I called Sirius Canada last week, they keep saying "in the near future".

Even the feed I am getting from the US is not NEARLY as detailed as what I saw in this Youtube video. I'd say maybe 10% of it is what I can get.

I am starting to lose my patience.

 

They can't offer anything until the CRTC makes its decision on the merger of SIRIUS and XM in Canada. The hearing was in early April so you could be waiting a while longer before SIRIUS Canada offers a traffic subscription.

 

....sometimes it's better to be in the U.S. of A...and photo radar detectors are legal.

 

Actually, the situation is worse than previously. I have just purchased a 2011 Q5 with the optional navigation package. Formerly a subscription to Sirius US could be purchased which included the traffic package, as reported in this neighbourhood. Sirius Canada was reported to be making traffic available in April, 2011... I have just spent an hour on the phone discovering that traffic is no longer available from Sirius US (they recognize Canadian ESN/VIN and cannot process traffic), yet Sirius Canada is unable to provide a traffic subscription. This is not an acceptable situation.

How can we exert some pressure on Audi or Sirius Canada?

 

MBronskill:

This is only true on 2011 models, in 2011 Audi MMI now has the same serial number for Data and Audi which Sirius US cannot use for traffic, it's either audio OR traffic not both. Previous models 2010/2009 have a unique serial for data which Sirius US can use for traffic.

I think the only way to exert pressure is by calling them over and over.

 

Thanks for the quick reply, Warcity. Thinking laterally about your suggestion of audio OR traffic, does this mean I could:
1) Buy a traffic subscription only from Sirius US?
2) Buy the traffic subscription from Sirius US AND the audio subscription from Sirius Canada?

The latter would solve things nicely, but I am prepared to go with the former if necessary.

Thanks,

Mike

 

I wish it was that easy.

If you buy traffic from US, your radio serial will tie to traffic in the US. So the Canadian audio signal will not get picked up. The reverse also applies.

So you'll have to chose, if you want traffic you can't have radio. The problem is 2011 models the radio can only handle one signal.

If/when Sirius Canada gets traffic they will be sending both Audio and Traffic via one single signal so the radio can pick them both us. This is what they told me. Question now is "WHEN".

 

I've explored the XM canada route for traffic, but, at least on the surface, the ESN number (Sirius) is not yet recognized by XM canada client number. I suppose one of the solutions is to make sure you have the B&O system so if you're stuck in a traffic jam, at least you can enjoy some tunes.

 

Here is the "official" Sirius Canada email response:

Thank you for writing to us about receiving the Traffic Package with
SIRIUS Canada. Unfortunately, we have no information of if or when this
will become available here in Canada. I do apologize for the
inconvenience.

Sincerely,

SIRIUS Customer Care

P.S. We are committed to providing you with the best in Customer Care.
If you have any more questions, please feel free to contact SIRIUS
Customer Care.

 

It's going to be a LOOOONG wait.