GLE Class (W166) Produced 2015-2019

The sunset of 3G later this year!

Old Jan 17, 2022 | 06:59 PM
  #1  
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The sunset of 3G later this year!

Does anyone have any good information on how the sunset of 3G will affect many of us and our in-car systems?
Will we be affected?
What models will be affected?
What model year?
Can we be retrofitted if we are?
I can’t find any answers…
Thanks!
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Old Jan 18, 2022 | 02:31 PM
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Mercedes declined to comment on Consumer Reports' inquiry (they summarize all of the vehicle models and years impacted on their site) but CR says they will update their page if official word is received from Mercedes. I have no idea if we are impacted or use a different technology (like Ford).
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Old Jan 19, 2022 | 06:25 PM
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Just checked online and I don't see anything from Mercedes about the 3G shutdown. Anyone have any information? If not I'm going to stop at a dealer and ask.
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Old Apr 15, 2022 | 02:38 PM
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Yes it’s True

There is another thread that discusses it in detail, but yes. I asked Mercedes Me and it ends in December. It effects any vehicle without 4G so mostly 2018 and older! It’s disappointing. I have not heard of any intentions of an option.
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Old Apr 16, 2022 | 05:36 PM
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Is this why the letter I just received for my next annual MBrace renewal is only for 5 months (expiring November, 2022, instead of the usual 12 month period)? Have they really not figured out what they plan to do with customers in December?
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Old Apr 16, 2022 | 05:50 PM
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This is what I have been trying to tell all of you for months!
Respectfully submitted…
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Old Apr 18, 2022 | 12:18 PM
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Originally Posted by Chefcct
This is what I have been trying to tell all of you for months!
Respectfully submitted…
Thanks. Do you want a cookie or a pat on the back?
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Old Apr 18, 2022 | 12:33 PM
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A cookie would be nice…
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Old Apr 19, 2022 | 05:59 AM
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I don't care. Maybe because I was a victim of the Teleaid when it switch from analog to digital and I lived with the error message on the cluster for the last 14 years, lol.

Last edited by amusa; Jun 24, 2022 at 06:07 AM.
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Old May 24, 2022 | 09:28 PM
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As of today, May 24, 2022, there is still no information forthcoming from MB. My wife's Lexus will lose emergency connectivity Nov. 1, which is what prompted me to try to find out if my 2012 E350 MB will be affected. It's frustrating that MB is ghosting everyone.
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Old May 25, 2022 | 09:09 AM
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Received from MB this morning.

Thank you for being a Mercedes-Benz mbrace® subscriber.

This letter is to inform you that the wireless carrier which supports your vehicle's mbrace services in the United States will retire their 3G network in 2022. All features of Mercedes-Benz mbrace, including Automatic Collision Notification1, Stolen Vehicle Location Assistance2 and SOS/Emergency Call3, will no longer be active starting 08/01/2022.

The telematics communication module which operates the mbrace service in your vehicle will become obsolete; however, we have teamed up with Verizon Wireless, our mbrace partner, to offer an OBD (On-board diagnostics) dongle as an alternative solution. The Hum by Verizon device plugs into your vehicle's OBD diagnostic port to offer similar services as mbrace.

Please click here to learn how to stay connected with Hum.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. More information about the 3G retirement can be found here. If you have any questions, please reach out to mbrace Customer Care at 866.990.9007.

Sincerely,
Mercedes-Benz mbrace
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Old May 25, 2022 | 11:57 AM
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I am wondering if it is possible to upgrade telematics communication module from a newer models like 2018 for an example and if this module should be compatible with the Hartman Kardon system on top of all, the main question is the VIN if it’s embedded in that module, in order to activate that system, you must provide VIN to be active and it will be different from your car.
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Old May 25, 2022 | 10:13 PM
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Originally Posted by BlownV8
Received from MB this morning.

Thank you for being a Mercedes-Benz mbrace® subscriber.

