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Pardon me if this has been discussed before, I couldn't find any old threads. Mercedes Multifunction Telephony is Mercedes-speak for cellphone integration with the car's antenna. When I'm using either Car Play or bluetooth, my phone reception is worse then when using the phone freestanding. For example, on my commute there are two spots where calls will drop when using Car Play or bluetooth, but will maintain reception if using the phone by itself. Has anyone else noticed this, or am I missing something regarding connectivity?
2024 AMG EQE SUV , 2021 E63S Wagon - gone, 2018 E63S Sedan - gone
Originally Posted by saltydog66
Pardon me if this has been discussed before, I couldn't find any old threads. Mercedes Multifunction Telephony is Mercedes-speak for cellphone integration with the car's antenna. When I'm using either Car Play or bluetooth, my phone reception is worse then when using the phone freestanding. For example, on my commute there are two spots where calls will drop when using Car Play or bluetooth, but will maintain reception if using the phone by itself. Has anyone else noticed this, or am I missing something regarding connectivity?
Are you placing your phone in the console compartment with the wireless charging or is it on another location? The antenna pickup is in that compartment. Multifunction is the integration of the phone to the MBUX command center as well as the voice and call controls with the steering wheel.
I didn't think US spec cars have the aerial booster, because those would need to be registered with your cell provider. However, neither CarPlay nor Bluetooth would have any effect on cell reception. A car is a Faraday cage and blocks electromagnetic waves, so cell reception is a problem in any car. If the cell signal is too weak, it may not reach inside the car and reception will heavily depend on where the phone is placed. If you are holding it up to your head then it's more in the open, and your head actually acts like an additional antenna. If you tuck it away somewhere while it's connected to CarPlay and/or Bluetooth, then the signal may not reach it. If there is an antenna booster in these cars then it would be where the wireless charger is, so in order to connect it to the exterior aerial, you have to place the phone on the wireless charger, so the antenna signal from the phone couples with the booster.
Last edited by superswiss; Nov 20, 2022 at 12:42 PM.
I usually place it on the wireless charging mat and plug it in if I'm using CarPlay. I guess that's the real question, superswiss, is it using the car's antenna, don't know about an aerial booster. (antenna amplifier?) My comparison was driving in my 25 year old 540i where I keep the phone on a suction cup windshield mount, so it's pretty out in the open like that.
I usually place it on the wireless charging mat and plug it in if I'm using CarPlay. I guess that's the real question, superswiss, is it using the car's antenna, don't know about an aerial booster. (antenna amplifier?) My comparison was driving in my 25 year old 540i where I keep the phone on a suction cup windshield mount, so it's pretty out in the open like that.
Yes, it's a built-in signal booster that takes in the signal from the outside antenna and rebroadcasts it inside of the car and does the same in reverse for the signal from the phone, but the OEM ones don't rebroadcasts the signal throughout the entire interior, instead they confine it to the designated area where the phone is meant to be placed. But as I said, as far as I know this feature is not available on US spec models. If it were, you'd have to call your cell provider and register the booster to make it legal. It's a US thing. Audi for example does offer the booster and that's how I know about the registration process. There's a website you go to for each carrier and enter the IMEI of the booster. There's no trace of a booster in my AMG and no IMEI for it, either, so that tells me there isn't one.
Placing the phone in a suction cup on the window gives it a better signal, because glass doesn't obstruct the signal. But tucked away in the center console there's much more obstruction. I only notice this in remote areas where the signal gets weak. I'm on AT&T and so is the car for the Mercedes me services and I occasionally notice that in remote areas, Mercedes me still has a signal, but my phone has zero bars inside of the car. I was considering activating the car's hotspot, so I would still have data in those areas via the car's Wi-Fi, and therefore Wi-Fi calling if the cell signal gets too weak, but it wasn't worth it to me.
Last edited by superswiss; Nov 20, 2022 at 01:28 PM.
2024 AMG EQE SUV , 2021 E63S Wagon - gone, 2018 E63S Sedan - gone
Originally Posted by superswiss
Yes, it's a built-in signal booster that takes in the signal from the outside antenna and rebroadcasts it inside of the car and does the same in reverse for the signal from the phone, but the OEM ones don't rebroadcasts the signal throughout the entire interior, instead they confine it to the designated area where the phone is meant to be placed. But as I said, as far as I know this feature is not available on US spec models. If it were, you'd have to call your cell provider and register the booster to make it legal. It's a US thing. Audi for example does offer the booster and that's how I know about the registration process. There's a website you go to for each carrier and enter the IMEI of the booster. There's no trace of a booster in my AMG and no IMEI for it, either, so that tells me there isn't one.
