You need a SIM for things like live traffic updates. The car won't come with one. Three will send you a free one that comes with 200mb of data a month, which is enough to feed traffic data.

If you want to share the car's Wi-fi hotspot with other devices, then you'll need a SIM with a bigger data allowance.

 

I don't want to contradict Mr Trilby however I think his answer maybe a little bit misleading, I apologise now if I am wrong of if I have misunderstood his reply.

Firstly, the Skoda Connect phone app does not need you to add SIM card in the car, the app communicates directly with the car with no need for you to add an data connection. It will give you loads of information such as mpg, where you left it, Windows open, mechanical updates etc. You need a licence to access this, first year is free but subsequent years are chargeable (£35 PA last time I looked).

What I think Mr Trilby is referring to is the infotainment system connect portal which does need a data connection, this is for traffic updates, map updates, navigation routes sent from the connect phone app etc..

You can use an additional SIM for the data connection of the infotainment system, wherever you go for that is up-to you. I however I use rSAP on my phone (business phone connection) so it uses my handset data for the infotainment (no need for SIM in car). Only point I will make is not all phones support rSAP, older Android and iPhones don't I believe.

 

Thanks for the correction! You're quite right - no SIM needed to get the Connect app on your phone to receive information from the car.

 

We find the WiFi Hotspot feature very useful. Obviously horses for courses, some people prefer to use their phone's data allowance, but if you want a cheap Sim then this one gives you 24gb for up to 2 yrs for less than £2 pm ( we find 1gb a month plenty )
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Love2surf-Three-Broadband-International-Calling/dp/B07CH3B4ZZ/ref=pd_sbs_107_2/259-8840403-6975968?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07CH3B4ZZ&pd_rd_r=bbdc86f9-7c6a-11e9-897d-134d6d1df9ba&pd_rd_w=Y8XwI&pd_rd_wg=I5PHH&pf_rd_p=18edf98b-139a-41ee-bb40-d725dd59d1d3&pf_rd_r=DQG5DZY6N7260238PC1W&psc=1&refRID=DQG5DZY6N7260238PC1W

 

We find the WiFi Hotspot feature very useful. Obviously horses for courses, some people prefer to use their phone's data allowance, but if you want a cheap Sim then this one gives you 24gb for up to 2 yrs for less than £2 pm ( we find 1gb a month plenty )
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Love2surf-Three-Broadband-International-Calling/dp/B07CH3B4ZZ/ref=pd_sbs_107_2/259-8840403-6975968?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07CH3B4ZZ&pd_rd_r=bbdc86f9-7c6a-11e9-897d-134d6d1df9ba&pd_rd_w=Y8XwI&pd_rd_wg=I5PHH&pf_rd_p=18edf98b-139a-41ee-bb40-d725dd59d1d3&pf_rd_r=DQG5DZY6N7260238PC1W&psc=1&refRID=DQG5DZY6N7260238PC1W

That's a cracking deal, I've been using a 12GB for £29.99 sim but will defo look at that instead.

Using car data as WiFi hotspot for kids iPads etc is very handy.