Why does Teslas not use its own Premium Internet for software updates?

[HaulingAss]

Why must it use Wifi instead?

Is this a serious question?

Tesla does not use their own wireless service, they have a contract with ATT. While we are not privy to the contract terms, it's likely that the data is essentially priced per MB with modifying factors such as time of day, etc. That means the more data Tesla consumes, the more they have to pay AT&T.

Tesla wants to bring as much value as possible, at the lowest cost, to the consumer and every facet of their business is looked at from that perspective. There is a reason that a $50K EV from Ford, or GM does not compare favorably with a $50K car from Tesla (even though Ford and GM are losing thousands of dollars on every EV they sell). It's like two different worlds out there in the EV landscape.

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[Outdoors]

Save a penny. Means you make another penny when you sell something. Simplify for the simpleton's out there. The ones that think it is cheap and dumb.

 

[Cyber_95]

Is this a serious question?

Tesla does not use their own wireless service, they have a contract with ATT. While we are not privy to the contract terms, it's likely that the data is essentially priced per MB with modifying factors such as time of day, etc. That means the more data Tesla consumes, the more they have to pay AT&T.

Tesla wants to bring as much value as possible, at the lowest cost, to the consumer and every facet of their business is looked at from that perspective. There is a reason that a $50K EV from Ford, or GM does not compare favorably with a $50K car from Tesla (even though Ford and GM are losing thousands of dollars on every EV they sell). It's like two different worlds out there in the EV landscape.

Tesla's agreement with AT&T is probably something similar to the MVNO agreements the big carriers have with the smaller "reseller" carriers such as US Cellular, Mint Mobile, etc. It most certainly doesn't have per MB charges or any kind of monthly data limit in them. The data is certainly unlimited, but AT&T "deprioritizes" MVNO carriers such that regular AT&T customers receive priority over MVNO carrier customers when towers are congested. Being de-prioritized means slower speed, dropped calls, etc.

 

[Outdoors]

Tesla's agreement with AT&T is probably something similar to the MVNO agreements the big carriers have with the smaller "reseller" carriers such as US Cellular, Mint Mobile, etc. It most certainly doesn't have per MB charges or any kind of monthly data limit in them. The data is certainly unlimited, but AT&T "deprioritizes" MVNO carriers such that regular AT&T customers receive priority over MVNO carrier customers when towers are congested. Being de-prioritized means slower speed, dropped calls, etc.

Yet I am sure in these agreements negotiations they talk about usage. Which in turn leads to some type of contract. If they used no data it would be free. They use data. So no matter how you skin it. It isn't free, and Tesla has customers use WiFi to push updates and upload data.

You seem awfully sure, yet say it is probably something similar. Which means you don't know.

We think is a very expensive term. Really means ya don't know.

I have stated. It is not Tesla's. It is not free. Why people like to guess about things I can't figure out. Maybe just to be heard.

 

[Dmayo305]

Will be interesting to see if Starlink built in some capability for direct to Tesla connectivity, and it's not available yet. Reference the newest direct to cell satellites.

 

[Outdoors]

Will be interesting to see if Starlink built in some capability for direct to Tesla connectivity, and it's not available yet. Reference the newest direct to cell satellites.

Tesla has brought it up in calls about creating its own network. It was nothing more than an overpassing of thought. Yet it came up. Also around the time of the talk of the rumored Tesla phone.

Over the years one doesn't really know what issues Tesla wants to tackle in terms of efficiency. It truly is a masterclass in making others guess. Gigapress, to eliminating stalks, and simplifying the cabin. It is not all design. Cost plays into it. Remember the Mercedes stalks in our Model S?

 

[Dmayo305]

Tesla has brought it up in calls about creating its own network. It was nothing more than an overpassing of thought. Yet it came up. Also around the time of the talk of the rumored Tesla phone.

Over the years one doesn't really know what issues Tesla wants to tackle in terms of efficiency. It truly is a masterclass in making others guess. Gigapress, to eliminating stalks, and simplifying the cabin. It is not all design. Cost plays into it. Remember the Mercedes stalks in our Model S?

