Hi guys. I have a Xc90 17.mod imported from the us to Norway. I have been told from the Volvo dealership in Norway that it’s not possible to get the Volvo on call working in Norway. Is this really true? Are there any ways to fix this? Modem swap or something? It is really frustrating not to have the possibility to use the app features.
thomerl
Volvo on call Europe
1 reading
Oops, I replied in the XC90 thread, but mis-read. Same response applies, you need the local modem for the market (EU in this case) and a software reload to perform the market change to Norway. It will work, won't be easy. Also, the PSIM should be removed.
Hi,
would you happen to have more details about getting Volvo On-call to work in Europe for my 2018 XC60 US model?
Although my dealer said they will do the region change, once I got there the technicians said it won't work because of "satelite module incompatibilities - different frequencies". And that they cannot replace the module as it won't work.
Do the newer XC60 models use some module for direct satellite communication?
I found that really odd...my Sensus can see my location, but needs EU maps and they said they didn't want to break it.
would you happen to have more details about getting Volvo On-call to work in Europe for my 2018 XC60 US model?
Although my dealer said they will do the region change, once I got there the technicians said it won't work because of "satelite module incompatibilities - different frequencies". And that they cannot replace the module as it won't work.
Do the newer XC60 models use some module for direct satellite communication?
I found that really odd...my Sensus can see my location, but needs EU maps and they said they didn't want to break it.
Not quite sure which module they referred to but probably the service manage didn’t fully understand himself. He had contacted someone more knowledgeable from another branch and showed me a picture with the dedicated satellites for US and EU and said my car’s hardware can’t work with the EU satellites.
And here’s the reply I got from VCC International at Volvo Cars.
“I regret to inform you that you will not be able to use Volvo on Call and Sensus maps in your car in Europe. Due to the difference in hardware, vehicles with US-specification cannot use these services in Europe and vice versa.
About the article, it is possible to change the market and relocate with your vehicle, but as the article says, available services may vary depending on the market.”
Bummer!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
And here’s the reply I got from VCC International at Volvo Cars.
“I regret to inform you that you will not be able to use Volvo on Call and Sensus maps in your car in Europe. Due to the difference in hardware, vehicles with US-specification cannot use these services in Europe and vice versa.
About the article, it is possible to change the market and relocate with your vehicle, but as the article says, available services may vary depending on the market.”
Bummer!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Recently brought an XC60 2019 from the US to Europe.
Map update was no problem, you can do it yourself, all you need is an 64gb USB stick and download the Europe Map region from Volvos webpage.
This also activates the European RSI (Road Sign Information) in the dash.
Basically last item I'm hoping to fix is the VoC app.
I've located a few European Voc modems at car dismantlers, once I find some time I was thinking to try and swap out the US one with AT&T connectivity for a European one and play around a bit with VIDA to see if any programming goes through..
Fun fact, at one point, the modem somehow was able to connect to the network (guess AT&T had some network glitch and breifly allowed roaming?!) and the VoC app updated the cars location to Finland..
Also, I spoke with a few dealerships, who had no idea if a modem swap between regions is possible.
From Volvo Cars I heard it in theory should be possible, but not worth the money (4-5k€), just not sure what all parts they would need to swap out to get to those amounts...
Map update was no problem, you can do it yourself, all you need is an 64gb USB stick and download the Europe Map region from Volvos webpage.
This also activates the European RSI (Road Sign Information) in the dash.
Basically last item I'm hoping to fix is the VoC app.
I've located a few European Voc modems at car dismantlers, once I find some time I was thinking to try and swap out the US one with AT&T connectivity for a European one and play around a bit with VIDA to see if any programming goes through..
Fun fact, at one point, the modem somehow was able to connect to the network (guess AT&T had some network glitch and breifly allowed roaming?!) and the VoC app updated the cars location to Finland..
Also, I spoke with a few dealerships, who had no idea if a modem swap between regions is possible.
From Volvo Cars I heard it in theory should be possible, but not worth the money (4-5k€), just not sure what all parts they would need to swap out to get to those amounts...
I can't help you out here but this really got my interest since I do know the internal workings of mobile networks in much more detail I'd actually like to. 
In principle, the modem itself can't block access to any network (unless it's a CDMA device), that's a job dedicated to SIM module. So, in theory you should be able to dismantle the modem, locate the SIM card, and exchange it to whatever you like. But of course, Volvo might have chosen differently and the SIM is incorporated in the modem and can't be changed, or the software in the car might have vendor lock-ins to allow only select mobile carriers, or…
In principle, the modem itself can't block access to any network (unless it's a CDMA device), that's a job dedicated to SIM module. So, in theory you should be able to dismantle the modem, locate the SIM card, and exchange it to whatever you like. But of course, Volvo might have chosen differently and the SIM is incorporated in the modem and can't be changed, or the software in the car might have vendor lock-ins to allow only select mobile carriers, or…
Well, the SIM inside the modem is of embedded VQFN8 type, so while possible to replace, not as simple as with pluggable SIM cards.
Second, the subscriptions Volvo have with the carriers give them access to a specific APN, which kind of acts as a VPN to the VoC servers.
Meaning if you put in your own SIM, which has the regular 'internet' APN access, you won't be able to access the VoC servers from the public internet..
This is why a Volvo specific SIM/subscription/modem is needed as far as I can tell.
Second, the subscriptions Volvo have with the carriers give them access to a specific APN, which kind of acts as a VPN to the VoC servers.
Meaning if you put in your own SIM, which has the regular 'internet' APN access, you won't be able to access the VoC servers from the public internet..
This is why a Volvo specific SIM/subscription/modem is needed as far as I can tell.
