To use the Verizon SIM I had to change the APN to:

vzwinternet

That let it work right away. All the rest of the fields are blank. They had no values in them at all when I first opened that set of preferences. I'm assuming I'd have to blank the APN again to go back to using the AT&T SIM.

 

The T-Mobile profile was already in, no differences here...

 

I don't know how T-Mobile handles it, but my experience with other carriers over the years was that you always had to change at least some part of the APN and other values in order for the device to make a proper login. The SIM just handles getting the radio to communicate on the network. The APN and other info is needed by the software on the device to do the necessary handshaking to set up a data connection. Some carriers were more picky about this than others, especially in situations where one carrier was buying air time from another to fill in coverage gaps. As in, the radio was using one carrier's network (not the one you contracted with) and the APN info was another layer of negotiating used to get from there to your carrier's data backbone. That and it factored into the billing the providing carrier would send to your carrier. You typically never knew this was happening.

That and some carriers attempted to do some of this 'automagically' for you. This didn't always work right. And none of the "support" personnel were ever really trained well enough to know how to do it manually. Thus a lot of stupid folklore would emerge on forums as various random users tried all kinds of dumb incantations. Not realizing that some of the errors didn't matter because the underlying cell networks weren't configured as securely as they should have been. As in, ignored the APN, username/password info and just let things talk. But then you'd wander into a cell that WAS configured right and nothing would work, but then the radio would fall back to an older (slower) format that would work. It was... annoyingly messy.

So my feeling is "you don't know until you know" and it's damned hard to find facts to prove it. I always start by searching xda-developers and other 'enthusiast' forums. Folks there tend to really pry into the details. Eventually you hit upon someone that has really delved into it and often gotten some decent inside information from carrier technical folks (not just support drones or store personnel).

 

You seem to have dealt with that before. You're absolutely right about the magical thinking in the forums. Knowledge seems to be finicky these days, we either hit a wall of ignorance from the "technical support" or if you find someone that actually understands how things work you hear the speech of beyond the scope of a general user, we can't tell how to do that...

The T-Mobile setting in the SIM card is restricted to the name, user and password are blank both in the PCM or any othe device (i.e. My cell)

I'll kee trying other options. Quite annoying.

 

I'd start by searching for how to use a T-mobile SIM in a device not intended to be used with one. As in, a customer on one network wanting to now use a T-Mobile SIM instead. Or any carriers, for that matter.

The tricky part for vendors is skirting around the loudly complaining idiots accusing the vendors of all sorts of conspiracies or other shenanigans. Sure, there's always going to be some 'behind the scenes' factors involved in any kind of implementation. Somebody's contracted to someone, somewhere, or has some kind of 'vested interests' that lead to decision making that's not necessarily going to turn into the "best" solution for customers. As in, cheapest, fastest, whatever. And then you have layers of 'interpretation' being slathered on top of it by well meaning but often woefully mis-informed people. Sometimes inside the companies, resellers/dealers or "journalists". All of which gets additionally mis-cast by the complainers and, well, the ****-storm ensues. Sometimes because someone, somewhere made a dumb set of decisions that painted the vendor into a corner.

Anyway, I'd focus most on the radios in the PCM and how well they function in your area. If you're in an area without really excellent coverage using T-Mobile then that has to get factored into figuring things out. How you'd really nail this down is a good question. But knowing that will help avoid incorrect assumptions moving forward.

Be prepared to geek out a bit in forums focusing on using other carrier devices with a T-Mobile SIM. That'd give you the best baseline on which to start. Because if nobody else is having success doing that with other gear then I would hold out a lot of hope trying to get the PCM to play along.

 

I've been reading some threads over in the Electronics sub-forum over at the Macan Forum.

http://www.macanforum.com/forum/electronics/

A lot of which seems to apply to the Cayenne also.

 

Even using my phone as hotspot is not working (online search or traffic) both Cayenne and 911, phone hotspot or dedicated hotspot (Alcatel, which I shall return)

Aggravating, given my 991.1 worked with aha, which in itself is a joke of an App but at least free and wireless if you use android.

Next attempt, use number portability and try switch from att using the given SIM card to t-mobile maintaining the original sim number. It may work, I already checked the number is allowed to transfer

The APN settings that I could access were minimal and made no difference

Funny if you try with a T-Mobile SIM card in to manually search for network, it only appears at&t. Seems the head unit may only find the att channels as suggested in other forums

 

I would not think the AT&T "number" for the SIM would make any difference. I'd be more inclined to think you'd make things worse playing around with that.

I only had to change the APN string, nothing else. When I changed the APN string I then took the SIM out and then reinserted it. This immediately gave me full data services (hotspot, traffic, etc).

There's a lot of other stuff that can be happening behind the scenes. Don't change too many things at once without a better understanding of what the carriers in question are doing in your market. All of this layers together and is additionally influenced by whatever tiers of service you have configured for the SIM.

