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Old Dec 15, 2023 | 02:35 PM
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Fordpass Wifi

Does anyone have Fordpass wifi and use it in remote areas. I travel to some rural areas and have T-Mobile cell service that is horrible. I thought about activating it and just use wifi calling from my cell phone, it would also allow use to use our computers. I was curious if the Ford F-250 wifi gets good reception or if a cell phone gets better. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Scott
 
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Old Dec 15, 2023 | 03:26 PM
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The built-in wifi is basically a cell phone, it uses AT&T cellular network, but it is only 4G LTE capable.
I have T-mobile for my phone, and I have the wifi activated and use wifi calling, and use a second phone for android auto and google maps using only the wifi.
Works fairly well, but there are still dead areas around the country, where neither t-moble or AT&T get a signal..
 
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Old Dec 15, 2023 | 03:59 PM
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'23+ 5g Modem

"but it is only 4G LTE capable."

I believe it's actually now a 5G Cellular Modem starting with the 2023's.
 
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Old Dec 15, 2023 | 04:32 PM
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Originally Posted by Turniipp
"but it is only 4G LTE capable."

I believe it's actually now a 5G Cellular Modem starting with the 2023's.
That is correct.
 
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Old Dec 15, 2023 | 05:22 PM
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Originally Posted by Turniipp
"but it is only 4G LTE capable."

I believe it's actually now a 5G Cellular Modem starting with the 2023's.
Originally Posted by jchristian11
That is correct.
But, the op has a 2019.
 
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Old Dec 15, 2023 | 06:07 PM
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I have a 23. The ATT WiFi is 5g where they have it. ATT WiFi went to dead zone (zero bars) going around the Boston Beltway, and of course there was an accident so no rerouting for traffic. Pulled out TMobile cell phone google maps and had signal that showed alternative routes BUT the best alternative was the one I passed when doing the swap. Big pia pulling a trailer because google has no height or length restrictions like my tablet Smart Truck Routes (oe Smart RV Routes).

My TMobile plan does not have enough fast Hotspot capacity to run it all the time…
 
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Old Dec 16, 2023 | 06:47 AM
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From what I learned the AT&T thing is only for the vehicle to have a "wifi hotspot" for users around the vehicle. I don't use that feature, I do use the other Ford feature for navigation. Works great, along with the good ol' stand by cell phone on T-Mobile.

I'd suggest that if you don't have phone cell service I doubt you will have "wifi hotpsot" service through your vehicle.
 
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Old Dec 16, 2023 | 08:37 AM
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I have a 22 f 350 with the AT&T wifi. Drove from Atlanta Ga to Alaska and spent the summer in Alaska. I have Verizon phone service. The wifi seemed to work pretty well and worked better than verizon in Alaska.
 
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Old Dec 16, 2023 | 09:34 AM
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I use the WiFi built into the truck all the time. I often Video Conference from my Laptop with Architects about jobsite problems. Just connect my laptop with the trucks Wifi and I'm good for 1/2 hour. My complaint is the power saving mode, shuts off the wife every 30 minutes. Since it's ATT I don't think it's any better or worse than my ATT cell phone. But I did notice when I'm really remote and my cell has no signal. I can still get Text messages In/out on the trucks signal.
 
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Old Dec 16, 2023 | 04:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Painted Horse
I use the WiFi built into the truck all the time. I often Video Conference from my Laptop with Architects about jobsite problems. Just connect my laptop with the trucks Wifi and I'm good for 1/2 hour. My complaint is the power saving mode, shuts off the wife every 30 minutes. Since it's ATT I don't think it's any better or worse than my ATT cell phone. But I did notice when I'm really remote and my cell has no signal. I can still get Text messages In/out on the trucks signal.
I suspect that is because the antenna on the roof is better than the cell phones antenna.
 
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Old Dec 16, 2023 | 08:05 PM
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Originally Posted by Scott357
Does anyone have Fordpass wifi and use it in remote areas. I travel to some rural areas and have T-Mobile cell service that is horrible. I thought about activating it and just use wifi calling from my cell phone, it would also allow use to use our computers. I was curious if the Ford F-250 wifi gets good reception or if a cell phone gets better. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Scott
I tried out the built-in WiFi on my 2020 F-350 and it worked fine with about a 50' range and I had AT&T as my carrier. The truck WiFi would work when my phone had no service, but there was a few times in the mountains that it didn't. The problem is that while camping I don't leave the truck on all the time for WiFi to work.

I just bought an AT&T Nighthawk 1100+ WiFi hotspot and connected it to my AT&T service. I just ordered dual -9db gain antennas for it and I'll give it a try while I'm traveling. I'll see how that works when I can travel again soon.
 
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Old Dec 17, 2023 | 06:00 AM
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Originally Posted by BDWSD22
I tried out the built-in WiFi on my 2020 F-350 and it worked fine with about a 50' range and I had AT&T as my carrier. The truck WiFi would work when my phone had no service, but there was a few times in the mountains that it didn't. The problem is that while camping I don't leave the truck on all the time for WiFi to work.

I just bought an AT&T Nighthawk 1100+ WiFi hotspot and connected it to my AT&T service. I just ordered dual -9db gain antennas for it and I'll give it a try while I'm traveling. I'll see how that works when I can travel again soon.
Definitely curious what gets the best connection. We are planning some long travels with our trailer and looking for wifi with best reception. Thought the truck might have it, but didn't think about a hotspot with antenna, never had one.

 
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Old Dec 17, 2023 | 01:12 PM
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There are gadgets that rv folks use to boost cell signals.
 
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Old Dec 17, 2023 | 05:11 PM
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Originally Posted by Painted Horse
My complaint is the power saving mode, shuts off the wife every 30 minutes.
You're complaining?
 
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Old Dec 17, 2023 | 05:55 PM
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The wife and I have been traveling around the country the last couple years. We tried several different cell-based hotspots, including the one built into the truck. We finally ditched them all and now use Starlink. So much better than cell based internet. We use Google Fi as our cell carrier, which uses T-mobile. With our cell phones as hotspots, ATT on the truck and Starlink, we can stay as connected as we want. Starlink works everywhere there are no trees blocking it's view of satellites and the two cell carriers cover 99.9% of the rest.

To answer the question, the truck has a bigger antenna than a cell phone.
 
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