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No More OnStar for Some Avs - FCC Ruling

KurtZ66

SM 2007
Full Member
Joined
Jun 3, 2002
Messages
84
Location
Atlanta, GA
? ? I received a letter in the mail yesterday from OnStar. Since my 2002 Av has an analog system and the FCC no longer requires wireless carriers to support analog systems, I apparently won't be able to use OnStar after December 31, 2007.
? ?
? ? According to the letter, "beginning January 1, 2008, OnStar service in the United States and Canada will only be available through vehicles that are capable of operating on the digital network."
(n)

? ? I'm not happy about that, but since I'm not looking to buy a new vehicle yet, it looks like I'll be without OnStar starting in 2008.? would think GM and OnStar had some say in this as well since the FCC ruling states that carriers are not required to support the analog systems, I'm sure some still will. I guess it's a consistency of coverage issue.

? ?On the bright side of things, I'll save the renewal this year.?


 
Look in Audio Video section under ONSTAR sub section.

there are some threads about this..

and that sonme get equipment upgrade to use new digital signals..

not sure if this applies to 2002
 
I've actually used it several times since I've owned the truck - all to report accidents I've witnessed and not been in, thank God. But I like the peace of mind, especially when my wife drives the truck with my son in it.

I'd get it again in future vehicles. I look at it like an insurance policy or alram system - you have it and hope you never need it.
 
I agree with ygmn.  There are a couple threads about this already and GM is offering updated digital hardware for certain vehicles and I believe that the 2002 Avalanche is on the list.  I think the only stipulation is that you need to sign up to OnStar for three years at the same time or something like that.
 
Boar-Ral said:
I agree with ygmn.? There are a couple threads about this already and GM is offering updated digital hardware for certain vehicles and I believe that the 2002 Avalanche is on the list.? I think the only stipulation is that you need to sign up to OnStar for three years at the same time or something like that.
The digital upgrade doesn't apply to the 02 AVs, the Onstar system was upgraded in the early 03s but was still analog, but since they had newer technology, they can still be upgraded. At least that is what the report reads. However I can't believe that the gov't would make so many people have to trade in their 02 car/trucks just to be able to keep onstar w/ a newer model that has the digital system.

-James.
 
james21 said:
The digital upgrade doesn't apply to the 02 AVs, the Onstar system was upgraded in the early 03s but was still analog, but since they had newer technology, they can still be upgraded. At least that is what the report reads. However I can't believe that the gov't would make so many people have to trade in their 02 car/trucks just to be able to keep onstar w/ a newer model that has the digital system.
D'oh!  Not good. :(
 
KurtZ66 said:
I look at it like an insurance policy or alarm system - you have it and hope you never need it.

OnStar gets you a discount on your auto-insurance too
 
Yea I get 30% off liability because I have on star.
It is worth it for me  and it also dose diagnostics on the fly which I have used before.

But the 30% off NJ insurance is a nice chunk of change? :E:
 
SRFNSNO said:
Yea I get 30% off liability because I have on star.
It is worth it for me? and it also dose diagnostics on the fly which I have used before.

But the 30% off NJ insurance is a nice chunk of change? :E:

They don't always ask if you kept OnStar current when you renew  >:D
 
Yea but when it gets ripped off (if it gets ripped off) you well Think you get what I mean.
Time to look at lo-Jack
 
Good Morning,
I have always thought that OnStar was one of those "gee whiz" type of gadgets. AAA and a cell phone seems to be better in all categories with the exception of the fact that OnStar could find the vehicle if it was stolen.

I believe that GM could find a way to convert the analog equipped vehicles to digital, but most likely they decided that the potential cost outweighed the benefits. They will disconnect customers that have 1996-2002 year vehicles after 1 January 2008. That says good things about the viability of OnStar since they seem to be confident that they can loose that many customers and still have a large enough customer base to stay in business.

I have to say that I do not want OnStar in  a new vehicle. I do not want to take the chance that the technology will change or become obsolete during the time I typically own my vehicles.
Durwin
 
Well there might be a way to get the digital upgrade, but that would entail ripping out the entire dash and computer and installing an 03-06 dash and computer, and then pay the money to upgrade to digital. Its only about $4-5K for that mod.

-James.
 
Durwin said:
Good Morning,
I have always thought that OnStar was one of those "gee whiz" type of gadgets. AAA and a cell phone seems to be better in all categories with the exception of the fact that OnStar could find the vehicle if it was stolen.

I believe that GM could find a way to convert the analog equipped vehicles to digital, but most likely they decided that the potential cost outweighed the benefits. They will disconnect customers that have 1996-2002 year vehicles after 1 January 2008. That says good things about the viability of OnStar since they seem to be confident that they can loose that many customers and still have a large enough customer base to stay in business.

I have to say that I do not want OnStar in a new vehicle. I do not want to take the chance that the technology will change or become obsolete during the time I typically own my vehicles.
Durwin

I'm with those thoughts too, even though my 03 was upgraded. Most of the new GM trucks will have the hardware anyway, however one doesn't have to activate it. `Still, it's hardware you're "forced" to pay for.

If you never activate it, you'll never be "abandoned" this way when the next technology upgrade comes.

Understand that it's not just the 02 Av's in this mess. Other GM vehicle owners with analog only OnStar too. That's a lot of abandoned GM owners!

Anyone heard of some sort of class action legal or political action yet?
 
The year is still young, I'd be willing to bet there'll be something over this summer.

-James.
 
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