beacons

The DGT sold us a “reasonable period without sanctions” for the V-16 beacons. The fines are already coming

by

Unwritten agreements have a problem: nothing is written. It seems silly but it is more than obvious. When there is talk of a “reasonable period” or “being flexible” but nothing is signed, the truth is that there are reasons to be suspicious. Because nothing and no one prevents breaking that supposed agreement with which all parties agree. Or if not, tell those who have been fined for not having the V-16 beacons. They are already fining. This is what they assure from Pyramid Consulting. This consultancy, specialized in appealing traffic fines, already indicates that its offices have received a penalty because a driver did not have the V-16 light to signal a dangerous situation. The penalty is 80 euros, as we already had in Xatakaand it reads that the reason for the sanction is “not having the corresponding V-16 regulatory sign installed on the vehicle.” The penalty was imposed on January 6, Three Kings’ Day, and the gift will be a financial penalty of 40 euros if the driver accepts prompt payment. “A reasonable period”. Penalizing a driver on January 6, 2026 for not having a V-16 beacon raises blisters among drivers. And Fernando Grande-Marlaska, Minister of the Interior, and Pere Navarro, director of the DGT, were faced with a pool full of contradictions and decided to jump into it headlong. In December 2025, faced with the prospect that drivers were not going to have the V-16 beacon on time, the DGT already announced that there would be no extensions in the application of the measure because, in their words, there would be no point in delaying it to the summer of 2026 since the situation would be exactly the same. Of course, they indicated that they had considered delaying it. However, that same month of December, the director of the DGT himself indicated that agents “will be flexible” so fines were not expected, at least, in the first days. They talked about “consolidating this issue” without having to deal with a barrage of fines. On January 8, Grande-Marlaska defended that the beacon was not tax collection, that “information would take precedence over the sanction” and that fines would not be imposed. a “reasonable” period of time. By then, Pyramid Consulting’s client had already been sanctioned. They think they are right. From the consultancy they assure that they are going to appeal the fine. The reasons they allege are that articles 9 and 103 of the Spanish Constitution specify that the Administration must guarantee the legal security of citizens. And they point out that the Administration’s actions must comply with and be: Foreseeable Transparent Consistent Adjusted to good faith They assure that Grande-Marlaska’s statements, in which it was suggested that the agents would not sanction “in a reasonable period of time,” invalidates the sanction and generates legal uncertainty for the citizen since a safeguard message is sent that in the end has not been fulfilled. The contradictions. The problem here is that those responsible for the Ministry of the Interior and the DGT sent messages that contradicted what is stated in the law. Both assured that there would be no fine for not having the beacon and not using it but, at the same time, they neither offered a specific time period nor was any type of order approved in which this was reflected. This left it up to the agents how to act. And if they considered that a car was not correctly signaling its position, there were sufficient reasons to sanction it, according to the approved regulations. And although the DGT’s public message was in the direction of not fining, the agents themselves have recognized that they have no order to act in this way. Photo | DGT and Pyramid Consulting In Xataka | The V-16 beacon has many problems: the manufacturer turning off its servers and leaving you offline is not one of them

The DGT is not going to fine for the V-16 beacons at the moment, and therein lies the key