This letter is to inform you that the wireless carrier which supports your vehicle's mbrace services in the United States will retire their 3G network in 2022. All features of Mercedes-Benz mbrace, including Automatic Collision Notification1, Stolen Vehicle Location Assistance2 and SOS/Emergency Call3, will no longer be active starting 08/01/2022.
Thanks. Is 08/01/2022 the date your subscription normally expires, if not will they offer a refund on the months you paid for after that date?
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Old May 25, 2022 | 10:21 PM
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My letter said “As of December 1, 2022, your service will be discontinued”
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Old May 26, 2022 | 08:31 AM
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Originally Posted by BlownV8
Received from MB this morning.
however, we have teamed up with Verizon Wireless, our mbrace partner, to offer an OBD (On-board diagnostics) dongle as an alternative solution. The Hum by Verizon device plugs into your vehicle's OBD diagnostic port to offer similar services as mbrace.

Please click here to learn how to stay connected with Hum.
Will Verizon Hum retain remote start and locking/unlocking capability? Or is it just onboard Wi-FI and emergency notification with no car-specific functions?
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Old May 26, 2022 | 08:49 AM
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I looked and I didn’t see unlocking or remote start…
so, I am less enthusiastic about it.
And, I have seen some mechanics report that there could be some electronic problems with ANY OBD dongle.

Last edited by Chefcct; May 26, 2022 at 08:55 AM.
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Old May 29, 2022 | 02:57 AM
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I'm not terribly surprised, MB stopped offering navigation map updates for my 2013 S550 after the one and only 2015 update. At least now Big Brother won't be able to track my vehicle (I'll keep my phone in a Faraday bag in airplane mode). lol

I did find this notice from somewhere online (it may have been from another thread on mbworld in fact). Gives a shutdown schedule and vehicles affected.

https://www.mbusa.com/en/owners/3g-network-sunset

Check under the section "When Is This Happening?"

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Old Jun 22, 2022 | 07:07 PM
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We out of luck in the US. However, the UK gets this Mercedes Me Adapter:

⁣Experience Connectivity (mercedes-benz.co.uk)



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Old Jun 22, 2022 | 07:37 PM
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Looks to be the same as what is offered in the US except the UK is Tidal and the US is HUM. Hum by Verizon | Hum Car | Verizon Wireless
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Old Jun 23, 2022 | 07:55 AM
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Originally Posted by BlownV8
Looks to be the same as what is offered in the US except the UK is Tidal and the US is HUM. Hum by Verizon | Hum Car | Verizon Wireless
So in other words, reduced features/capabilities (no remote start, locking/unlocking).
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Old Jun 23, 2022 | 03:57 PM
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Originally Posted by gearFX
So in other words, reduced features/capabilities (no remote start, locking/unlocking).
Yup.
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Old Jun 23, 2022 | 07:36 PM
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Originally Posted by BlownV8
Yup.
my 2017 has the Hermes module LTE... haven't received any notice about termination...
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Old Jun 24, 2022 | 05:34 AM
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The notice from MB said this 3g sunset affected all 2016 and some 2017’s… you lucky duck!
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Old Jun 24, 2022 | 06:10 AM
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I never got the notice I have a 2016. haha
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Old Jun 27, 2022 | 06:45 PM
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The decommissioning will happen in two phases.
August 1, 2022 for the following model years (MY):
  • MY2000 - 2012: All models
  • MY2013: S-Class, CL-Class
  • MY2014: AMG SLS, CL-Class

December 1, 2022 for the following model years:
  • MY2013 – 2016: C-Class, E-Class, CLS, M-Class/GLE, GL, AMG SL, SLK/SLC, G-Class
  • MY2013 – 2015: GLK
  • MY2014 – 2016: B-Class, CLA, S-Class
  • MY2015 – 2016: AMG GT
  • MY2016: GLC, GLE Coupe
  • Select MY2017: C-Class Coupe, GLS, AMG GT, S-Class cabriolet, S65 AMG Sedan
Please note all affected owners will also receive a letter from mbrace indicating their last date of service. MY2017 equipped with a 4G LTE communication module and all MY 2018 and newer are not affected. If you are unsure if your MY2017 is impacted you may contact mbrace Customer Care at 1-866-990-9007 to verify.


I am a lucky duck with MY2017 GLE ...


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