Mercedes-Benz mbrace® - 3G Network Sunset FAQ

Technology is constantly evolving and the telecommunications industry is making changes to their networks to improve and increase their 4G and 5G capabilities. As a result, the wireless network carriers throughout the United States are decommissioning their 3G networks in 2022. Any hardware or device that operates on the 3G network will be unable to communicate including sending/ receiving data and performing services.

Mercedes-Benz mbrace services operate on the wireless network similar to your cell phone. Mercedes-Benz vehicles with factory-equipped telematics communication modules from model year 2000 to 2016 and select 2017 models, rely on the same 3G networks that are being decommissioned by wireless network providers. This means vehicles with and without an active mbrace subscription will no longer be able to utilize any mbrace services once the wireless network decommissions. The decision to phase out 3G technology was the decision of the wireless carriers and beyond our control.

The decommissioning will happen in two phases.

August 1, 2022 for the following model years (MY):

• MY2000 - 2012: All models
• MY2013: S-Class, CL-Class
• MY2014: AMG SLS, CL-Class

December 1, 2022 for the following model years:

• MY2013 – 2016: C-Class, E-Class, CLS, M-Class/GLE, GL, AMG SL, SLK/SLC, G-Class
• MY2013 – 2015: GLK
• MY2014 – 2016: B-Class, CLA, S-Class
• MY2015 – 2016: AMG GT
• MY2016: GLC, GLE Coupe
• Select MY2017: C-Class Coupe, GLS, AMG GT, S-Class cabriolet, S65 AMG Sedan

Please note all affected owners will also receive a letter from mbrace indicating their last date of service. MY2017 equipped with a 4G LTE communication module and all MY 2018 and newer are not affected. If you are unsure if your MY2017 is impacted you may contact mbrace Customer Care at 1-866-990-9007 to verify.

mbrace services work on a subscription basis. Owners without a subscription presently have no services available. Owners with an active mbrace subscription will no longer have access to any mbrace connected car features and services such as automatic collision notification, emergency call, information call, roadside call, stolen vehicle tracking, remote services and MB Apps through the infotainment system. Other infotainment services such as Navigation, Bluetooth and Sirius XM are not part of mbrace and will not be affected.

The mbrace subscription will continue to renew on a monthly basis until your decommission date. If you prepaid a subscription that ends after the decommission date, then you will receive a prorated refund from the date of decommissioning. The refund should appear on your credit card on file or by check in the mail within 30 days after decommissioning. Any questions about your subscriptions should be directed to mbrace Customer Care at 1-866-990-9007.

After the sundown of 3G network, the telematics communication module in your vehicle will become obsolete; however, we have teamed up with Verizon, our mbrace partner, to offer an OBD Dongle as an alternative solution. It’s a device called “Hum” and it plugs into your vehicles OBD diagnostic port to offer similar services as mbrace.

Hum by Verizon works as a cellular enabled OBD Dongle together with their mobile app to offer services such as vehicle tracking, Wi-Fi, Crash Response services and more. The Hum product is serviced and supported by Verizon and subject to their terms and conditions. More information on product and pricing can be found on their website at: Hum by Verizon | Hum Car | Verizon Wireless

Yes, the Mercedes me App will still be available. The connect pillar of the Mercedes me App, which serves the mbrace services in the app, will no longer be available. Your mbrace subscription will end on the sundown date and your mbrace account will no longer be linked in the app. All of the other pillars (home, assist, finance and inspire) will still be available.