Comma Prime Bring‐Your‐Own‐Internet

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WIP: Still needs comma openpilot low data mode implemented for non-unlimited plans e.g. https://github.com/commaai/openpilot/pull/30500

WIP! Forks like Sunnypilot have an option to disable on-road uploads. Stock comma does not though they will accept/help develop changes to do so.

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Comma Prime is a subscription service that enhances parts of the openpilot experience. Part of this experience requires internet connectivity to the backend.

For the duration of a drive, a constantly available internet connection is needed for this functionality with comma's openpilot and comma connect:

• Turn-by-turn navigation

With the vehicle off, the following functionality requires a SIM card and carrier practically; tethering is inadequate.

• Live GPS tracking
• Take pictures remotely

Comma Connect currently has two options for subscriptions. One is where comma handles the internet connectivity and gives you the SIM card. This is the simplest but is quite expensive and US-only. The other is "Lite" where you "Bring Your Own Internet". You can tether to your phone or provide your own SIM card.

This page keeps track of the bring your own SIM card options as experienced by the greater community. Carrier/Internet offerings are a chaotic and evolving landscape. You could pay comma to handle this chaos for you but if you are willing to brave that yourself, you can save quite a lot.

Desirable Features

• Cheaper than $20
• Provides 1-6GB of data.
• Provides a physical SIM. The C3/C3X do not support ESIM.
• Internet of Things Friendly
  • Account completely manageable through web interface and does not require an app.

Carrier Experiences/Compatibility

Canada

Verified

• Bell has a $10 for 1GB Tablet plan, works for me connection wise. But C3/C3X will likely use more than that, if you are not tethered to your phone hotspot while you drive. Maybe try the Flex plan but that gets expensive.
• Telus

  • Strange issue where forcing an APN via SSH is required to get the device to not try to use m2m.telus.iot as the APN. Unknown exact incantations. Reference: https://discord.com/channels/469524606043160576/1164776282689642567/1164795860467585044

  • Tested working Telus plans for Comma 3X:

    • Unlimited 25 - Unlimited nationwide, talk and text, and endless data (25GB high speed)
    • CAN-US Peace of Mind Access - Tablet
    • Use APN: sp.telus.com

Unverified

• None at the moment

Incompatible

• Bell
  • Unlimited Share Mobility Plan + $10 Unlimited Share Tablet plan: Doesn't work. It has to be a tablet purchased from Bell.

Note: Bell has a IMEI lock on all tablet plans. You can find your IMEI of your C3/C3X on logs found on your https://useradmin.comma.ai , and update the IMEI of your plan on Bell's web portal as of 2023-Oct-03.

United States

Verified

• T-Mobile
  • URLs
    • https://www.reddit.com/r/NoContract/comments/183u7jx/tmobiles_10_30gb_mi_hotspot_plan_hd_720p_600kbps/
  • Pricing
    • $10/mo 30GB and 600kbps afterwards, no fees. TAX INCLUDED!
  • Setup Notes
    • Just works
    • Confuses Reps/Stores, be wary.
• Tello
  • URLs
    • https://tello.com/buy/custom_plans
  • Pricing
    • $6/mo 1GB
    • $10/mo 2GB
    • $2 SIM
  • Setup Notes
    • Was previously used by SunnyHaibin of Sunnypilot.
• MobileX
  • URLs
    • https://mymobilex.com/plans/
  • Pricing
    • $2/mo + $2/GB
    • $15/mo 5GB unlimited plan, throttled to 512kbps after 5GB
    • $10 SIM
  • Setup Notes
    • App Only Management.
    • Needs a valid IMEI from anything.
    • SIM is ~$8 after 1st month credit
    • Use mx5g.vzwentp for APN, does not autoconfigure, then reboot
    • May take 10+ minutes to connect for the first time

Unverified

• T-Mobile Tablet Plan
  • URLs
    • https://www.t-mobile.com/cell-phone-plans/affordable-data-plans
  • Pricing
    • $10/mo, but $5/mo if you pay with a bank account
    • $Unknown SIM
  • Setup Notes
    • TBD

Incompatible

Misc. Topics

IMEI

Apparently there's a Quectel modem in there. It is insanely easy to find answers on changing the IMEI. You are responsible for respecting the laws though and not commiting fraud with the IMEI changing abilities. Make sure you record your old IMEI.

ESIM, Remote SIM Provisioning

Underinvestigated, unimplemented. Need to bring your own eSIM card. Hey, maybe comma could bundle one in the future.

ST33G1M2 chip , https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/truphone-limited/SIM-S-IO3-TRI-2-LP/11568181 + https://github.com/Truphone/LPAdesktop + https://forums.quectel.com/uploads/short-url/cBnrTmjnCg7OGnqRsk8dIpbHuVX.pdf APDU channel might be a path. Very under-investigated.

Comma's adeeb did confirm an esim.me device works. Programming is still done via another phone though. very primordial hello world pr: https://github.com/commaai/openpilot/pull/30262