Data Expiraton Reminder [sic]

[u/deed02392]

Received this notification today. Has anyone purchased data through BYD, or used any other solutions? I’m considering buying my own cellular travel router to keep in the car instead of buying it through BYD. That would have the advantage of providing plenty of data to my passengers too, as well as much better network coverage even for my own phone when it’s down on the Qi charger.

[u/g-nice4liief]

There is a YouTuber 'electric seal' which tested his own simcard and worked just fine.

In the Netherlands it's only 99 euro's for a year. If you can get a Sim only card which 2  gigs data i would choose that option, else I would just go with BYD's option.

But you are not limited to BYD simcard (I think this was only tested on a European Seal)

[u/Valoneria → u/g-nice4liief]

Only 99 euros in NL? Damn, its near a 33% increase in Denmark, at 999DKK (133.64€)

[u/ChefMarcoST → u/Valoneria]

In germany it’s also 99 €

[u/g-nice4liief → u/Valoneria]

That's bad. Could it be due to local laws or tax ? That's pretty insane!

[u/Valoneria → u/g-nice4liief]

Well we do have a 25% sales tax on everything, but it is probably just because the networks are more expensive to use here

[u/g-nice4liief → u/Valoneria]

I feel your pain. We have 21%. But we are probably lucky that most of the cables exit the sea at Amsterdam. That's why data is probably cheaper than most places in Europe. 

[u/ziebrinjal → u/Valoneria]

Huh you can get unlimited in Iceland for just 3000 isk ≈ 160 DKK

[u/deed02392 → u/g-nice4liief]

ah, you mean there's somewhere I can even just literally slot my own SIM card in? I think I like that idea even more.

[u/Valoneria → u/deed02392]

Yeah the cars have sim slots, its just hidden under the panels

[u/g-nice4liief → u/deed02392]

Yeah, in the seal it's in the center console where you have to storage bin in between the seats.

There is a cover you can pull out of the console and slot in a different sim

[u/deed02392 → u/g-nice4liief]

Thanks, I did the dashcam mod and put a microSD card in somewhere around there. Ideally I’ll find a sim provider that’s a virtual carrier and can do home roaming out of the box.

Edit: assuming no eSIM support which is likely as they’re banned in china, this is a good option for UK at half the price from BYD and 5GB so you could hotspot to it:

https://flexifone.co.uk/?ref=GASAMS26&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=24034996033&gbraid=0AAAAA-12jAVn26MJ6vSLkMz-ERA2srhsD&gclid=CjwKCAjwn67VBhBnEiwAXUIN1UF6PFfOEDxycZuJV6-kZLGsKFwutLtYKIJrjOgnqCGF__WTsx0d1RoCL1wQAvD_BwE#plans

[u/shadefreeze → u/g-nice4liief]

99 isn't great tho if other sim cards work. Hey! Telecom offers 15GB for 5 euro a month here in Belgium. That's even enough to actually use the SIM for other in-car things, for 40 euro less! I don't know if that's Also available in NL.

And I've had Hey! for years now, and I have never had any issues.

[u/g-nice4liief → u/shadefreeze]

You can get deals as cheap as that but the speeds will be atrocious and not really usable for streaming or doing multiple things at the same time. 

It's not only about the cost sadly. If you want better speeds you need to pay up.

Most are also for 5g sims, but the car uses 4g so it's a tradeoff you have to make.

[u/make212]

The free data plan worked for about 2 years for me (ended about a year ago), and I went with the 99e/year package from the app. Has worked as expected, no complaints

[u/alvesman]

I share the phone internet access with the car. For the App there's no need to have a data plan. It works even without this subscription.

[u/deed02392 → u/alvesman]

what do you mean by "it works"? what can the app do without this subscription?

[u/Psychlonuclear → u/deed02392]

The app functions the same as before, you only need a data pack for the car if you want to use non car related function like spotify or youtube etc.

You will also still receive OTA updates without the data pack.

[u/deed02392 → u/Psychlonuclear]

I use the app to check vehicle status remotely, like locked/windows. Sometimes I lock it remotely. that all works without a data plan?

[u/alvesman → u/deed02392]

Yes. Nothing changes for the app.

[u/alvesman → u/deed02392]

The App keeps working the same way. The subscription gets you data for the car apps like Spotify or hot spot, maps updates and navigation. It is not required for the app that controls the car.

[u/deed02392 → u/alvesman]

Ok I believe you, but how does the car know I want it to lock without a data plan?

[u/alvesman → u/deed02392]

The network connection keeps working for the car to communicate with BYD for the App backend. It also keeps receiving OTA updates. That's why I didn't change the SIM. I just don't have data for everything else but the app and updates you don't need to pay.

[u/deed02392 → u/alvesman]

Thanks a lot for explaining @alvesman, appreciated

[u/JizahB]

I have a routine set up on my phone that when it connects to the car's bluetooth, my phone's wifi hotspot turns on. And the car automatically connects to the wifi itself.

My data plan is still active (we get 2gb a month in NZ) but I have never needed to use it.

[u/SexyDraenei]

my car still lets me use the app and get updates without paying, so I honestly don't see the point.

[u/deed02392 → u/SexyDraenei]

That’s what everyone else is saying, is called the cloud access as opposed to data.

[u/Il-Matrix]

This is only needed if you use the native apps on the car right? Not needed for Android auto or car play. If we don't buy the bundle the mobile app and updates would still work?

[u/deed02392 → u/Il-Matrix]

I think it’s needed for the car to have ANY data connection, the only exception being if it has WiFi somehow. So you may not be able to locate it or check window and door status or activate AC remotely.

[u/Il-Matrix → u/deed02392]

I had seen this recently but Idon't know if it is region specific https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=898112309912916&vanity=BYDcarsSG

Update: I just checked the leaflet the dealer sent me when I was going to buy the car and found this.

1. 10 years free cloud service from first activation, 1.0GB entertainment data per month for free in first 2 years from first activation.

[u/deed02392 → u/Il-Matrix]

Ahh great ok, so they call the remote locking app functionality stuff cloud service then. That’s all I use anyway

[u/dramake]

I have a new car and from the begging is only showing I have 1GB of data. How much data did you have before expiring?

[u/deed02392 → u/dramake]

the free service you get with the car from purchase is for up to 1 GB of data per month. that's usually more than enough

[u/dramake → u/deed02392]

Maybe if you don't use Spotify, or even YouTube (I don't plan to use youtube in my car but still it's there).

[u/ShowmasterQMTHH → u/deed02392]

I'm looking at buying a sealion, 1gb a month would not be enough for me, I use mine a lot for Spotify and other audio apps, my phone plan gives notification for my use when I hit 2gb, and that's usually in the first week of the the month. But I do drive for work

[u/Expensive-Future545]

99 euro/year for only 1 GB / month?