 

I agree, I opened a ticket with Porsche because it seems that the google services are blocked ( earth, traffic and search) . The hotspot still works either with an outside hotspot (bridge-like) or using T-Mobile SIM card. I think the handshake with the google services and non-att provider is the issue.

Nowhere in the documentation there's a statement that the services will only work with att. I feel like a compulsory beta user, which is aggravating in a car this price.

 

Now both PCNA and the SA say that to get google services (traffic, google earth and online search) data must go through the att SIM card. Not another vendor and not through hotspot.

There's not a single piece of written information that says that. If others feel cheated as I do...

 

It's a bit of a leap to toss about terms like "cheated". Really, isn't there enough of that on the Diesel threads?

It's unclear, that's for sure. Because I can tell you, for an absolute fact, that the PCM will get all of those services through another SIM. My past experience with how these things gets configured tells me there's more to the story. Any time there's a layer of contractors/vendors involved, there's chance for the story to get misinterpreted. AT&T, Porsche, Vodaphone, Cobra, etc.

An additional issue to consider is that hotspot services aren't necessarily enabled on all cell plans. Cell carriers have screwed around with this over time. Some allowed it deliberately, some mistakenly left it enabled, some partially crippled it (allowing for on-phone config edits to enable it) and then others took layered steps to actively prevent it. I make this point because using a SIM in a situation where hotspot services are being "controlled" (and I use that term euphemistically) there's a likelihood that the PCM software isn't going to be able to figure it out.

It can be difficult to figure out if that's happening, as even a card setup to be used in a specific hotspot-capable device might not work in another device type because of cell carrier configuration controls. The carriers can tie services to the hardware; by brand/model or even down to individual device's hardware address (IMEI).

Perhaps it's worth looking into the cell service and the SIM's intended device. Find out what it takes to use that carrier's SIMs in hardware they don't normally sell. If it's even possible or, more importantly, if it's known to be something the carrier deliberately blocks.

Me, I suppose I got lucky. I've got a SIM that was in a Pantech UML-290 USB cell modem. These being designed to be plugged into a PC/Mac to provide data services. The SIM is not from phone and doesn't have voice or SMS services activated on it. I've been able to use it in a variety of situations. Inside the Pantech plugged into a PC, of course, but also plugged into a router with USB port (works great for hotels, on the boat, etc). And then removed from the modem and plugged into other devices like tablets and now the PCM.

This provides a couple of points to consider:

1. Yes, the PCM will successfully use a non-AT&T SIM.
2. The servers providing the data aren't limited to talking to just an AT&T SIM
3. Is it because the PCM isn't checking in the revision of software it has installed, and how it's configured?
4. Is the IP range the SIM gets from Verizon 'close enough' or 'not being blocked'?
5. Is the data plan with Verizon different, in some way, than other SIMs being tested?
6. Is it because the AT&T plan is still active?
7. Would the AT&T SIM work in a device other than the PCM?

#6 intrigues me because I can't test against it.
#7 is something I might be able to test (not today though, guests coming)

My PCM was activated at the PEC Atlanta. Activating the SIM is one thing. That just allows this particular SIM to communicate with AT&T's network. It's possible for a SIM to be tied to just a specific device IMEI, but not all carriers bother. But in addition to the SIM being activated, presumably the process also activated my specific PCM with "the servers" providing data. I don't know what was involved in that activation as it was done for me. I don't know what numbers had to be typed into which databases. I'm assuming my VIN had to somehow be entered somewhere into database(s) associated with services. I don't know what the PCM uses when it makes data connections. I don't know if it uses it's own unique ID number, the IMEI, the vehicle VIN or something else entirely.

So right now when I ask the PCM to do something requiring online data it has to be somehow identifying itself with the servers. Clearly those services don't care that the requests aren't coming from just an AT&T network. Which makes sense since the PCM supports using an external hotspot (on some other device) to make it's connections. This means that there's got to be something the PCM is using to identify itself. That ID is being used by the services to allow access. I'd wonder what that information is, how it's configured (either on the PCM itself or via some web portal) and how to confirm that it's set up properly.

Because it'd be entirely possible to have the communication layers figured out but not be able to do anything because of a database issue, and vice-versa.

Given the number of players involved in this situation I can understand why some of them are going to fall back on quoting the party line and saying it "requires" an AT&T SIM. Because if you're using that then presumably that takes the communication layers out of the already complex process. But knowing what I know about carriers, SIMs and IMEI situations, that's both NOT a guarantee of reliability nor even accurate.

So where does that leave us? Well, right now mine works on Verizon so I'm happy. I'm curious to see if that changes when the now-unused-AT&T-SIM contract expires in 3 months. Which I fully expect will be a clusterf*ck of wasted time trying to fight with AT&T to not renew or bill me. My question is whether the termination/deactivation of the AT&T SIM will trigger a ripple of other changes that would disable PCM functions.

 

All valid points. I'm considering stopping by a Verizon store and ask to try a SIM card. Good to know yours came from a USB modem, I'll ask for that.

As for the connection versus valid att data service, I experiment the same issues in my car (att trial is done) and my wife's (still have time and gb left).

