SYNC Services in Canada

[fdeschenes]

I know that SYNC services isn't available in Canada but we've had navigation and cell phones for many years so I'm not sure why we can't have SYNC services up here. Has anyone ever been given an answer as to why it's not available? The vehicles are the same so it can't be a hardware/software limitation. Any other ideas?

[acdii]

Are you referring to the services on the NAV unit? Those may be satellite based, which means they aren't licensed in Canada.

[fdeschenes]

Are you referring to the services on the NAV unit? Those may be satellite based, which means they aren't licensed in Canada.

 

Are you kidding? We have satellites in Canada. As a matter of fact, they're the exact same ones as the ones in the United States. I've had GPS navigation that uses satellites on my 2005 Lincoln Navigator since, well, 2005!

 

But I'm more specifically talking about the non-navigation Fusions. The ones that only have "SYNC Services". My understanding is that the service uses the cell phone that's in the car to call a 1-800 number. We have cell phones, text messaging, 1-800 numbers and all sorts of other things up north. I really don't understand why Ford can't make the service available to us.

[danager]

I am betting it has to do with the service (cell network) in Canada. Yes we do have all those things you mentioned, yet Canada is an infant compared to the wireless services in the US. Also look at coverage, instead of a few dead spots, your car may not have service throughout entire provinces.

[fdeschenes]

I am betting it has to do with the service (cell network) in Canada. Yes we do have all those things you mentioned, yet Canada is an infant compared to the wireless services in the US. Also look at coverage, instead of a few dead spots, your car may not have service throughout entire provinces.

 

I agree that our cell coverage might not be the best most cities have cell phone services and so do most highways. We have 3G+ networks as well. There are a lot of "dead" spots but those areas also wouldn't have Ford dealerships and most people wouldn't drive through there, let alone need directions to the middle of nowhere. I travel a lot, especially to the United States considering that I live 30 minutes north of the border. As a Canadian, I can't even take advantage of the service in the United States. Even if I chose to pay for roaming fees. That's very frustrating.

[acdii]

OK the service you are referring to is like for doing the maintenance record and turn by turn directions, that use an 800 number. Chances are Ford doesn't have a Canadian 800 number for the system, and the one in the programming only works for the US 800 number. 800 numbers are region based, meaning an 800 number from Mexico can't be dialed from the US, and a US one can't be dialed from Canada. I'll have to check some of our Canadian customers to see what their numbers are. I work for a Telco VOIP, we can send US numbers to other countries via the internet, but those numbers can only be reached in the US.

 

Now, why Ford doesn't have a 800 number for Sync services in Canada, and programmed in Canadian cars, that's a good question. As for tha satillites, sure youhave GPS, but Sirius is limited. Right from their site;

Real-time traffic monitoring available in select markets. Some features are unavailable while driving. SIRIUS Radio U.S. service only available in the 48 contiguous United States and the District of Columbia

[fdeschenes]

OK the service you are referring to is like for doing the maintenance record and turn by turn directions, that use an 800 number. Chances are Ford doesn't have a Canadian 800 number for the system, and the one in the programming only works for the US 800 number. 800 numbers are region based, meaning an 800 number from Mexico can't be dialed from the US, and a US one can't be dialed from Canada. I'll have to check some of our Canadian customers to see what their numbers are. I work for a Telco VOIP, we can send US numbers to other countries via the internet, but those numbers can only be reached in the US.

 

Now, why Ford doesn't have a 800 number for Sync services in Canada, and programmed in Canadian cars, that's a good question. As for tha satillites, sure youhave GPS, but Sirius is limited. Right from their site;

 

I tried calling the 1-800 number that Ford uses and it just rings. 1-800 numbers aren't all that expensive to get and since SYNC was designed to allow different updates for different regions (for example, I can't have the directions and health report options here in Canada) so it shouldn't be hard to make a Canadian-specific version that dials a different number.

 

As for Sirius and XM satellite radio, we have those in Canada. Have a look at www.siriuscanada.ca. I have Sirius in my Ford Fusion and it works great.