Audi Connect: Truphone or P-Tel?
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 142
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From: Philadelphia, PA
Audi Connect: Truphone or P-Tel?
My complimentary T-Mobile subscription expired and I am looking for least expensive ways to have a data connection. I mostly plan on using it for Google searches. I will turn off Google Earth and other data hogs. With these criteria in mind, which option would you recommend Truphone or P-Tel? I am interested in least expensive and most reliable option (if such can be achieved).
Thanks!
Thanks!
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 711
Likes: 167
From: San Diego, CA
My complimentary T-Mobile subscription expired and I am looking for least expensive ways to have a data connection. I mostly plan on using it for Google searches. I will turn off Google Earth and other data hogs. With these criteria in mind, which option would you recommend Truphone or P-Tel? I am interested in least expensive and most reliable option (if such can be achieved).
Thanks!
Thanks!
If you plan on using data services rarely, not use google maps, then tru phone can be the cheapest with no monthly minimum.
If you.plan on using Google maps frequently, use data services frequently, the the $15/month t-mobile plan through Audi is by far the cheapest per megabyte.
P-tel fits a small sliver in between.
Based on your criteria, tru phone.
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 711
Likes: 167
From: San Diego, CA
Essentially unlimited. No set data amount, no overages. There is debate whether the speed is throttled or not after a certain amount. Since this is not published it is not clear. Recently I have been using 1.2 to 2 GB per month and have not seen any throttling.
Banned
Joined: Mar 2010
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This is a secret way... which I discussed with a T-mobile employee regarding Audi Connect.
I'd assume that giving this info up will result in the option being excluded in the future, so be careful about how to approach this option.
#1 Get a prepaid sim card for T-mobile from (of all places) WalMart
#2 Activate the card for the UNLIMITED DATA/100 Minutes per month PREPAID plan
http://consumerist.com/2013/06/07/t-...tomers-get-it/
#3 Stick that SIM card in a phone, make a 1 minute call. Receive the tmobile activation sms messages.
#4 Remove the Audi Connect sim card and keep it in the glovebox. Place the prepaid sim into the slot. Restart the car.
I tried this on a loaner A4 and it worked fine. Actaully, with the prepaid card, I was able to get the google maps street view photo of the destination when I arrived at the guided route destination - shocking. Google destinations worked.. weather worked... it's all the same.
But rather than paying the Audi Connect fee, I paid $30 for the month.
Audi repriced their plans for 30 month fees, so it would be cheaper than the walmart route:
http://www.engadget.com/2013/04/05/a...le-data-plans/
Regardless, if you ever have your Audi sim card swiped by a valet, you can always go to walmart and activate the tmobile card with unilimited data for "your phone."
I'd assume that giving this info up will result in the option being excluded in the future, so be careful about how to approach this option.
#1 Get a prepaid sim card for T-mobile from (of all places) WalMart
#2 Activate the card for the UNLIMITED DATA/100 Minutes per month PREPAID plan
http://consumerist.com/2013/06/07/t-...tomers-get-it/
#3 Stick that SIM card in a phone, make a 1 minute call. Receive the tmobile activation sms messages.
#4 Remove the Audi Connect sim card and keep it in the glovebox. Place the prepaid sim into the slot. Restart the car.
I tried this on a loaner A4 and it worked fine. Actaully, with the prepaid card, I was able to get the google maps street view photo of the destination when I arrived at the guided route destination - shocking. Google destinations worked.. weather worked... it's all the same.
But rather than paying the Audi Connect fee, I paid $30 for the month.
Audi repriced their plans for 30 month fees, so it would be cheaper than the walmart route:
http://www.engadget.com/2013/04/05/a...le-data-plans/
Regardless, if you ever have your Audi sim card swiped by a valet, you can always go to walmart and activate the tmobile card with unilimited data for "your phone."
Banned
Joined: Mar 2010
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Also, the Walmart route works if you purchase a used Audi and the sim card is missing. The point is that any sim will work from Tmobile, as long as you have an active plan with data... you can always call tmobile and change your plan on the sim to just the unlimited data plan.
But... I haven't checked Audi Connect plan pricing in a while but it looks like renewing Audi Connect for 30 months is your best bet.
But... I haven't checked Audi Connect plan pricing in a while but it looks like renewing Audi Connect for 30 months is your best bet.
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 13,980
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From: SE Massachusetts, U.S.
How much does it cost for the "secret" unlimited plan? If you prepay $450, you can get the T-Mobile Audi Connect 30 month program which works out to a locked-in $15 per month (not $30 and with no danger of them shutting down the sim outside of the phone in your example).
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Thread Starter
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 142
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From: Philadelphia, PA
Folks that have TruPhone, what do I need to activate the SIM, which I just received? If I don't have any cell phones that take SIM cards (all mine are Verizon), can the activation take place while the card is inserted into my Audi?
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