by

Since last January 1, anyone who is stranded on the road due to a breakdown has to place the V-16 beacon connected. And what happens if I don’t have it? Absolutely nothing. At least that is what the Government assures. Because, with the law in hand, the agents can fine us if they consider it appropriate. We also don’t know how long this “truce” will last. “It is not tax collection”. This is what Fernando Grande-Marlaska stated in the press conference in which he gave the results of the road accidents relating to 2025. The DGT has made public the accident data for last year but a good part of the press conference has revolved around the topic of the moment: the connected V-16 beacon that the DGT has been required to carry since last January 1. The agents, Grande-Marlaska assures, will not fine for a “reasonable” period of time, in words reported by The World. They do it because, they say, “our objective is not sanctioning or collecting, what moves us is the obligation to save lives.” “Reasonable”. It is the temporary measure that the Minister of the Interior has used to refer to the time that the agents have before fining. The word says nothing because, really, from January 1, 2026, Traffic can fine us for not having the corresponding signage elements. The fine is 80 euros and it does not take into account whether we carry the triangles with us because the only essential element in the car when signaling an accident is the connected V16 beacon, which must be approved by the DGT. And the triangles have been left in a kind of limbo so that the driver can do with them whatever he considers. Not now. The position of the DGT has changed over time. Since it was confirmed that the V-16 beacon would be the only signaling element of a road breakdown, the discourse has changed and its position has been relaxed. At first it was argued that the use of triangles could be grounds for a fine since an incident was not being correctly signalled. Now, Interior says that there will be a period in which fines will not be imposed for this. Later it was left up in the air whether the beacon+triangle combination was valid. Finally, it will be allowed put the triangles “at your own risk”. many doubts. In his speech, Grande-Marlaska pointed out that last year more than 100 people died on the road, “a significant number for getting off to put up the triangles”, in words reported by Motorpassion. In The World They point out that estimates point to 25 pedestrians dying while trying to put the triangles in what Grande-Marlaska describes as “bleeding.” However, as we have said in Xatakathe DGT has never offered clarifying data. Traffic has always classified these victims as people run over “after getting out of the vehicle” but without clarifying under what circumstances. They do not indicate whether they were hit when getting out of the car, putting the triangles on, changing a tire on the shoulder or waiting for help to arrive. According to their accounts, between 2018 and 2022 (a period that includes before and during the COVID-19 pandemic), an annual average of between 18 and 26 people died in accidents “after getting off the vehicle” on high-capacity roads. as reflected in the document itself which explains why the regulations and technical requirements of this connected V-16 beacon are changed. Taking the total number of deaths in this entire series (8,615 people, according to data from Statista), we are talking about just over 1% of deaths that fall into the category “after getting out of the vehicle.” No fines but no extensions. The result in the application of the measure has been paradoxical. From the Interior they say that the measure is “essential” to reduce the number of road accidents but omitting its use or not having the beacon will not be penalized despite there being no extension. And, at the same time, Traffic defends that it has not implemented an extension because it is something that has been known since 2023 and that we should have already purchased the device. According to Pere Navarrodirector of the DGT, “we considered delaying it” but that “would not have changed anything.” Also left to the driver’s discretion whether or not they want to put the triangles in despite the fact that they consider it a sufficient risk to promote a regulatory change. And they recognize that something has been done wrong with the communication of the new measure. Photo | DGT and Help Flash In Xataka | The V-16 beacon business: who is making money with the elimination of the DGT triangles

The DGT does not have an “ITV for V-16 beacons”, but the fact that many people believe that it does reveals how confusing everything is being.