I certainly remember the Mercedes window control module in my 2014 S.

 

[gerald cram]

Let be kind to each other. Will make our CT experience much more fun.

 

[Travis64]

4g not working today

 

[fhteagle]

My 2023 MYLR refuses to connect to WPA3 only security networks, which is what my home network is. Yes, I know how to temporarily change it to WPA2 or WPA2/3 transitional if I want/need to, so no comments needed about that. It's pretty dumb that Tesla, a "tech company", can't make their stuff work with modern security standards, but that's a whole other soapbox.

Anyway, back to topic, the Y did download the "recall" update earlier this year over cellular data. But it finally refuses to download any of the other updates over cellular data.

 

[cal]

Maybe we should clarify the difference between OTA and Wifi. OTA means Over The Air. It's not a Wifi system. It simply means you can get software and firmware updates thru the air without having to go into a dealer. You still have to connect to the internet somewhere to get that message from Tesla. You can do it thru the AT&T or Verizon modem in the car if you are out and about or thru your home wifi system. If you are out and about you are using the car like your cell phone. Signals are coming via your carrier (AT&T, Verizon, etc) It's an AT&T or Verizon cell phone signal, no different from a call except it's data.

You get an OTA update via your car modem or your home wifi.

 

[HaulingAss]

Tesla's agreement with AT&T is probably something similar to the MVNO agreements the big carriers have with the smaller "reseller" carriers such as US Cellular, Mint Mobile, etc. It most certainly doesn't have per MB charges or any kind of monthly data limit in them. The data is certainly unlimited, but AT&T "deprioritizes" MVNO carriers such that regular AT&T customers receive priority over MVNO carrier customers when towers are congested. Being de-prioritized means slower speed, dropped calls, etc.

Even the contracts AT&T have with other carriers would certainly have charges based upon volume, in addition to being de-prioritized. This is a given because those reseller carriers have needs that can change rather quickly over time. They can't be writing new contracts every 6 months as they grow out of old ones.

Tesla has an advantage over those other carriers who subcontract the wireless service. Namely, voice requires low latency and Tesla has avoided the need to transmit voice conversations. Voice transmission is just data with the added requirement of low-latency. Tesla's data needs are not particularly time-sensitive because everything is buffered, from download of new maps as you enter a new area to streaming video, it's all buffered. In terms of consuming network resources, this allows it to "fill in" the unused capacity that is left by the low-latency requirement of voice calls, allowing carriers to more fully monitize all of their network capacity.

It most certainly does cost Tesla more as they use more data bandwidth from AT&T, this is undeniable. That's why they prefer to do OTA updates over Wi-fi. It's also why they don't give everyone premium connectivity for free. There is a cost associated with more wireless data.

By my estimation, the average cost to provide the additional data to the average Premium Connectivity subscriber is $6-$7/month. So they have pretty slim margins on the $100/year Premium Connectivity.

 

[Woodrick]

Tesla's agreement with AT&T is probably something similar to the MVNO agreements the big carriers have with the smaller "reseller" carriers such as US Cellular, Mint Mobile, etc. It most certainly doesn't have per MB charges or any kind of monthly data limit in them. The data is certainly unlimited, but AT&T "deprioritizes" MVNO carriers such that regular AT&T customers receive priority over MVNO carrier customers when towers are congested. Being de-prioritized means slower speed, dropped calls, etc.

I seriously doubt that they have a MVNO agreement. MVNO agreements are for resale of services and as is being discussed here, Tesla doesn't resale all of their services.

It's more than likely a high-volume agreement, similar to what the other car manufacturers have.
And Tesla doesn't use voice services, just data.

 

[Woodrick]

I upgraded to mcu2, 4g. Still get updates OTA.

You have evidently got some sort of grandfathered vehicle, just about a unicorn.

Everyone else get's the "Please connect to WiFi to download the update" message.

 

[Lasttoy]

Mine has always said that. Ignore it. I a week it will download.

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