OnStar To Go Silent In 2008 For Many Subscribers...

[ragingfish]

Here's an interesting New York Times article I read today on the wirless industry's pending sunset of the analog telephone networks and how some OnStar subscribers are going to be screwed once that shutdown happens...Three different image sizes are available:Uber-Large Size: 3317x4464Large: 1664x2189Normal: 832x1095and for S&G, here it is in PDF:PDF: PDF

[ColonelPanic]

The FCC is just beyond stupid... Wusses, can't stand up to the cell phone companies who don't want to maintain this antiquated technology that still works fine in many places if not everywhere. Or maybe these evil corporations just slipped them some cash and they said ok... Around where my folks live, way out in the middle of nowhere, ky digital is finally starting to work somewhat, that's a relatively new development - it was analog ONLY until a couple years ago... BUT analog is really still necessary when you get not that far out from their place. I'm sure that isn't the only area like that where analog is your only option for coverage.Quite frankly, I for one can actually say I will miss analog... Back when I had a brick phone, it didn't sound that good... But I swear every time I have to analog roam and I've got a full signal, the analog sounds a hell of a lot clearer than that digital crap which always makes you sounds like your're fricken underwater! Anyway, back to OnStar, this sucks all around - just as bad for the company as it is for their customers. I know my parents are going to get screwed out of this deal... Or maybe not, they're paying for OnStar on a car they've owned since 2004 that only has like 7,000 miles on it that sits in the garage all the time, it'll save them money. lol!

[Raven]

Where I live there are a lot of big hills and the cell phone towers are far apart. If it weren't for analog large areas would have no service at all. Even with analog there are plenty of dead zones, some within 10 miles of Ottawa, a major urban center with a combined population of over a million people. Isn't it in remote areas that you would most want Onstar to work in case of trouble?

[Herb]

I guess this means the Batmobile is screwed.

[kostby]

Link to an Autoweek story on the analog OnStar shutdown effective 02/18/2008 --> http://www.autoweek.com/apps/p...TNEWS

[Raven]

I know it would be way more expensive but to be truly useful and safe, Onstar should be satellite phone connected.

[Whelan]

speaking of analogs, what happens when your cell phone dies, your power is out and you cannot reach anyone???We keep a spare hard wired phone in the basement and still have the outlet for it as well just in case.

[ehoff121]

My 2005 Vibe has a digital OnStar system.Unfortunately, a chunk of features don't work!! Among them: vehicle diagnostics and voice navigation It was incredibly hard to find a used Vibe w/ OnStar, but not having all the standard features after you find one is awful.