by

You will have read that the DGT has launched an MOT for the V-16 beacons. Well, there is no MOT for V-16 beacons. The DGT has not launched a new procedure. There are also no V-16 beacons that were approved and are no longer so. And although it is very likely that you have read the opposite, you can rest assured if you have purchased one of the beacons that the DGT has now supposedly suspended. Having said all this, it is normal that you are confused and that is why we are going to explain what happened. There is no MOT for beacons and you don’t have to do anything If you have read that the DGT has launched an ITV for beacons, we confirm that you have fallen into a clickbait. And to explain certain terms it is common to use a concept well known to everyone (in this case the ITV) to point out that the V-16 beacons will pass a exam every two years (as happens with cars). It is the same that occurs with the calls “continuous line radars”. They simply do not exist, it is a system that uses other technology but to popularize them among readers they talk about “radars” when in reality they work in another way. In this case something similar happens, with the aggravating factor that it is not entirely true that the V-16 beacons are passing an exam every two years. The latter is nothing more than the renewal of a license to be able to put approved V-16 beacons on the market. My partner Yúbal Fernández gives the answers to all the questions that may arise in this article. To understand the origin of the mess you have to go to the DGT website. There, where all the approved models are listed, another list appeared a few days ago called Brands and models with certificates with expired validity. It includes four models of beacons (three of them from the company Ledel Solutions and the other from the company Ditraimon). They are, in the literal words of the DGT, “brands and models with certificates of completed validity that covered their manufacture, being valid for use by drivers who have acquired them until the end of their useful life.” To clarify all doubts we have contacted the DGT who has explained to us that this is an administrative procedure and not a purely technical one. They have clarified to us that when you receive a certificate to put a V-16 beacon on the market, it is valid for a period of two years. When this ends, there are three possibilities: The manufacturer resubmits the same beacon to the corresponding laboratory. In that case, it is verified that all requirements are still met and the manufacturer can continue selling said beacon. The manufacturer presents the beacon but with a cut in its characteristics. In that case, if it does not meet the minimum requirements, the beacon cannot be sold and the manufacturer loses the certificate. At that moment he enters the new DGT list. The manufacturer has no intention of continuing to sell the beacon and does not appear for the certificate renewal. In that case, you lose the certificate immediately and cannot continue selling that same beacon. Therefore, the so-called “ITV for beacons” is nothing more than an administrative renewal in which it is confirmed that the manufacturer continues to comply with the requirements required to put the beacon on the market. But it only applies if he takes the said exam. That is to say, in that case it does work like the MOT of a car, which only receives approval if we take the “exam” and pass it. Or the renewal of the driving license, which we will lose after its validity if we do not undergo the relevant tests. What can lead a manufacturer to not renew its certificate? Simply put, a company can forget this procedure if it does not want to continue producing this beacon because it is not achieving the expected profitability or has a product that works better in the market. A good example is the company Ledel Solutions, which has not received the renewal of the certificate for three products. However, it has up to 32 different beacons with the approval of the laboratories. Some of these certifications were issued last November or December 2025. AND if you have bought any of these beacons, there is no problem either. The DGT has insisted that if the beacon is in the commercial area we go to, we can rest assured because it will have met the technical requirements if it has been approved by the DGT. That is why it is important to check before paying if the model in question is on the list of Certified brands and models. In any case, remember: we are talking about a purely bureaucratic process in which the driver is not affected in any way. If you bought a V-16 beacon that is part of the new DGT list, you have nothing to worry about and no need to buy a new one. Your connectivity is guaranteed for at least 12 years and no one is going to fine you for carrying a V-16 beacon if the product has the DGT certificate. Photo | Aeca-ITV and Geobeacon In Xataka | Fines for improper use of the V-16 beacon: when you can be fined for using it off the road and when you can’t

This is the DGT map to visualize where there are active V16 beacons in Spain. There is another more useful unofficial map

