The Harman Spark is a "Connected Car" device from AT&T that plugs into a vehicle's OBD-II diagnostic port, automatically creating a Wi-Fi hotspot for up to 8 devices when the ignition is turned on.
The Spark enables telematics for emergency assistance, fleet management, theft, tracking and more. This devices plug into the onboard diagnostic ports (OBD-II) of 1996 and newer model year vehicles that don't have built-in systems like OnStar.
Rate plans for the device start at $10 per month for plans without Wi-Fi, are $25/month for 5GB, and $40/month for 10GB. While a $30/month unlimited data plan was available, as of June 2020, we no longer note it on the Spark website.
Plans including internet access are offered as both standalone or as an addition to eligible Unlimited and Mobile Share plans.
For shared data plans, currently, AT&T offers Mobile Share Flex data plans for aftermarket OBD-II devices. There is a $10 access fee per connected car device, in addition to the price of the plan.
Unlike AT&T's previous connected car device iteration, the Mobley, the Spark has specific terms of service and technical restrictions that limit use to a vehicle only - and AT&T reserves the right to terminate accounts for use outside of a vehicle. The Spark's Wi-Fi also shuts down after 30 minutes of not being in motion.
Specifications
- Model #: Harman HSA-15UA-AA
- # of Connected Devices: 8 via Wi-Fi
- Control Panel and Default Password:
- USB Tethering Support: None
- Supported Networks and Bands:
LTE Bands: 2, 4, 5, 12, 17 - LTE-Advanced Carrier Aggregation: No
- MIMO Support: Unknown
- LTE Performance Category: Unknown
(Max Theoretical Speed: __Mbps Down / __Mbps Up) - Cellular Antenna Ports: None
- Other Ports: OBD-II
- Wi-Fi Technology / Frequencies: 802.11 b/g/n - 2.4GHz only
- Claimed Battery Life: N/A - does not have a battery
- Can Be Powered Without a Battery: N/A
- Dimensions: 2.95" x 2.06" x 1.13" / 3oz
- SIM Card Type: 3FF / Micro
- Retail Price: $79.99
Review & Testing Status
We have purchased a Spark on our AT&T Unlimited Plus account as an additional line, and tested it out.
Further Reading
Potential Alternatives to Consider:
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