GM Wi Fi 4g LTE on without using the accessory option.

http://www.trucktrend.com/news/1703-gm-offering-unlimited-onstar-4g-lte-data-for-20-month/

Actually GM has offered unlimited data for $20/month starting in February 2017, I did not check if I could get it for a month and close it out after travelling from our Canadian home to Florida but I think one can, they do indicate the possibility of "throthling" for very large users which should not be a problem. That $20 I understand is also Canadian currency, I think it sounds like a good deal.
BTW Ichecked the speed when hooked up to the 4G LTE and I got 20 meg down and up in several spots between Eastern Canada and Florida which is great speed.
See above for one site on the GM offer.

ol Bombero-JC wrote:
(IMO) OnStar is a bit expensive - unless you feel ya gotta have it.
Even w/o it, you can still have Sirus XM and standard navigation.
(Sirius will cut you a great deal -price- if you let it lapse)

Pos solution for the OP - check out AT&T ZTE Mobley standalone $20 a month unlimited plan. (Purchase the device outright, or free w/2yr contract)
You can either plug it into the OBD port in your vehicle -and- buy/make a 110V converter for your RV/home.

BTW - in either location, *you* can set the delay for length of time it stays on - including "always on".

Threads:

On RV Net

On SKPs

Plus a few more threads if you search.
Also - info on the Howardforums



~

yes, the onstar wifi is expensive if you don't have an ATT plan. no disagreement.

and IF you have good cell reception, then a stand alone hot spot is less expensive and more convenient option. and the way to go.

But if cell reception is poor with your ATT phone/hotspot, the onstar WIFI has a more powerful amplifier and receiver and better antenna so there are spots where a regular cell phone will give NO signal and onstar phone/wifi has plenty of signal.

Or, if you are like us and have Verizon and don't have coverage, AND are in ATT range, then the onstar wifi is an option.

So, for us it's a good backup. between onstar ATT service and our verizon plan we pretty much get phone/wifi service anyplace it is available. which of course does leave plenty of places we get no cell service.

(IMO) OnStar is a bit expensive - unless you feel ya gotta have it.
Even w/o it, you can still have Sirus XM and standard navigation.
(Sirius will cut you a great deal -price- if you let it lapse)

Pos solution for the OP - check out AT&T ZTE Mobley standalone $20 a month unlimited plan. (Purchase the device outright, or free w/2yr contract)
You can either plug it into the OBD port in your vehicle -and- buy/make a 110V converter for your RV/home.

BTW - in either location, *you* can set the delay for length of time it stays on - including "always on".

Threads:

On RV Net

On SKPs

Plus a few more threads if you search.
Also - info on the Howardforums



~

Canuck Travellers wrote:
Only problem is the truck shuts down after 10 minutes, I guess I could leave the key in on accessories and lock up with second key.

another option you could try, don't know if it will work or not, would be to use the remote fob to start the car, let it run for a minute or so then turn it off and see if wifi is still on for 10 minutes. I haven't tried this and it may or may not work. I'm not sure if remote start turns on the onstar, wifi etc. and if it does what happens when you use the remote to turn off the vehicle.

Canuck Travellers wrote:
Only problem is the truck shuts down after 10 minutes, I guess I could leave the key in on accessories and lock up with second key.

yes, that 10 minutes or so is the downside. for us, we usually use our verizon hotspot (CDMA) , but if we can't get verizon reception, then we use the onstar wifi which is ATT (GSM). so, when on onstar wifi, which is kinda spendy anyway, I usually use the onstar wifi only for checking email, updating banking etc. etc. so 10 minutes usually is ok, if not I repeat the ritual.

Now if you have ATT service and have the onstar wifi as another device on your plan, and want to use it for long periods, don't know a solution. would be nice if there was an option to allow wifi timeout to be longer AND a little more power on thge wifi for more range.

Only problem is the truck shuts down after 10 minutes, I guess I could leave the key in on accessories and lock up with second key.

Thanks everyone, ktmrfs's solution is an easy,quick fix, never thought of that, that will get us thru for the most part...thanks!

MrWizard wrote:
Check to see if your hotspot is plugged into the Obd diagnostic port

Remove it, and get the model number
Then look online for a 12v or 120v power supply for it

it's not in the obdII port, it's part of the onstar system controlled by the accessory power.

Canuck Travellers wrote:
We have a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado with Wi Fi 4g LTE, it is great to use on the road but in a park when in our RV one must leave tne iginition key on accessory, not fond of doing this while in the RV.

Has anyone did a work around to allow the WIFI to be on and turn it off easily when done?

Thinking it requires a switch to replicate the accessory being on.
Any experience from users that have tried a work around is greatly appreciated, thanks!

actually it will run for about 15 minutes with ignition off, just like radio etc, provided you do NOT open the drivers door.

So, yes, it can be done, actually reasonably easily, but it will only run for about 15 minutes at a time. the solution is to get in the passenger side, turn the key to on to get wifi to start, then take the key out, and get out the passenger side. do NOT, repeat do NOT open the DRIVERS door. that is what turns the system off immediately.

oh, and locking the car after getting out the drivers side does not turn off wifi, at least on my 2015.5 duramax.

downside is that the wifi range isn't that great, it's likely designed to cover the car and not much else. I found 30-50 ft radius max.

Check to see if your hotspot is plugged into the Obd diagnostic port

Remove it, and get the model number
Then look online for a 12v or 120v power supply for it