Introducing the BMW Digital CPT8000 phone system by Motorola
This is the title of the brochure for the new phone. I have it in my hand. I've been waiting for this phone since I got my M5 in late Oct, my 2001 was built in 9/2000. I've been told this phone will probably finally arrive in Feb. and was excited to at least get the brochure and pictures. Now for the very disturbing news: On the last page it says "The BMW Digital CPT8000 phone system is a BMW center installed accessory for the X5, BMW 3 (except Z3), and 5 Series produced after !2/1/00. It is standard on Z8 and 7 Series vehicles produced after 1/1/01. Most BMW models are prewired for easy installation of the Digital CPT8000." This sounds like it excludes 99% of all of us who now own M5s and I just hope it doest mean what it says. Nothing BMW does would surprise me; I don't consider them to be too customer oriented. Can anyone shed a better light on this?
That sounds like what others have reported here. I had read that the M5s built after 1/00 would be upgradable- so if BMW is saying after 2/00 thats pretty close. Supposedly they changed the wiring or something.
This is the official FAQ for the CPT8000. See question 7..
Arie.
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1. What's new with the BMW Digital CPT8000?
The handset
The phone handset has been updated from a single-band phone to the digital dual-band, tri-mode Motorola TimeportTM series phone, which switches automatically between digital (800 and 1900 MHz) and analog (800 MHz) signals to help ensure excellent coverage.
One exception to this is the AT&T StarTAC phone which became available for 7 series in the Fall of 2000. It is a dual mode tri-band phone.
New carriers and rate plan options.
The service providers for the Digital CPT8000 are Verizon, AT&T, Sprint PCS and Cingular. Each provides single price (one-rate type) airtime packages with no roaming and no long-distance charges.
Caller ID message display.
Caller ID is available for display on vehicle on-board monitors, MID and radio displays.
2. When will the Digital CPT8000 be available?
The phone will be available early 2001 at BMW centers nationwide. We are finalizing telephone software with the four carriers and are currently in the manufacturing process for the vehicle components. In a few weeks, we will provide more detailed information on an exact launch date. This information will be broadcast as a BMW center bulletin.
3. Will the phone be available for all BMW vehicles?
Yes (except for Z3). The phone system will be standard on all 7 Series and Z8 vehicles. It will be available as an accessory on all other vehicles.
4. Will the current Digital CPT7000 system continue to be available?
With the launch of the new Digital CPT8000, the CPT7000 will be discontinued. Most carriers will no longer activate single-band digital cellular telephones; They now require the use of dual-band, tri-mode phones such as the Digital CPT8000. Note: The CPT7000 dual-band phone for AT&T Digital One Rate plan that came out in September 2000 will continue to be available until inventory has be depleted.
5. Will voice activation be available with the new Digital CPT8000?
Though voice activation is not a function of the CPT8000 phone system, BMW plans to offer a voice activation module that is 100% compatible with the Digital CPT8000.
6. Can BMW clients get on-rate calling plans with the new Digital CPT8000 phone system?
Yes. All four carriers (Verizon, AT&T, Sprint PCS, Cingular) offer . one rate. and . all in one. type calling plans on either a regional or national basis. Please consult each carrier for specific and up-to-date information on rate plans.
7. Is it possible to retrofit this new Digital CPT8000 into older model year BMW vehicles?
The Digital CPT 8000 will be available for the 5 Series and 7 Series vehicles produced after January 2000; 3 Series vehicles produced after June 2000; and X5 vehicles produced after September 2000.
8. Will the current sales incentive plan (SIP) include this new Digital CPT 8000?
Yes,this phone system will carry the $50 incentive for each CPT 8000 sold.
9.Will sales support materials be available?
Yes,phones sales support materials will be available at product launch. The Visionwerke network will be airing training and informational sessions on the new Digital CPT 8000 phone system.Be sure to sign up for the classes as soon as possible.
Additionally,each center will be provided with carrier-specific brochures to assist in the discussion of the phone system with clients.
10. What is the difference between CDMA & TDMA?
The Digital CPT 8000 supports two key digital technologies known as CDMA and TDMA.These technologies differ in how they manage multiple users (phone calls) on a single voice channel.Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)assigns each user a unique transmission code (bits and bytes)and Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA)divides a conversation into time slots. The technology available in your area is determined by the carrier.Each platform provides premium digital voice communications.
11. Are phones features different with CDMA and TDMA?
Yes. CDMA offers your customers the ability to access the World Wide Web through a mini-browser built into the phone.The CDMA handset has an organic EL display. Up to 396 numbers,in 99 different locations, can be programmed into your phone. With CDMA, your clients can . sync . with MS Outlook and use the phone as a wireless modem. As a result of these features, the CDMA and TDMA handsets have slightly different hardware and software.
12. Is CDMA and TDMA technology compatible with GSM?
Handsets (phones) for GSM systems are not capable of analog operation. A vehicle leaving GSM coverage would not be able to make, receive or continue calls. TDMA and CDMA technologies offer backup analog operation and therefore have substantially increased coverage over GSM networks.
I wouldn't rule out the possibility that the CPT 8000 will only be available for cars built 1/2000 or later. The same claim could technically be made for the CPT 7000 as well -- here's why:
I recently installed a CPT 7000 phone (using BMW's installation kit) in my wife's 98 model 540i/6 -- it requires a special "jumper kit" to upgrade the wiring harness to work with the CPT 7000 (84-11-0-009-112, cost $14.75).
The reason for this is that the 98 model 540i was originally wired to work with only an analog (AMPS), not digital (CDMA or TDMA), phone. The jumper kit makes it support a digital phone. (This is US-only, I can't speak for the GSM phones used by the rest of the world.)
I wouldn't be surprised if the CPT 7000 and 8000 phones from Motorola have the same pin-out. If so, the same jumper kit may permit CPT 8000 phones to work with early (pre-2000 build) M5s or other E39 cars. I'm waiting to get a CPT 8000 for my 2001 M5, and it would be nice if my wife and I could use either phone in either car.
The brochure says it works in 5 Series built after 12/2000 which would exclude almost all of our cars. I hope the bulletin posted by Arie updates and supercedes that. Is that an official BMW FAQ bulletin? Fingers are crossed. Thanks Arie
The brochure says it works in 5 Series built after 12/2000 which would exclude almost all of our cars. I hope the bulletin posted by Arie updates and supercedes that. Is that an official BMW FAQ bulletin? Fingers are crossed. Thanks Arie
Paul,
this FAQ came from a website by Motorola. The site is www.bmwwireless.com and is protected with a password. Someone on the bimmer.org board had a password and shared the content with us. The site covers both the 8000 and the 7000, and is designed to help BMW reps.
My dealer says that the 8000 will work with all car built after Jan 2000. I guess will have to wait and see..
A
BTW, the site also has the manual (PDF) for the in vehicle operation (i.e. steering wheel, display etc.)
Introducing the BMW Digital CPT8000 phone system by Motorola
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