VW Unveils ‘Carrier Of Choice' To Let Users Get 4G Connection

Volkswagen has unveiled a new feature over the weekend called “Carrier of Choice,” for its Car-Net connected vehicle service that lets users get 4G data from two major US telecoms.

The new features offer the option of Verizon or T-Mobile, making it relatively easy to add your vehicle to an existing mobile plan.

Volkswagen owners in the US will be able to access the subscription plan options on VW's dedicated website or via its mobile app starting in November. users can add an account to their existing mobile wireless provider (assuming it's Verizon or T-Mobile) and pair it with their existing Volkswagen Car-Net subscription. It will then appear as a new line item on your existing bill. If you're not already with those carriers, you can get unlimited 4G data for $20 per month. 

Car-Net offers a WiFi hotspot with “unlimited” 4G connectivity for up to four devices and it is expected to offer connected car features like remote start, locking and unlocking the vehicle, maintenance, status, teen driver alerts (curfew, boundary, speed) and more. Those features can be accessed remotely from both iPhone and Android smartphones using VW's updated mobile app.

In addition, VW will offer the "Plus Nav" subscription with real-time traffic and route updates for $49 per year, a radio subscription with 30,000 global stations for $8 per year and a natural language speech option for $9 per year. Also, it the new feature permit users to access iHeart Radio and TIDAl media streaming apps with a paid subscription.