by

We are in 2026 and that means goodbye (or not) of the signal triangles in favor of the beacons v16 to signal accidents or breakdowns on the road. Don’t you take it? Well fine of 80 eurosalthough these first days Pere Navarro assured that “they would be flexible“(sic). In addition to avoiding accidents, the great advantage of the V16 beacons is their connectivity: it is true that It’s half-connectedness.but it does allow the DGT to notify the vehicles with signal V-27 and the rest of the drivers through light panels. And an interactive map to accurately geolocate the V16 beacons active in the state. The DGT traffic map also shows the beacons. Go ahead that the officer It is much more than the map where we can see these luminous devices: we can visualize closed roads, detours, landslides and meteorological events such as low visibility due to fog, accidents or stopped vehicles. Precisely here the beacons would come in, marked in the legend of the map with the danger traffic sign. However, if we tap on the ‘Filters’ area (the button with the three stripes in the upper right corner) you can alleviate the display a little. DGT traffic map As you can see below these lines, when you touch the icon, information appears such as the cause (by default the vehicle appears stopped), which road and direction it is on, the orientation, since when the notification has been operational, the province and the municipality. It is worth remembering that the data is anonymous as long as the DGT only receives the location of the stopped vehicle and not the identity of the occupant or other personal data such as the license plate or policy data. Beyond zooming, selecting areas or screening, this is what the DGT map allows you to create. You just have to activate it. To see your V16 beacon on the map, simply touch the button so that the signal is sent to DGT 3.0 platform: The function is technical and automatic, transmitting data such as the device ID, its GPS coordinates, the exact time of activation and the status, but not the cause (it could be a puncture, a mechanical breakdown, you have run out of fuel, an accident). The person who categorizes the cause of the incident is the roadside assistance operator, such as the tow truck, with the signal V-24 and the obligation to inform the DGT when they arrive at a service and what type of incident they are attending to. A reminder: you can fine up to 30,000 euros for a false positive, that is, activating the beacon as a test and leaving it activated for more than 100 seconds. The unofficial map of the beacons If you just want to see the beacons, there is another map. The data collected by the DGT 3.0 platform is public through the DGT 3.0 API. So the cybersecurity engineer Hector Julián Alijas has created a specific map for the beacons with some extra advantages from public data and official sources, such as explains in their FAQ. This beaconmapv16 displays all devices that are currently or recently active, regardless of beacon manufacturer and operator. The map shows active beacons in yellow and those that have recently been operational in dark, updating periodically to report changes in the status of the beacons and the activation of new units (you can check the latest update in a message located in the upper area). As with the DGT map, you can tap on the beacon icon to see information related to that device. The information provided by this alternative map is exactly the same, but it has an extra that can be useful if you want to go there: the possibility of sharing it with a GPS navigator such as Waze, Google Maps or Apple Maps. I want to see the beacons on Google Maps and Waze. GPS navigators do not offer the option of viewing activated beacons on the road per sebut they do warn of incidents on the road such as stopped cars or accidents. The DGT 3.0 platform itself explains that: “It facilitates the interconnection of all the actors that are part of the mobility ecosystem. Vehicle manufacturers, navigation service providers, mobility applications, city councils, public transport platforms, fleet management systems, etc.” Furthermore, both Google (behind Maps and Waze) and Apple uses information from the authoritiesso technically they can do it. And it has a great advantage: ruling out false incidents, which may be reported by mistake or intentionally, and which can later be verified through the platform. In Xataka | From today, connected V-16 beacons are mandatory in Spain: what should be clear between controversies and doubts about the rule In Xataka | The DGT’s great plan does not end with the V16 beacons: it wants to connect all traffic as they already do in China Cover | DGT and V16 Beacons Map Hector Julián Alijas

Two V16 beacons with more than 100 candles to have better visibility if we have an emergency with the car

by

Now that the V16 beacons are going to replace the triangles, we should pay attention to some of their characteristics to have better visibility in case of an emergency —continuing carrying the triangles in the car is also recommended. Therefore, in this article we are going to review two of the V16 beacons with the most candles that are available right now in stores like Amazon or PcComponentes. Help Flash IoT+ One of the V16 beacons with the most candles is the Help Flash IoT+from Netun Solutions, which is also manufactured in Spain. Do not confuse it with Help Flash IoTwhich usually has a similar price, but has worse specifications, especially in the candles. The Help Flash IoT+ offers, according to the brand itself, more than 290 candlesa fairly high figure considering that the mandatory minimum is between 40 and 80 candles. This beacon can also be connected to myIncidencean app with which we can notify emergency services and insurance. The price could vary. We earn commission from these links LEDOne Maybe the LEDOne It may not have the best number in candles, but it does have the most differential format: incorporates a support to raise the beaconsomething that may be interesting in certain vehicles. However, we are still talking about a V16 beacon that far exceeds 100 candles. In this sense, the LEDOne offers, according to the brand itself, 120 effective candles. It does not reach the same figure as that of Netun Solutions, but it is still a fairly high figure. In addition, it is also manufactured in Spain and allows you to connect to your own app to call emergency services and insurance. The price could vary. We earn commission from these links You may also be interested OTTOCAST Mini Pot 2026, 2 in 1 wireless adapter for CarPlay and Android Auto, Compatible iOS 10+/Android 11+ and Cars with Carplay Since 2016, Plug & Play, USB-A/Type C, OTA Update, Black The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Xiaomi Portable Electric Air Compressor 2 – Portable air compressor (0.2 10.3 bar/3-150 psi, 6 modes, 2000mAh battery, 14.4Wh, USB-C charging, LED display), black (ES Version) The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Some of the links in this article are affiliated and may provide a benefit to Xataka. In case of non-availability, offers may vary. Image | Netun Solutions, LEDOne In Xataka | Safety, organization and entertainment gadgets and accessories for cars on long trips In Xataka | Clarifying all the mess that the DGT has on its hands: the V-16 light, the V-27 signal and the emergency triangles

