The New Wave of Built-In Wifi for Cars
Integrating Wi-Fi into vehicles is not exactly a new concept, but the lowering in prices which have made it available for the average consumer certainly is. For example, the new Chevrolet Cruze and Chevrolet Spark are economical vehicles which offer the chance to connect on the go for base prices of $16,000 and $12170, respectively.
Other options include vehicles equipped with UConnect and Onstar WiFi, which allow customers to purchase blocks of internet connectivity, such as daily, weekly, and monthly connections. These built-in wifi options have been designed for family road trips which demand a large amount of connectivity for a short period of time, allowing your kids to watch movies and play the apps they love.
A Question of Cost
Unfortunately, although vehicle prices have reduced and broadband speeds are achieved once connected, data plans still cost quite a bit. Both Chevrolet models discussed above feature 4GE LTE Wifi with plans offered from ATT ranging from $5 for 200MB to $50 for 5GB per month. Up to seven devices are capable of connecting to the internet at once, and given the larger antennae, signal and speed are generally faster than would be expected from 4GE LTE.
OnStar plans range from $5 to $50 per month or one-time data packages from $5 to $150, while Uconnect ranges from $10 a day to $35 a month for access.
The Good News
Most new vehicles offer a trial period which offers the option to try out the WiFi and give feedback on which plan works best. Hopefully, as connectivity improves and feedback is given, prices will become more affordable for the average consumer. Besides getting built-in wifi, there is also always the option of using the HotSpot feature of your smartphone to get signal into your vehicle, although speeds and ease of use will not be quite as good. Either way, enjoy your trip and happy holidays!
How to use this information
At Accurate Auto Body, we are constantly updating our equipment and staying trained in modern technology repair to provide you with the best service possible. If you experience any problems with your vehicle, we will happily help you get them resolved before the holidays arrive. Before taking off on a long journey, be sure to give Accurate Auto Body a call at 303-344-2122 or contact us through our website for more information and we will be happy help!
How has modern vehicle technology changed the way you do roadtrips?
