Imminent 3G closure to impact SOS emergency calls in popular cars: Hyundai, Kia, Ford, Land Rover, Jaguar and Genesis issue fixes

The connected-car systems for several auto brands in Australia won’t connect to emergency services in a crash from 28 October 2024 if customers don’t update their vehicle’s software.

Thousands of connected cars on Australian roads may be left incapable of making potentially life-saving automatic SOS emergency calls in a severe collision if owners do not act, once the 3G mobile network closes on 28 October 2024.

Many of the car brands affected have confirmed fixes for their vehicles to make them compatible with the newer 4G network – but owners must have software updates installed to prevent disruption to the services in their cars.

Hyundai, Kia and Genesis have confirmed a software update is required for their connected vehicles to support calling emergency services after the 3G network shuts down later this month.

Until recently, Hyundai, Kia and Genesis vehicles sold in Australia with Hyundai Bluelink, Kia Connect and Genesis Connected Services – first introduced in the Hyundai Palisade, Kia Niro and Genesis GV60 models two years ago – were limited to the 3G network for making phone calls.

Hyundai Bluelink, Kia Connect and Genesis Connected Services use a built-in SIM card for the Automatic Collision Notification function to connect to a call centre in the event of a severe collision.

The call centre operator can then dispatch emergency services to the vehicle’s GPS location.

The systems also include an overhead SOS button for a driver to reach the same call centre in emergency situations.

Navigation software updates released from July 2024 onwards for Hyundai, Kia and Genesis vehicles allow the affected cars to support Voice over LTE (VoLTE) instead of 3G to ensure the Automatic Collision Notification and SOS functions will work once the 3G network shuts down.

MORE: Will the 3G mobile network shutdown in Australia affect your car?

Mobile data-based functions from Hyundai, Kia and Genesis, such as locking and unlocking the vehicle remotely, have supported the 4G network since the connected-car services launched.

Hyundai, Kia and Genesis navigation software updates can be downloaded and installed by an owner using a USB stick, or affected vehicles can be taken to the dealer to have the update installed.

An over-the-air software update – downloaded over the internet without needing to visit a dealer or plug anything in – is also available for supported vehicles.

Hyundai: Official Hyundai Motors Navigation Update Website

Kia: Official Kia Navigation Update Website

Genesis: Official Genesis Navigation Update Website

The Hyundai Bluelink, Kia Connect and Genesis Connected Services telematics systems use the Optus network after the Hyundai Motor Group partnered with Optus’s parent company Singtel to provide SIM cards and mobile data for its connected technology in Australia.

Hyundai Bluelink is available in some versions of the i20, i30, Sonata, Venue, Kona, Tucson, Santa Fe, Palisade, Staria, Staria Load, Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 from 2022 or later.

Meanwhile, Kia Connect is available in some versions of the Seltos, Niro, Sorento, Carnival, EV5 and EV9 from 2022 or later, with the facelifted Sportage and EV6 due to follow soon.

MORE: Hyundai Bluelink connected car tech confirmed, detailed for Australia

Genesis Connected Services is fitted to the 2023-model-year-onwards GV60, 2024-onwards G70 and 2025 GV80.

As detailed here, some Ford, Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles sold in Australia from 2018 also require software updates to access the 4G network for certain features.

Meanwhile, the connected-car services in older BMW, Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles will no longer operate after the 3G network shuts down, including automatic emergency call functions.

An over-the-air modem software update began rolling out for Ford vehicles with the Sync 3 infotainment system in July 2023 to support the 4G network.

Drive has contacted Jaguar Land Rover Australia to confirm if a previously-announced over-the-air software update for its vehicles to switch from 3G to 4G for voice services has started rolling out to customers. This story will be updated with its response.

Other brands with connected vehicles including Toyota, Mazda, MG, Mercedes-Benz, BYD and Honda confirmed the 3G network closure will not impact their telematics systems.

Optus and Telstra initially planned to close their 3G networks at the end of August 2024, however, both telecommunications companies moved the shutdown date to 28 October 2024 to give people more time to prepare.

The closure of the 3G network – launched in Australia in 2003 – is intended to improve the capacity, speed and reliability of the newer 4G and 5G networks.

The post Imminent 3G closure to impact SOS emergency calls in popular cars: Hyundai, Kia, Ford, Land Rover, Jaguar and Genesis issue fixes appeared first on Drive.

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