If you thought that getting the DGT V-16 beacon right couldn’t be more complicated, the beacons with an expiration date have arrived.

by

Buying an approved and fully valid connected V-16 beacon is relatively simple. Or, at least, it should be. Because to the list of products and companies that market a completely valid product are added the beacons that can continue to be sold… but that will no longer be able to be sold. Yes, the DGT has opened a new list… and now everything is more confusing. The approved V-16 beacons. So that a V-16 beacon is valid by the DGT and is completely approved, the product must meet a series of requirements. Among the most important are the following: Connectivity with DGT 3.0 for at least 12 years Radiate light 360 degrees Maintain irradiation intensity for at least 30 minutes Protection degree IP54 at least Guaranteed operation between -10ºC and 50ºC How do I check it? It must be taken into account that non-approved beacons are being sold on the market despite being completely legal… more or less. And when the arrival of the beacons was approved in 2021, we didn’t know anything about the DGT 3.0 platform. In 2023 it was confirmed that its connectivity with the platform would be mandatory but, by then, beacons without connectivity had already been sold. Right now, they are still on the market selling. These beacons are not valid. We can use them but the DGT will force us to have one approved. From FACUA they point out that there are beacons that are being sold with the DGT badge but that are not approved because they do not have connectivity. Despite everything, they are still on the market. In this situation, the only thing we can do is check if the purchased product is in this list offered by the DGT. It includes each and every one of the products that can be purchased that meets the minimum requirements. The new list of the DGT. Click on the image to go to the official website. Brands and models with certificates with expired validity. Everything seemed, therefore, hands or less clear when it came to purchasing a connected V-16 beacon of those that will be mandatory from January 1, 2026. Until the DGT has added a new list with the name indicated at the beginning of this paragraph: Brands and models with certificates with expired validity. In the description of the DGT to explain what these models are, why they are on this list and what it means, Traffic points out the following: This table shows the brands and models with expired certificates that covered their manufacture and are valid for use by drivers who have purchased them until the end of their useful life. At the time of writing these lines there are three products from the Ledel Solutions CO brand. LTD and another from Ditraimon SL All of them have an end of validity date of 2025. What does this mean? To try to clarify the matter, we have contacted the DGT who have told us the following: “They are beacons that met the requirements in the first approval, but when they went to renew the certificate and had to pass the tests again, they did not meet the required quality criteria” That is, we are talking about companies that have put a valid product on the market. That product, over time, has to pass quality tests again to certify that it continues to meet the minimum required criteria. It was in this second test that they failed and, therefore, lost the certificate that allows them to sell connected V-16 beacons unless they again present a pilot product that guarantees its validity. What if I have one of these beacons? The DGT has confirmed to us that there is no problem. From Traffic they point out that if we have bought or, right now, we buy any of these connected V-16 beacons that are on the market There is no problem because the production runs that have been made until the certificates were withdrawn are completely valid. In theory, we have a guaranteed 12 years of connected V-16 beacon from the moment of purchase, as required by the technical requirements to approve this product. More confusion and more questions. Of course, what is certain is that this new DGT list adds even more confusion to the consumer. And based on the description and the responses from Traffic, it is understandable that a customer may doubt whether their connected V-16 beacon is now valid or not. According to the DGT, we repeat, yes it is. Other questions also arise. If the companies and products that appear in this list as of December 26, 2025 were lost between the months of April and September, why has it not been published until now that they have lost the certificate? In theory and with the answers that Traffic has given us, the companies Ledel Solutions and Ditraimon have not been able to put on the market a new productive run of connected V-16 beacons once the date on which the certificate renewal has been denied has passed, but there is no problem in purchasing one of these products after this date if they were already on the market. Theoretically, they are guaranteed to operate for the required minimum 12 years. Photo | Netun Solutions and DGT In Xataka | Counterfeit V16 beacons: what you should look for to differentiate them from the approved ones