Hej @scanparts
At which step do you get stuck? All you need to do is follow the steps mentioned here:
www.volvocars.com
Mvh,
Sebastian
At which step do you get stuck? All you need to do is follow the steps mentioned here:
Sensus Navigation 2016 map download | Volvo Support MT
Download and update the latest maps for your navigation system
www.volvocars.com
Mvh,
Sebastian
Hej @scanparts
Just follow the instructions, it will work.
My car only showed US and Canada as well.
Then I used the program in the link to install EUROPE maps (YOU CANNOT JUST PICK SWEDEN, it wont work).
Then when I plugged the USB to the car, it asks if you want to Change the region (from US/Canada, to Europe)
Sebastian
Just follow the instructions, it will work.
My car only showed US and Canada as well.
Then I used the program in the link to install EUROPE maps (YOU CANNOT JUST PICK SWEDEN, it wont work).
Then when I plugged the USB to the car, it asks if you want to Change the region (from US/Canada, to Europe)
Sebastian
Nope, nothing to pay, it should be free.
I clicked through all the steps in the program "Sensus_Update_SPA_Europe.exe" and then it downloaded the full Europe map.
Can you share a screenshot of what you see?
![Image]()
I clicked through all the steps in the program "Sensus_Update_SPA_Europe.exe" and then it downloaded the full Europe map.
Can you share a screenshot of what you see?
Hi again
You're absolutely right I got the EU maps installed and everything works fine. Took a hell of a time but now I can use the navi.
I got it all mixed up with the maps and the US to EU conversion.
Have you tried anything with the VOC hardware?
I got a message last week in my display saying VOC needs service and this have never worked for me.
You're absolutely right I got the EU maps installed and everything works fine. Took a hell of a time but now I can use the navi.
I got it all mixed up with the maps and the US to EU conversion.
Have you tried anything with the VOC hardware?
I got a message last week in my display saying VOC needs service and this have never worked for me.
Very much interested to know if anyone got to attempt the SIM/Modem swap or anything else to get the VoC to work in Europe (I recently moved from the US - where I got my 2019 S60 - and were able to get everything to work well other than the Radio and the VoC). Thanks!
Hi Thomas,
Interesting you mention the Radio, I’ve also noticed some channels can’t be found.
I have the yearly service scheduled in a couple of weeks, was going to ask if it’s simply a different radio SW they can swap out, but you believe it could be different HW?
Regarding VoC:
Didn’t yet find time / priority to try and swap out the modem.
Fun fact is that by using my personal SIM in the external slot (used for Spotify, weather, updates etc) I do get VoC notifications FROM the car, such as doors unlocked etc. but it’s impossible to pass any commands TO the car
Seb from Finland
Interesting you mention the Radio, I’ve also noticed some channels can’t be found.
I have the yearly service scheduled in a couple of weeks, was going to ask if it’s simply a different radio SW they can swap out, but you believe it could be different HW?
Regarding VoC:
Didn’t yet find time / priority to try and swap out the modem.
Fun fact is that by using my personal SIM in the external slot (used for Spotify, weather, updates etc) I do get VoC notifications FROM the car, such as doors unlocked etc. but it’s impossible to pass any commands TO the car
Seb from Finland
Hi All
Google brought me here
I recently bought a xc90 from USA to Poland and exact same question. Any success?
Google brought me here
I recently bought a xc90 from USA to Poland and exact same question. Any success?
For those who moved car from USA/Canada to Europe, can you connect the car modem or you have any error message?
I tried in mine and says VOC is activated and modem connects.
Another question, can I install apps without having VOC?
I tried in mine and says VOC is activated and modem connects.
Another question, can I install apps without having VOC?
I also looked for the solution to this USA car in Europe VOC issue (i have xc40 2021 with pluggable sim). The coders in Eastern Europe (who often know more than the official Volvo) told it's not usually done due to the costs involved ("to try 2-3k eur")...also the likely problem is that Volvo will have to update your car's location/status in their servers and if they don't do the official retrofit themselves (e.g. for the modem) they are probably not going to agree to do it. if anyone managed to make some progress with this issue pls do share. for now those coders have coded out my own VOC so i don't get error messages.
@keltis99 I have been thinking to get the d5t5 vdd dongle, that would make identical work (gps track, remote heating bla bla).
Problem here is that their website is a bit looking non update for a longe time, via facebook messenger the support was reduced and via email I have not yet received a reply after 1 week email.
Problem here is that their website is a bit looking non update for a longe time, via facebook messenger the support was reduced and via email I have not yet received a reply after 1 week email.
If Volvo only enabled Data Roaming for those embedded AT&T SIM cards in the telematics module I think VOC could work here in Europe
Didn’t try the telematics swap yet.. still tempted, but doubt it would be plug & play..
Didn’t try the telematics swap yet.. still tempted, but doubt it would be plug & play..
@sebamattsson I ended up to order vdd dongle from d5t5. Not the same thing, but does give a nice support, since VoC not available.
Sadly, don't find a way to connect to my home assistant like VoC would.
Sadly, don't find a way to connect to my home assistant like VoC would.
@jamiro
Thanks for the info, also looked into that one.
Didn’t order yet as I have got no answers from support example on how remote start works on a T8 etc. which engine do you have?
The other point is that not sure how comfortable I am with a 3rd party basicallly having access to my vehicle, gps location etc. unless I’ve misunderstood how it works.
Cheers
Thanks for the info, also looked into that one.
Didn’t order yet as I have got no answers from support example on how remote start works on a T8 etc. which engine do you have?
The other point is that not sure how comfortable I am with a 3rd party basicallly having access to my vehicle, gps location etc. unless I’ve misunderstood how it works.
Cheers
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