[Mrcook23]

Has anyone with the i5 had any issues getting the eSIM working? I have everything set up with ATT, but it seems like it’s a issue on BMW side. I was told they opened a ticket but that’s the last I heard.

[Golfn]

Originally Posted by Mrcook23

Has anyone with the i5 had any issues getting the eSIM working? I have everything set up with ATT, but it seems like it’s a issue on BMW side. I was told they opened a ticket but that’s the last I heard.

Keep us posted if you get this resolved. Does the YouTube app Video streaming work via WiFi in the mean time?

Does the streaming video go full screen?

[CharlieBravo]

Originally Posted by Golfn

Keep us posted if you get this resolved. Does the YouTube app Video streaming work via WiFi in the mean time?

Does the streaming video go full screen?

Following because I have similar questions...

[bmw_maniac]

In Germany BMW now has partnered with Ubigi to provide eSIM integration for those that do not have Vodafone or Telekom.

When setting up eSIM it will give you the QR code to set it up on your phone browser and then give you the option of Vodafone, Telekom, or Other. When selecting Other it takes you to Ubigi.me where you can sign up with Ubigi for €10 per month for unlimited data in Europe (data will slow down after 100GB).

The process is seamless from there and the eSIM is set up. I had hopes that they would enable the SIM Reader so I can use my current provider (O2), but this is a nice option for now.

Ubigi then allows you to use the eSIM for data only (no phone calls) and from what I can tell the benefits you get are the Hotspot feature, as well as the YouTube and the Bundesliga app. The Video app interestingly was already working without eSIM.

Overall, for €10 per month, this may not be worthwhile for everyone. I will see what my experience is.

[attack7777]

Originally Posted by bmw_maniac

In Germany BMW now has partnered with Ubigi to provide eSIM integration for those that do not have Vodafone or Telekom.

When setting up eSIM it will give you the QR code to set it up on your phone browser and then give you the option of Vodafone, Telekom, or Other. When selecting Other it takes you to Ubigi.me where you can sign up with Ubigi for €10 per month for unlimited data in Europe (data will slow down after 100GB).

The process is seamless from there and the eSIM is set up. I had hopes that they would enable the SIM Reader so I can use my current provider (O2), but this is a nice option for now.

Ubigi then allows you to use the eSIM for data only (no phone calls) and from what I can tell the benefits you get are the Hotspot feature, as well as the YouTube and the Bundesliga app. The Video app interestingly was already working without eSIM.

Overall, for €10 per month, this may not be worthwhile for everyone. I will see what my experience is.

Interesting - I wonder if they'll do something like this in the US for people without the big expensive carriers.

[MikeElmendorf]

I can't get it to set up because my Verizon account is a business account.

[bmw_maniac]

Originally Posted by attack7777

Interesting - I wonder if they'll do something like this in the US for people without the big expensive carriers.

Here is the press release.

It seems they are focusing on Europe for now.

https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/globa...on?language=en

[Andrey K]

Originally Posted by bmw_maniac

In Germany BMW now has partnered with Ubigi to provide eSIM integration for those that do not have Vodafone or Telekom.

When setting up eSIM it will give you the QR code to set it up on your phone browser and then give you the option of Vodafone, Telekom, or Other. When selecting Other it takes you to Ubigi.me where you can sign up with Ubigi for €10 per month for unlimited data in Europe (data will slow down after 100GB).

The process is seamless from there and the eSIM is set up. I had hopes that they would enable the SIM Reader so I can use my current provider (O2), but this is a nice option for now.

Ubigi then allows you to use the eSIM for data only (no phone calls) and from what I can tell the benefits you get are the Hotspot feature, as well as the YouTube and the Bundesliga app. The Video app interestingly was already working without eSIM.

Overall, for €10 per month, this may not be worthwhile for everyone. I will see what my experience is.

Do you know if bmw plans to enable sim reader in us?

[bmw_maniac]

Originally Posted by Andrey K

Do you know if bmw plans to enable sim reader in us?

I don’t know, but the fact that they did not enable it in Germany and instead created a partnership with a 3rd party eSIM provider makes me suspect that they don’t plan to enable the SIM reader on the G60. It’s just a hunch though. If they do enable it, it would come through an iDrive software update.

