Has anyone got a letter from onstar stating that it needs to be upgraded from analog to digital? I think this would only apply to pre 2004 0r 2003 GM vehicles.

I'm trying to find out for a friend. They just paid for a full year last month, then recieved a letter that they need upgraded. OnStar wants them to go back to the dealer to upgrade. OnStar also said that they need to pay the dealer for the upgrade and purchase a new year sub from the dealer. I think it's BS because they just paid for a full year. The dealer should just upgrade, and only charge for that.

 

What make and model vehicle do they have?

Factory or dealer installed option?

 

It's an 04 GMC Yukon - Factory

 

With all the cellular network consolidations in the past five years, and the
Carriers need to go completely digital (can fit more subscribers on digital),
I wonder if the transceiver in that Yukon is analog. GM aint exactly known
for being an early adopter of technology.

I know I had to upgrade all of my cellular phones around that time (2003) because
Cingular could no longer accommodate analog handsets. Or so I was told.









OnStar-equipped vehicles have one of three types of equipment

Analog-Only: OnStar-equipped vehicles with analog-only equipment were designed to operate only on the analog cellular network and cannot be upgraded to operate on the digital network. Vehicles with this equipment will no longer be able to receive OnStar services beginning January 1, 2008. At that time, service will be available only through dual-mode (analog/digital) equipment. Analog-only vehicles cannot be upgraded to digital equipment. (Refer to Question #6 for additional details.)

Analog/Digital-Ready: OnStar-equipped vehicles with analog/digital-ready equipment operate on the analog cellular network, but can be upgraded to dual-mode (analog/digital) equipment if available for that vehicle. Beginning January 1, 2008, OnStar service will not be available on these vehicles unless the OnStar equipment has been upgraded to dual-mode (analog/digital) equipment.

Dual-Mode (Analog/Digital): OnStar-equipped vehicles with dual-mode (analog/digital) equipment operate on both the analog and digital cellular networks and will not require an upgrade in connection with the cellular industry's transition to the digital network.

 

Thanks Gunner I understand that it needs to be upgraded. But to tell them they have to pay the dealer again for the same year of service that they already purhcased is _______![:@]

Again, thanks. They will be reading this, and it will shed some light on the subject.

 

Yea, I'm not sure which version I have (original version I suspect) AND I was already told by OnStar that at some point, year & a-half at the time, my hummer system will no longer function. Looks like the KIA date is 1/08--When I was informed bout this I was told by OS that the replacement costs will be paid by OnStar--Well, now, hold -on-thar--When I interrogated my SA at my hummer dealer he says--uh-uh--not free, I have to pay $195 big ones to replace--BUT wait, we can't do it right away, you pay the 195, WE rip your console apart to see which module is in thar, we then order their new &proper equipment from OnStar (they pay for the H/W), you come back, we rip your console apart again to install the new module--I told him what are U FucXkin crazy?? I gotta let U rip my console out twice? AND then I have to pay you for this? Why don't you know what is in there now?, OR why can't yall tell me & them WTF is in thar now using OS?--To me this is all still in flux, when I was told in August last year it was free by OS, and thenwhen I go to my dealer in November for service, oh no Not free, you gotta give me 195 up front--GRRR, Just because OS changes there equipment I should not have to pay for a digital system, hell when I boughtH2 I thought it was a DIG system--What bothers me the most at this point, I have 2 let my hummer dealer rip my console apart 2 times on a perfectly working hummer to replace the OnStar module?? Does not compute. My H2's warranty is over, who pays for any damages with them screwing around in my console? who pays if something craps outAFTER they go in there--2 TIMES!!--I donno, Ima gonna need like a 1 year warranty extention or something for the console area--We'l see what happens, to me its not a money issue, its the fact my console now has to be ripped apart 2 times---now that bothers me alot, since the fact is, sinceI bought my H2, my console has never needed to be ripped open, it is just fine thank ya--Itsee a fight abrewin with hummer AND OS--[sm=boosign.gif][sm=chattypair.gif][sm=dontgetit.gif][sm=icon_beat.gif][sm=icon_blah.gif]

 

If your OnStar is active, then you should not have to pay for the full year! You think they would at least prorate it for the time remaining.[&:]

And they should already know what's in there.

 

Sorry blackstangs281, I got carried away with the tech side of this story.

I agree with you ! ! OS should be paying the bulk of the upgrade costs. Especially to those who have already paid for service.

I bet if your friend raises a stink and asks to speak to someone in "Customer Retention" they might get some action.

I worked in the Communications industry for 5 years....Believe me when I say they don't want to lose a customer.

The $$money$$ is in the $ervice, not the hardware (think of all the free phones w/Subscription).....Also the number of $ubscriber$ is an
indicator of the companies strength. The higher the$ubnumber, the better the company looks to the stock holders.

XM gave me a line of crap @ renewal time, I balked and got them down to half of what they were asking...They NEED active subscribers.

Good luck to your friends and keep us posted...

 

There is a bullentin for upgrading your analog/digital ready onstar system #05-08-46-006J. You have to pay 1 year of service to get the hardware and the installation for free. The dealer does not control any of this other than the transaction and installing the hardware and setup. They will not have to check any numbers on your unitif your truck/car is on the bullentin you can get the upgrade. I would call onstar to see if they can work somthing out. Steve