I cannot connect using a SIM card from T-Mobile as discussed or using a dedicated hotspot (Alcatel) or the iphone as hotspot. Interestingly enough, the PCM works fine as a hotspot in both situations (bridge-like as it connected to a separate device). So, it's only google services that is blocked and the data or valid plan doesn't seem to matter.

When I activated my SIM card they asked for the vin , I'm not sure if it matters as they may be only checking if this is a valid client given 3 months free (they are so generous!).

I'm very aggravated by Porsche behavior. The lady on the 0800 service said that the manuals are just for general reference and don't entirely apply for the US market! When I asked what about the website, she choked... they pretend to care as an upscale manufacturer, but in the end they are all the same.

 

Again, point the blame in the right direction. Porsche contracted with an outside company for this (Cobra/Vodaphone). You're not dealing with Porsche direct for this. Yes, it was up to Porsche corporate to pick someone to do that, and that choice is coming up short for some. I'd hardly use that as a broad brush to complain about the company overall. I mean, really, don't let your frustration get ahead of you.

But don't think I'm defending the choice, not at all. I was likewise unimpressed by how they handled my account being activated... but not activated. Took them three days to untangle it. And I hadn't done anything at that point other than activate the Car Connect app on my wife's phone first, instead of mine. It would appear some database on their end didn't quite get set up properly. Knowing what I know about software services I'm not surprised.

So, yeah, I'm less-than-thrilled with Cobra/Vodaphone (or whoever the heck it is).

I shudder to think of how the average dealer would screw this up.

Since you have two AT&T SIMs, can you confirm that all services from the PCM work using an unexpired/active one in both PCM units? That'd be the first step in confirming the database servers are configured to allow both PCM units to communicate, independently of the SIM.

If the SIM works in one but not the other then I'd question whether the non-working PCM is configured properly (on the server-database-side). This would be a Cobra/Vodaphone issue.

Then try using both PCMs without a SIM, but through a phone offering a hotspot TO the PCM. If that continues to work then the databases for the PCMs are presumably configured correctly.

Only AFTER you know what's working would I branch out to trying other SIMs. There's something to be said for nailing down all the known good/bad combinations before adding others. Especially because of the frustration and stress of trying to talk to cell carrier support folks. Verizon's service is great... unless you have to call someone for support. Then it's often a rage-inducing exercise in extreme frustration. Made worse, probably, because I know what I'm talking about but 1st tier support folks aren't always as well-informed and often make things worse on their end.

 

Did all that as part of my troubleshooting:

Connected successfully using the Cayenne sim card that still has data on it in the 911.

Failed to connect, although the head unit still works as a hotspot, if I used T-Mobile SIM card or external hotspot (either dedicated or iPhone).

The only way as of now to reach google services is obtaining data trough their SIM card. As I said before, this is not mentioned anywhere. Not a single terms of services contains that tidbit.

Porsche says that if a different brand SIM card works, go ahead. Then later the stealership says that the only way is through the att SIM card, not even hotspot. The manual and website says that a hotspot is a viable option.

I blame Porsche because they either chose this path out of a small profit or they are incompetent to foresee that not all their customers will want to use att. Furthermore, the stealerships are far from trained as well as their call center. At this price I'd expected a bit more professionalism. If you offer a service, offer it well or step aside.

 

To clarify, it's only not working through THAT particular T-Mobile SIM card.

It absolutely DOES work through a Verizon card. I have not had the AT&T card in the PCM for over a week and everything still works just fine.

Now, I'm not making the leap to claim it's only a Verizon SIM that'd work as an alternative to AT&T. Nor am I thinking there's anything wrong with T-Mobile's network.

I do wonder, however, what plans or restrictions might be present through the account using that SIM. It's entirely possible that a T-Mobile SIM would work. But without knowing more about T-Mobile's plan options I'd only be guessing. I know other cell carriers have put restrictions on SIMs, for all kinds of reasons.

Does that SIM work in any of the PCMs?

Do you have any other kind of device that you could use that SIM to provide a hotspot? That'd allow testing the PCM->WiFi->hotspot->SIM->T-Mobile. I have a portable router that'll use a USB modem with my Verizon SIM. I believe it's also possible to configure a USB modem with a PC or Mac and have that act as a hotspot. Because if you managed to get a hotspot working then you could confirm it's the route through the SIM that's not working.

Look, I'm not trying to convince you it's not Porsche's fault. But it seems like you're looking for bogey-men and conspiracies here and I just don't think there are any.

This is not the trivial setup most folks "think it should be". Porsche offers a service that DOES work for a great many people. I'm choosing not to use it because I don't want yet another cell account. That and I personally despise AT&T.

I'm fortunate in that my particular SIM and level of service on the account happens to work. I didn't request anything 'special' from Verizon, other that I pay for a 10gb/month plan. I'm fortunate that it worked all the way up on the drive from Atlanta to Maryland. I'm sure there were a few points where coverage lapsed, but for the most part it seemed to work flawlessly.