Placing the phone in a suction cup on the window gives it a better signal, because glass doesn't obstruct the signal. But tucked away in the center console there's much more obstruction. I only notice this in remote areas where the signal gets weak. I'm on AT&T and so is the car for the Mercedes me services and I occasionally notice that in remote areas, Mercedes me still has a signal, but my phone has zero bars inside of the car. I was considering activating the car's hotspot, so I would still have data in those areas via the car's Wi-Fi, and therefore Wi-Fi calling if the cell signal gets too weak, but it wasn't worth it to me.
I guess I have to trust it that it works. I usually keep my phone in the door pocket, unless I'm using CarPlay. Have to try one of these days when I'm driving in a remote area if placing it on the wireless charger actually improves the reception. If it does, that's great. Generally I don't have reception issues, so perhaps that's why I haven't really noticed a difference.
Just to further the point. It's still not clear if the booster is there in US spec cars. Even the owner's manual is vague about it, saying that depending on the equipment the phone is connected to the vehicle's exterior antenna via the charging module.
2024 AMG EQE SUV , 2021 E63S Wagon - gone, 2018 E63S Sedan - gone
Originally Posted by superswiss
Just to further the point. It's still not clear if the booster is there in US spec cars. Even the owner's manual is vague about it, saying that depending on the equipment the phone is connected to the vehicle's exterior antenna via the charging module.
Not vague at all. If you have NFC and wireless charging, the phone signal will be boosted. Some vehicles do not come with wireless charging I suppose. Regardless, in my E63S, the signal strength in and out is boosted when I place my Samsung S21 Ultra 5g on the charging pad.
Not vague at all. If you have NFC and wireless charging, the phone signal will be boosted. Some vehicles do not come with wireless charging I suppose. Regardless, in my E63S, the signal strength in and out is boosted when I place my Samsung S21 Ultra 5g on the charging pad.
That's good to know that you see a stronger signal. I suppose I just haven't paid enough attention, but then again as said, the cell signal around here is strong enough to not require boosting most of the time. But it's a good reminder to ensure the phone sits flat on the charger when I'm using CarPlay, just in case the signal gets weak.
I'll have to check, and see what happens to signal strength when moving the phone in and out of the charging pad. That still doesn't explain my simple observation that reception is better in an old car without connectivity.
2024 AMG EQE SUV , 2021 E63S Wagon - gone, 2018 E63S Sedan - gone
Originally Posted by saltydog66
I'll have to check, and see what happens to signal strength when moving the phone in and out of the charging pad. That still doesn't explain my simple observation that reception is better in an old car without connectivity.
Do you have the optional noise reduction package? The glass will attenuate radio frequencies and infrared.
Do you have the optional noise reduction package? The glass will attenuate radio frequencies and infrared.
No, I didn't get the noise reduction package, as I thought it would interfere with a radar detector. Of course, I haven't even bothered to use one, because of all the false signals from other cars. Waze obviates the need for one by at least 90%.
2024 AMG EQE SUV , 2021 E63S Wagon - gone, 2018 E63S Sedan - gone
Originally Posted by saltydog66
No, I didn't get the noise reduction package, as I thought it would interfere with a radar detector. Of course, I haven't even bothered to use one, because of all the false signals from other cars. Waze obviates the need for one by at least 90%.
FYI, there are several designated areas on the windshield for the noise reduction package for a radar detector (behind the rearview mirror) and for a highway toll pass device. The areas are easy to see from the outside of the car as small rectangles.
FYI, there are several designated areas on the windshield for the noise reduction package for a radar detector (behind the rearview mirror) and for a highway toll pass device. The areas are easy to see from the outside of the car as small rectangles.
Wish I had known. The car is noisy, but just on certain road surfaces.
2020 E63S Wagon, 2007 335i convertible (tuned to 400hp), 2011 Audi A4 Avant
Unfortunately, that charging pad is too small for most current phones, so they won't lay flat enough to obtain the charge (and hence the antenna booster as well probably). I have an iPhone 12, and it just doesn't fit flat...
Unfortunately, that charging pad is too small for most current phones, so they won't lay flat enough to obtain the charge (and hence the antenna booster as well probably). I have an iPhone 12, and it just doesn't fit flat...
If you go for the Max phones then yes, but the normal iPhone 12 should fit. I have a XS which is only a smidgen shorter than the 12, but it lays flat even with a case. I think the bigger issues with the recent iPhones are the camera lenses that are sticking out, although with a case they should lay flat as well.
2020 E63S Wagon, 2007 335i convertible (tuned to 400hp), 2011 Audi A4 Avant
Originally Posted by superswiss
If you go for the Max phones then yes, but the normal iPhone 12 should fit. I have a XS which is only a smidgen shorter than the 12, but it lays flat even with a case. I think the bigger issues with the recent iPhones are the camera lenses that are sticking out, although with a case they should lay flat as well.
Sorry, should have mentioned that I have an iPhone Pro Max, and no, it won't fit even with the case off.
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