With our smartphones in tow, we usually have access to data, whether it be 3G or 4G LTE, while we drive. It’s probably not the best idea to be using your phones while you drive, which is why Audi and AT&T have recently teamed up and announced a new plan in which they will be offering 4G LTE data plans to Audi’s 2015 A3 Sedan which will be released later this month.
According to the companies, this will be the first-ever in-vehicle 4G LTE connection offered in North America. The goal is to provide a way for the car’s infotainment system to be used in a similar way that one uses a smartphone, but at the same time reduce the driver’s need to look at their smartphones while they drive.
It sounds like a good idea although we’re not sure tinkering around with your car’s infotainment system while you drive is any better, but it could be an idea worth exploring. AT&T will be offering up Audi drivers a plan that will either go for 6 months or 30 months, with the former offering 5GB of data, while the later will offer 30GB of data.
For customers who are planning to get the A3 with the Audi Connect system, they will be given access to the 4G LTE plan for free, although it will only last for six-months, after which they will have to pay if they wish to continue receiving data while in the car.
AT&T will be charging customers $99 for the 5GB plan over 6 months, and a whopping $499 for a 30GB data plan over 30 months. It should be noted that the data is not renewed monthly, but it stretches over the course of the plan, meaning that if you blow through 5GB in the first two months, you’d be out of luck.