V16 beacons with associated application. Five models to comply with DGT regulations as of January 1

by

There is nothing left for us to have to carry a mandatory one in the car. V16 beacon. Which one to buy? There are many models, so in this article we are going to focus on five V16 beacons that come with their own smartphone application. Help Flash IoTan affordable beacon compatible with myIncidence. Help Flash IoT+a beacon with a good number of candles that is also compatible with myIncidence. LEDOnea V16 beacon that stands out for its format and is compatible with its own app. LEDOne for trucksincludes the beacon and an arrow for commercial vehicles. FlashLEDcomes with an anti-shock case and is compatible with its own app. Help Flash IoT The first V16 beacon that we have introduced in this list is from Netun Solutions: the Help Flash IoT. It has a similar design to the Help Flash IoT+, but has different characteristics: it offers visibility up to 1 km, its autonomy is approximately two hours and it offers more than 40 effective candles. Plus, it connects to the app myIncidence to be able to quickly contact the insurance company and emergency services. The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Help Flash IoT+ Secondly, we have introduced the most complete version of the previous V16 beacon: the Help Flash IoT+. It has a more interesting technical sheet and its price is usually similar: it offers approximately 290 candlesits autonomy is up to 2.5 hours and it also connects to the myIncidence app. The price could vary. We earn commission from these links LEDOne The LEDOne It is a particularly interesting beacon due to its format, since it incorporates a support so that it can be placed a little higher, thus improving visibility. Offers 120 effective candlesits autonomy is approximately two hours, the brand mentions that it is suitable for all vehicles and can be connected to the LEDOne app to notify insurance and emergency services. The price could vary. We earn commission from these links LEDOne for trucks An alternative to the previous V16 beacon—or rather a more complete option—we have it at Leroy Merlin. The LEDOne is available in a truck pack which, in this case, includes both the beacon that we have mentioned before and a signaling for industrial vehiclesthus improving visibility. In addition, since it is the same beacon, it is compatible with the LEDOne app. The price could vary. We earn commission from these links FlashLED Finally, PcComponentes has the V16 beacon FlashLEDwhich in this case comes along with a anti-shock hard case. It works using a single battery and is compatible with its own app SOS alert. Of course, the brand does not mention either the theoretical autonomy or the figure in candles. The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Some of the links in this article are affiliated and may provide a benefit to Xataka. In case of non-availability, offers may vary. Image | Netun Solutions, LEDOne, FlashLED In Xataka | Safety, organization and entertainment gadgets and accessories for cars on long trips In Xataka | Clarifying all the mess that the DGT has on its hands: the V-16 light, the V-27 signal and the emergency triangles

GAME joins the sale of V16 beacons with geolocation that will be mandatory from January 1, 2026

by

During these last months many stores have added to their catalogs connected V16 beacons with geolocation to the DGT, which we remember will be mandatory to carry in the car from January 1, 2026. We have seen them in stores such as aldi either Lidlalso in consumption either Mail and even also in GAME, the video game store. A V16 beacon in GAME GAME right now has available the Ebox V16IoT EB-2503a beacon with geolocation that complies with DGT regulations that will begin to be applied at the beginning of 2026. It is waterproof, has a theoretical autonomy of up to six hours and includes a magnetic base. Its price in this case is 39.99 eurosalthough at PcComponentes it is cheaper: for 32.99 euros. The price could vary. We earn commission from these links If you are looking for an alternative There are many V16 beacons that we can find in stores. One of the ones that has been gaining the most popularity is Help Flash IoT+a beacon that, despite having a recommended price of 54.95 euros, we have been finding it much cheaper for some time. Right now on Amazon it costs 39.15 euros. Why has it become popular? The price could vary. We earn commission from these links First of all, it is worth mentioning that the Help Flash IoT+ is a V16 beacon manufactured in Spain. It is from Netun Solutionsa company from Vigo, but it is manufactured in Kepar Electronicsmanufacturer from Zaragoza. In addition, it improves on certain features compared to Help Flash IoT and they tend to have similar prices. One of the characteristics where V16 beacons are most often differentiated is in the number in candles. The Help Flash IoT+ offers, according to the brand itself, more than 290 candlesa fairly high figure that we do not usually find in other models (either they are smaller figures or their candles are not even mentioned in the descriptions or technical sheets). It is also interesting that the Netun Solutions V16 beacon allows you to connect to an external app, which in this case is myIncidence. In practice, the application allows you to quickly contact insurance and emergency services from your mobile phone. Another V16 beacon that may interest you The LEDOne It is another beacon that may be interesting for several reasons: it is also made in Spain, according to the brand it offers. 120 effective candles and also connects to its own app to contact insurance and emergency services. It includes a support so that the beacon can stay in a slightly higher position. Its price at PcComponentes is 41.99 euros. Although it is true that on Amazon it is about 29.99 eurosthe store usually has irregular stock, so the price may vary frequently. The price could vary. We earn commission from these links You may also be interested Xiaomi Portable Electric Air Compressor 2 – Portable air compressor (0.2 10.3 bar/3-150 psi, 6 modes, 2000mAh battery, 14.4Wh, USB-C charging, LED display), black (ES Version) The price could vary. We earn commission from these links OTTOCAST (New Model 2026) 2 in 1 Wireless CarPlay & Android Auto Adapter, Mini Slim for iOS 10+ & Android 11+, Multi-User Support, Plug & Play, Quick Connection The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Some of the links in this article are affiliated and may provide a benefit to Xataka. In case of non-availability, offers may vary. Image | La Cañada Shopping and GAME (header), Ebox, Netun Solutions, LEDOne In Xataka | Safety, organization and entertainment gadgets and accessories for cars on long trips In Xataka | Clarifying all the mess that the DGT has on its hands: the V-16 light, the V-27 signal and the emergency triangles

