Ford began testing live operator assistance this spring, and Tuesday it officially switched on the feature for users, without the need for a software update.
Ford Sync owners now get up to 60 free sessions with a live operator.
The operator assist feature works with business searches and directions. So it is not the full live emergency service offered by OnStar. And you reach the operator through your phone’s connection to the Sync radio.
Sync already offers 3 free years of a cloud-based service with voice access to automated traffic, weather, news sports and other information. At any time, when connecting to these automated services, the user can now say “operator.” Also, if the automated search fails, the user will be offered a live operator.
In its test trial, Ford found that drivers “really like having the option of talking to a live person,” said Sync product manager David Gersabeck.
“The feedback was very positive,” he said. “Our operators were told by customers that they were very happy and surprised to have an option for additional help, especially when they realized it was a free service. They expected Ford to charge for these services like our competitors do.”
Operator assistance is part of the cloud service package so if you’ve already had that package for a few years, and you are nearing the end of the 3 year trial period, then you get fewer free live operator calls.
With less than a year remaining you only get 20 sessions, with 1- 2 years remaining you get 40 sessions. After the full 3-year free period, you must pay $60/year to subscribe and that gets you 20 free operator sessions per year.
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Separately, Tuesday OnStar announced a rebate on its retail FMV mirror that brings OnStar services to cars other than GM models.
Source: Ford
