If this affects you, chances are that you've already received a letter in the mail from General Motors and OnStar informing you that the analog network supporting older GM models with the OnStar service will be turned off on January 1st, 2008. The reason is because the Federal Communications Commission ruled in 2002 that cellular companies could stop supporting their analog networks in favor of digital ones, and OnStar was originally set up on an analog network owned by Verizon Wireless in 1996. GM began selling vehicles with dual-mode (analog/digital) hardware in 2004 after all appeals to the FCC to overturn its ruling had failed. All GM cars and trucks are now likely sold with digital-only equipment. Some GM vehicles produced between 2002 and 2004 may have been equipped with analog hardware that is digital ready, meaning it can be upgraded to accept a digital signal. To find out if your vehicle is digital-ready, click here and have your VIN ready. If you do have equipment that can be upgraded, GM will do it for you, including parts and labor, for only $15 if you agree to a $199 1-year subscription to OnStar.
Nevertheless, it's a bum-deal for those GM customers with older OnStar models that can't be upgraded, as their service will ride off into the sunset on New Year's Eve thanks to the FCC.
[Source: Straightline, GM]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Hank @ Dec 27th 2007 11:12AM
oh well, you know analog service of any kind isn't gonna last forever *shrug*
Playdrv4me @ Dec 27th 2007 11:33AM
GM and OnStar get alot of the heat for this, but it also affected Mercedes' Tele-Aid and Lexus' Lexus-Link service as well.
For customers who don't want to be bombarded with the "LESUX LINK DEACTIVATED!" voice every time they start their car, Lexus will remove the old analong hardware at no-charge.
Benfolio @ Dec 27th 2007 1:27PM
Heh, "LeSUX" :)
Billy @ Dec 28th 2007 12:26AM
Audi also used Onstar, under the onstar name.
Kinda a bummer because my car now has 3 useless buttons up on the ceiling.
Level @ Dec 27th 2007 12:39PM
wait intill all tv becomes Digital after 2009 thats another FCC wonder....
Hank @ Dec 27th 2007 3:42PM
That switchover I'm actually looking forward to. Now that I have started using OTA digital broadcasts in my house, I am amazed why it took so long for FCC to make the analog cutoff mandate. It is leaps and bounds superior to analog TV broadcasts.
Level @ Dec 28th 2007 1:46PM
it took so long because everything had to be switched over to digital....and the infrastructure is not cheap and it takes time, man power etc...plus switching over perfectly find working analog transmission equipment over to digital is not cheap...
Hank @ Dec 27th 2007 1:32PM
GM's OnStar marketers ought to pair up with TomTom or Magellan and offer a GPS unit with OnStar capability for folks with unequipped (or even non-GM) cars. Obviously, it wouldn't have all the features, but it could have some of the good ones.
Todd @ Dec 27th 2007 1:46PM
I don't like the tone this article is written with. Jeff sounds as though it's the FCC's fault that OnStar will no longer work. In fact it's due to the lack of demand for analog cellular products. The FCC is no longer requiring that outdated technology be used. They never should have required this. Since there isn't a large enough demand for analog cell service to be profitable, the cell carriers should be allowed to stop supporting it.
Spiel @ Dec 27th 2007 2:01PM
OnStar is just a waste. I hated that thing when I bought my SAAB 93 (gone now). I never used it pass the 3 free months but I was left with a huge box in my trunk that meant the difference between being able to stack my 29 inch suitcases and having to fold down the seats.
Edsel @ Dec 27th 2007 2:05PM
BMW stranded owners with their factory installed BMW/Motorola StarTac phones when the FCC declared everyone needed GPS tracking chips in their cell phones.
BMW claimed we'd have to purchase a new phone and install their $1200.00 bluetooth conversion kit but we told them to shove it up their tailpipe. We found someone to fix our phone for $100.00.
HotRodzNKustoms @ Dec 27th 2007 4:48PM
I love OnStar personally. I have a hard time justifying buying a normal car without it and I found out yesterday that I have to do the upgrade on both my 2003 Sierra and Hummer. So down to the dealership for me.
Joe @ Dec 28th 2007 8:04AM
VW was still selling analog-only OnStar in 2004. VW's OnStar is not upgradeable to digital for any amount of money. How about that? A $650 (USD) option that now REDUCES the value of the vehicle just a few years later! I hope someone does a class-action lawsuit against Volkswagen of America. I'll join in, even if I don't make any money off of it.
Mark @ Dec 28th 2007 11:55AM
The press release lies. The analog OnStar service stopped working in San Francisco 10 days ago. Fortunately OnStar refunded my money for December without question.
I am disappointed by the service demise. I've got a 2004 Touareg with it. Tried to avoid buying it because VW had clearly disclosed that it would be useless after three years. However taking OnStar was the only way to get other options I wanted at the end of the model year. Now that I've used it, I like it and would happily pay for a conversion if anyone would sell me one.
I blame GM and OnStar for the debacle more than VW. And the way I've been treated will dissuade me from ever buying a GM vehicle.
jay @ Dec 31st 2007 8:07AM
Not only will I loose my On-Star, On-Star will loose me as a customer. Bet they didn't think of it that way. GM already lost me as a customer when they failed to fix the screwed up steering in my 32,000. Monte Carlo after 6 tries.
rsl @ Dec 31st 2007 9:04AM
I had a GM truck and they could not get the stupid OnStar to even work for me! It was a 2003 model and the worst vehicle I ever owned. I will never buy another GM vehicle of any kind!!! GM is to blame as far as I am concerned!
lampin1 @ Dec 31st 2007 8:38AM
I wouldn't wait to see if anyone else starts a law suit. Look at your contracts, see what it says about upgrading and if nothing is in there like that, then wouldn't it be a breach of contract. An upgrade should be free without any new contracts, because if you think of it, wouldn't it go under defect at which the dealership must fix? So sue the heck out of GM and most of all On Star!!!
Mike @ Dec 31st 2007 9:14AM
Mecedes Benz wanted $1200 to convert my 2004 S Sedan that was made 2 years after the ruling with the old system. Told them goooooood by.
Gennavieve @ Dec 31st 2007 9:44AM
The fault for this lies with GM. They knew about the cutoff for the analog, had way too many units in stock, and decided to let them be installed in Subarus and VW, etc. The ones who bought these cars are the ones who got the non upgradable units. One poster says he was told this by VW but I can assure you I was not told this by my slimy Subaru dealer Belair, Md.
Lynn @ Dec 31st 2007 10:22AM
Another reason why cars cost so much. Use a map.