V-16 beacons run the risk of being left without connectivity if their manufacturer goes bankrupt. Don’t worry, there is a solution

by

You may have read it on social networks: you buy a connected V-16 beacon, you go years without using it and, before you know it, the company that sold it to you has gone bankrupt, has stopped paying for its servers and now you have a nice paperweight because, without connectivity with DGT 3.0, that beacon has become illegal. It’s true? No. Plain and simple. When we buy a connected V-16 beacon, the manufacturer assures us that the connectivity is guaranteed for at least 12 years. The manufacturer may offer more connectivity time, as an incentive to purchase, but it cannot offer less. This, like the luminosity of the beacon or the 30 minutes that it must be in operation for at least, is one of the demands that Traffic has set to manufacturers so they can sell their beacons and we let’s buy them with enough peace of mind to be following the rules. Sure, but… what if the company goes bankrupt? It is one of the questions that some users have asked and that has been answered by accounts on social networks like Twitter. It is stated that when a connected V-16 beacon is activated and the required 100 seconds pass, the following process is launched: Protocol A: the beacon sends the data exclusively to the manufacturer’s servers Protocol B: Data leaves the manufacturer’s servers and is forwarded to the National Access Point for Traffic and Mobility Information which is where all activations and any other type of emergency are reflected. The response points out that, in the event that the manufacturer stops selling the connected V-16 beacon, the connection would be broken and therefore we would be left with a luminous paperweight because without connectivity that light is not legal. Insured. To confirm these details, we have contacted some of the companies that manufacture or sell these types of beacons. César Basterrechea explains to us from Atressa Automotivewho have their own beacons, that the information is not true and clarifies what would happen if their company went bankrupt and stopped paying for the beacons. First, he points out, the manufacturer has to register in DGT 3.0 and request a connectivity license. When this requirement is met, the following happens: “My operator sends me the data generated by one of my beacons through an APN and which is protected within a private VPN, the information reaching my Cloud once received, we send it through a VPN with a digital certificate to the DGT 3.0. If my company closed tomorrow, my operator would redirect the data emitted from my beacons to another APN of its own and through its own VPN it would send the data to the DGT cloud” With these words he explains, therefore, that it is the operator that offers its support if the company stops paying for the servers and, therefore, cannot offer the service. They confirm it to us. Asked to the other party, the answer is the same. In Xataka We have contacted Orange, an operator that offers connectivity in different connected V-16 beacons on the market. The company confirms the above, although it points out that, exactly, it is not that the operator keeps the servers of the bankrupt company, it only guarantees that the signal reaches DGT 3.0. “The communication architecture has been defined so that there are two ways to send the data to DGT 3.0: through the manufacturer’s cloud services (which must always be used if there are no incidents) or directly from the operator if the manufacturer’s cloud service is not operational (manufacturer bankruptcy or massive drop in its cloud service)” It’s not easy. The truth is that although we have confirmation from this beacon manufacturer And getting there is not easy. In the Resolution of November 30, 2021 which details the requirements that a V-16 beacon must have connected to be valid, it specifies that the manufacturer must have support to offer the service if it cannot be performed, but nowhere does it specify whether this company should be the operator, as Atressa Automotive tells us. This text explains the above-mentioned details of protocols A and B. Subsequently, the following is stated: The implementation of a device with these characteristics requires having a standard channel and a common language. Additionally, defining this standard also makes it easier for a third party to perform these functions if necessary due to the existence of a problem in the information systems of a manufacturer. The data model that the messages that V-16 devices send to their manufacturers’ information services must comply with is defined below. a hoax. Although with the connected V-16 beacons we have had a lot of controversy and we know that there are even those who has demonstrated cybersecurity risksThe truth is that this time we are facing a hoax. The DGT has actively repeated that when we buy a connected V-16 beacon we are guaranteed access to DGT 3.0 for 12 years. And although the protocol does not clearly detail whether a specific company must take charge (operators, other manufacturers…), it does specify that it must guarantee backup to keep the service active. Photo | DGT In Xataka | V16 beacon without eSIM or connectivity: what the DGT says about them from 2026

