Is it possible to transfer Onstar # to a different carrier?

[s5uewf]

Now that the regulations have changed, and consumers can keep their numbers (and some phones) while switching to new
phone services...I was wondering if anyone knew if it
is possible to transfer the Avalanche Onstar #
to other carriers like TMobile, Cingular, etc?

It would be nice to be able to keep the vehicle phone
service but not have to pay the extra to Onstar,
if I could just add the Av to the Family Plan, etc....

Emery

 

[kodiakz]

I don't believe that is possible. The onstar harware is very specific and, I may be wrong here, but I believe that it is strictly analog. Don't know how you would get the esn either. Sure as I post this, someone will come along with a hack to make it work!!

 

[dunes_av]

a mod has to start somewhere... now we need someone to volunteer to be the first to guinie pig thier Av for this.....

 

[N1NCZ]

While the onstar service and equipment are very specific, I was able to check and see my number was able to be transfered so... if you like your number it looks like you can transfer it to another service, but then your onstar would need a new one.

Rich / N1NCZ

 

[dunes_av]

gotcha... so the number is transferable, but to a different peice of equipment..... such as with cell phones

 

[CraigF]

gotcha... so the number is transferable, but to a different peice of equipment..... such as with cell phones

Exactly. The new FCC policy allows you to take your number with you...but the equipment is still vender/service provider specific.

Craig

 

[sperry]

OnStar contracts with several services anyway, mostly Verizon. It's area dependant and since it's still using AMPS, there's no special digital coding like (TDMA, CDMA or GSM & PCS) -YET.
So hopping to "carriers" may be futile but analog is cross-compatable, just not practical due to those other system differences.
BUT I also have the interest in number transfers replacing the On Star one. Before, they said there was no choice.

Here's some other related jargon...
The later '04 Av's will soon have dual mode systems, the '03's, and likely some '02's (If the voice states "On Star Ready") is supposed to be upgradable. If your On Star just says "Ready", it's "not upgradable". -- If I remember, that was from another GM TechLink, than the following "clipping". (I don't remember the month at this point) but here's that clip from the ? dated TechLink.

"Beginning in the 2004 model year, OnStar will introduce the latest generation of hardware, Gen 6. This is the first OnStar hardware that supports CDMA and PCS digital cellular communication, along with AMPS, analog cellular.

Rollout Schedule
The Pontiac Aztek and Buick Rendezvous will receive Gen 6 by the fourth quarter of 2003. All full-sized trucks are scheduled by the first quarter of 2004. The remainder of the fleet will adopt Gen 6 throughout the 2004 and 2005 model years. Exact timing has not been finalized.

"The Gen 6 OnStar system brings some new features, including:
- An enhanced voice recognition system, including continuous digit dialing, which can accept a phone number in a continous string as opposed to one digit at a time
- Quicker response to door unlocks.

Analog-only: Most 2003 model year and earlier vehicles have analog-only hardware. The FCC ruling requires that U.S. wireless carriers provide reliable, nationwide analog service until February 2008. We do not anticipate that OnStar service will be affected in any way during the five-year transition period. However, if the carriers for OnStar elect to provide only digital service after that, then beginning Feb. 16, 2008, OnStar service will be available only through dual-mode (analog/digital) hardware.

Analog/Digital-Ready: Some 2003 and 2004 model year vehicles have analog/digital-ready hardware. These vehicles have been prepared for conversion to analog/digital (dual mode) hardware when it becomes available.

Analog/Digital (Dual-Mode): Some 2004 and future OnStar-equipped vehicles feature dual-mode (analog/digital) hardware, which will be unaffected by the FCC ruling.

OnStar will notify customers directly if they will be affected by this ruling, along with plans to accommodate customers who wish to continue as OnStar subscribers."

If I find the particular month issue, I'll post the link - unless of course someone else does first...