stated she had the window sticker pulled up and all pertinent info on my vehicle and it should be there. Rep said that I may need to contact AT&T to register and actually add the service on my end for it to show up.

Contacted AT&T who gave me the website to complete registration. I do have an active trial. However, when directed to go to Ford connect inside vehicle, then click on connectivity services, it just kept thinking and wouldn't do anything (tried for about 10 min). AT&T rep said I may need to have Ford do something on their end to activate it, meaning at the dealer. I don't know if they have to flip a switch in the vehicle or what needs to happen. Maybe it'll update after some time and it'll show up in the morning. No idea. I know that doesn't help anyone who is wondering but figured I'd share what I was told thus far.

I will update tomorrow if I get more info.
Yeah, thanks for doing the legwork on this, it sounds like we're in the same boat. I haven't had the time to reach out to Ford or AT&T yet.
 


Glamdring70

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There are 2 modems in the Bronco Sport. One is for the Connected Services. This is what allows you to remote unlock the doors and remote start, flash lights, etc. That is what the Fordpass app uses. The other one is for the Wi-Fi. You need to sign up with AT&T and you also need to complete some vehicle settings. AT&T will assign you a virtual phone number to manage the account through AT&T.

If you can't get the Pass app to work (unsurprising), just do it on the website.
https://www.ford.com/support/how-tos/fordpass/wi-fi-hotspot/

You need to use settings to enable the Wi-Fi and give it an SSID and a password, like *******
https://www.ford.com/support/how-tos/fordpass/wi-fi-hotspot/how-do-i-enable-the-fordpass-connect-wi-fi-hotspot/

Connect a device:
https://www.ford.com/support/how-tos/fordpass/wi-fi-hotspot/how-do-i-connect-a-device-to-the-wi-fi-hotspot/

Honestly, it's not worth it unless you have a bunch of spare money to throw at data plans you don't intend to consume. It is locked the the vehicle so you can't use it in a restaurant or store. Your phone plan already has data. It can't make calls. It isn't cheap as data plans go. Maybe if you had no phone and wanted to use the Pandora on the radio? Then it's still more money than the SiriusXM. Honestly not many reasons to use it. It's worth maybe $5 a month, but they'll never sell it that cheap.
 
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jason202

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There are 2 modems in the Bronco Sport. One is for the Connected Services. This is what allows you to remote unlock the doors and remote start, flash lights, etc. That is what the Fordpass app uses. The other one is for the Wi-Fi. You need to sign up with AT&T and you also need to complete some vehicle settings. AT&T will assign you a virtual phone number to manage the account through AT&T.

If you can't get the Pass app to work (unsurprising), just do it on the website.
https://www.ford.com/support/how-tos/fordpass/wi-fi-hotspot/

You need to use settings to enable the Wi-Fi and give it an SSID and a password, like *******
https://www.ford.com/support/how-tos/fordpass/wi-fi-hotspot/how-do-i-enable-the-fordpass-connect-wi-fi-hotspot/

Connect a device:
https://www.ford.com/support/how-tos/fordpass/wi-fi-hotspot/how-do-i-connect-a-device-to-the-wi-fi-hotspot/

Honestly, it's not worth it unless you have a bunch of spare money to throw at data plans you don't intend to consume. It is locked the the vehicle so you can't use it in a restaurant or store. Your phone plan already has data. It can't make calls. It isn't cheap as data plans go. Maybe if you had no phone and wanted to use the Pandora on the radio? Then it's still more money than the SiriusXM. Honestly not many reasons to use it. It's worth maybe $5 a month, but they'll never sell it that cheap.
When I put my VIN into the AT&T site, it says "Good News! You are eligible for a FREE 3GB Trial Data Plan." so I suspect the modem is actually there, but for some reason it doesn't show up in the vehicle itself.
 

Glamdring70

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Did you follow the instructions on the link? Does your vehicle not have this screen?
Ford Bronco Sport Has the Wi-Fi hotspot been eliminated from all models going forward? Capture.JPG
 
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jason202

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Correct, my vehicle does not have that screen.
 

Scottie137

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Correct, my vehicle does not have that screen.
Mine either but ATT did let me establish a free trial. Just no way to access the hotspot (if its even there).
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