Not sure if this has been posted, just wanted to share. The 3G network is shutting down in 2022. This article summarizes the impacts and has a list of affected cars.

https://www.thedrive.com/tech/43187/...screw-your-car

 

Not sure why Acura doesn't allow connection with our smartphones to bypass the built-in 3G or 4G module (same way we can use Wi-Fi or cellular data at home)? I'm not effected since I have a 18 RLX & 19 MDX; but, Acuralink is still slooooow with my updated (4G?) module.

 

This is disappointing. Acura is blaming the cellular carriers, but it has been common knowledge for a long time that 3G networks were being phased out. I never would have suspected that my 2016 RLX came equipped with an obsolescent 3G cellular device. It certainly should not have, given that 4G phones were introduced in 2009 in the U.S. I guess automakers hope that this planned obsolescence will encourage customers to buy new cars more often, but it certainly does nothing for their customers' perceptions of services like AcuraLink.

Apparently an updated cellular module for our cars costs $3-4k.

I only have the Standard subscription, so the affected services for me according to the link in the article provided by mrrobato are Real Time Traffic and Maintenance Reminders. I thought our cars provided maintenance reminders even without an AcuraLink subscription. Is this not the case? (I know, I should read the owner's manual!)