Since 2012 when the first Model S was released, Tesla has offered free what they call ‘premium connectivity’ which is cellular connectivity – and for a long time it was offered for free when the car was purchased.

Then, in 2014 Tesla announced that for four years, the cellular connectivity would be offered at no charge but for only four years. But that deadline came and nothing happened. Now, car owners who bought a new car from 1st July 2018 onwards will no longer have unlimited access to free cellular, Tesla is now in the process of letting users know that they are being switched to a 30-day free trail of premium connectivity.

• Standard Connectivity offers basic maps & navigation, music & media over Bluetooth® and software updates over Wi-Fi. Note: Important safety updates will continue to be available over the car’s cellular connection.
• Premium Connectivity adds satellite-view maps with live traffic visualization, in-car streaming music & media, an internet browser (for Model S and Model X), and over-the-air software updates via Wi-Fi and cellular.

Any customers who bought a Tesla before 1st July 2018 will have unfettered access to cellular data and all the niceties that go with it.