[lilstevie]

Originally Posted by bmw_maniac

I don’t know, but the fact that they did not enable it in Germany and instead created a partnership with a 3rd party eSIM provider makes me suspect that they don’t plan to enable the SIM reader on the G60. It’s just a hunch though. If they do enable it, it would come through an iDrive software update.

My G60 came with a sim reader, so it’s definitely a regional thing

[Andrey K]

I wonder if it might be coded in countries where its unavailable

[lilstevie]

Originally Posted by Andrey K

I wonder if it might be coded in countries where its unavailable

I think that’s probably the likely situation. In Australia we don’t appear to have any carriers that support BMWs eSIM integration, so instead we get the personal sim reader

[Andrey K]

In canada theres no bmw esim supportive carrier and no sim reader allowed in bmw 8.5

[Mac545]

Originally Posted by lilstevie

I think that’s probably the likely situation. In Australia we don’t appear to have any carriers that support BMWs eSIM integration, so instead we get the personal sim reader

Same here in UK, no supported eSIM companies, but I was given the sim reader.

What does the eSIM offer anyway, as I still have all access to everything needed…..?

[bmw_maniac]

Originally Posted by Mac545

Same here in UK, no supported eSIM companies, but I was given the sim reader.

What does the eSIM offer anyway, as I still have all access to everything needed…..?

It enables the hotspot feature, YouTube, and Bundesliga (in Germany). Also if you use your phone’s eSIM it uses the car’s antenna for better reception.

Has anyone been able to get the SIM Reader to work in an i5? To be specific, the SIM reader is a little device that holds a plastic SIM and is supposed to be an alternative to using an eSIM.

I never got the SIM Reader to work (setup never proposes SIM Reader as an option) which is why I like this new option.

[lilstevie]

Originally Posted by bmw_maniac

Has anyone been able to get the SIM Reader to work in an i5? To be specific, the SIM reader is a little device that holds a plastic SIM and is supposed to be an alternative to using an eSIM.

I never got the SIM Reader to work (setup never proposes SIM Reader as an option) which is why I like this new option.

Yes, it was a bit of a pain and stuck in some weird state the first time I tried to set it up, second time it took a few hours to activate but then worked, and has been working ever since

[leasehackr]

So looks like there is additional charge to do this in USA - TMOBILE provider?

Just tried and last page shows
Magenta Drive for BWM TE
Price $20/month

why T-Mobile is charging additional? isn't this additional esim to the same line?

[LVBMW]

Originally Posted by leasehackr

So looks like there is additional charge to do this in USA - TMOBILE provider?

Just tried and last page shows
Magenta Drive for BWM TE
Price $20/month

why T-Mobile is charging additional? isn't this additional esim to the same line?

It’s hard to understand what you’re asking. Are you asking if activating the eSIM should be free? It carries a monthly charge regardless of your cellular provider. $20 per month is pretty standard.

[SkykingUSA]

Originally Posted by leasehackr

So looks like there is additional charge to do this in USA - TMOBILE provider?

Just tried and last page shows
Magenta Drive for BWM TE
Price $20/month

why T-Mobile is charging additional? isn't this additional esim to the same line?

I have a T-Mobile phone and I have that line extended to my Google Pixel Watch for $10/month more. Just because it's basically the same number doesn't mean you get it for free.

I suppose they want to charge $20/month for the car instead of $10/month like for my watch because they probably expect the car to use more data than a watch. Just my guess. I may look into it more with T-Mobile once I get my car.

[scas12]

I believe the eSIM on tmobile is associated with a number for the car and there is some way in which that connects with your phone. Not sure about the ins and outs of how it works.

Still don't get the value of it though.

[LVBMW]

Originally Posted by scas12

I believe the eSIM on tmobile is associated with a number for the car and there is some way in which that connects with your phone. Not sure about the ins and outs of how it works.

Still don't get the value of it though.

It works with several cell carriers including AT&T. It allows you to make and receive calls at your usual cell phone number even if the phone is not in the car. It allows calls to use the car’s larger 5G antenna for better cell reception. It also enables the You Tube and Bundesliga apps.

[scas12]

Originally Posted by LVBMW

It works with several cell carriers including AT&T. It allows you to make and receive calls at your usual cell phone number even if the phone is not in the car. It allows calls to use the car’s larger 5G antenna for better cell reception. It also enables the You Tube and Bundesliga apps.

Yeah, I get that bit, but that hardly seems worth $20 per month.