The meteorological winter has already begun for the AEMET. And now we have another problem with the DGT beacons

by

The State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) has not waited for the solstice to start winter. A season that, meteorologically speaking, extends from December 1 to February 28. Three months of cold await us (although less and less)rain, snow and various inclemencies. This year, it is inevitable to ask ourselves if the cold may affect the V16 beacons of the DGT. The answer is a resounding yes. Resistance up to -10ºC. All approved V16 beacons must have with a series of requirements. And one of them talks precisely about resistance. There are two things to keep in mind here: the IP rating and what temperature range they can operate in. New connected beacons must have at least IP54 certification. That is, resistance to dust and splashes of water. But they must also offer adequate operation within a wide range of temperatures. Specifically, between -10ºC and 50ºC. It is enough even If we leave the car in full sun in summerbut in winter it gets a little more complicated. BUT. Theoretically, Spain is not a very cold country. But although it is not at the level of the Nordic countries, in certain places or times the thermometer can fall below -10ºC. If we are going skiing, if we are driving on a mountain road on a particularly cold day or if we are considering a getaway to one of the “refrigerators from Spain”things get complicated. For example, Molina de Aragón (Guadalajara) is considered the coldest town in Spain and has the milestone of having reached -28.2 degrees. In these types of places and situations, the resistance to -10ºC of the beacons is insufficient, so their connectivity may stop working, thus losing virtual visibility, or even fail to turn on. Another problem: snow. Beyond the problems caused by extreme temperatures, there is another phenomenon that in the winter season can interfere with the beacons. Much has been said about the visibility problems of these devices in broad daylight, in fog or on very tight curves, but snow can also become another obstacle. Beacons should be placed on the highest part of the vehicle where possible, usually the roof. If the snow settles, it can cover it and thus kill the physical visibility it provides us. The alternative. The V16 beacons aim to improve safety on the roads, warning other drivers of the obstacle posed by a car stopped on them. In the event that the beacon does not work due to problems with temperatures or snow, the option left is to contact the emergency services via mobile phone. The V16 beacons, which will be mandatory from January 1, 2026, are not without controversy. From the scams around them until accusations from groups of the Civil Guardthe DGT He had to admit his mistakes and has already explained that will be flexible with fines. Cover image | Generated with Gemini In Xataka | FACUA believes that a lot of V16 beacons “approved by the DGT” are not legal. And there’s a way to sum it up: fraud. In Xataka | Living 1,300 kilometers from the North Pole: a Catalan tells of his experience in the northernmost city in the world

Log In

Forgot password?

Forgot password?

Enter your account data and we will send you a link to reset your password.

Your password reset link appears to be invalid or expired.

Log in

Privacy Policy

Add to Collection

No Collections

Here you'll find all collections you've created before.