2016 Buicks Offer OnStar 4G LTE Connectivity, Wi-Fi Hotspots

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Buick’s 2016 lineup will allow motorists to download OnStar 4G LTE connectivity and includes a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot for stronger Internet connections, which allows up to seven devices to connect.

“Customers’ daily lives are so entwined with personal devices, so the addition of OnStar 4G LTE and its integral Wi-Fi hotspot is a feature they will rely on,” says Duncan Aldred, vice president of Buick. “It allows busy people to stay connected throughout the day and provides another outlet for passenger entertainment on long trips.”

The 4G LTE, which Aldred says is the fastest mobile data network on the market, is available for the entire 2016 Buick model range, including the Cascada convertible, Encore, Verano, Regal, LaCrosse, among others.

The Wi-Fi hotspot turns on whenever the vehicle is on and comes with a three-month/three-gigabyte data trial. Six months of OnStar directions and connections service is standard with 2016 Buick vehicles. Connections services include a mobile app that allows users to control vehicle functions and access vehicle information. There’s also an opt-in service that allows drivers to check the location of family members’ vehicles online.

Wi-Fi hotspots are available from Audi, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and Volvo, among others.

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