Analog-to-Digital Transition

What different types of equipment do OnStar-equipped vehicles have?
All 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 there is no digital upgrade available. 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. (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.
What kind of equipment does my OnStar-equipped vehicle have?
To determine the equipment type in an OnStar-equipped vehicle, you may: Press the blue OnStar button in the vehicle and ask the OnStar Advisor to identify which equipment type was factory-installed in the vehicle.
Call OnStar toll-free at 1.888.206.0031, or to contact us online, click here. (Please have your OnStar account number or your vehicle identification number (VIN) available.)
How does the transition to the digital network affect me right now?
You don't need to do anything at this time. Your OnStar equipment will function as it always has until January 1, 2008. The cellular carriers will support the analog network until early 2008.
Will I still be able to get an OnStar subscription after January 1, 2008?
OnStar service will be available to vehicles with dual-mode (analog/digital) equipment after January 1, 2008. If you currently have analog/digital-ready equipment and your vehicle manufacturer is offering an equipment upgrade for your vehicle, it will need to be upgraded to dual-mode (analog/digital) equipment to continue service as of January 1, 2008. (Refer to Question #7 for additional information.) If your vehicle has analog-only equipment, you will not be able to upgrade the equipment nor will your vehicle be able to receive OnStar service, including Hands-Free Calling, as of January 1, 2008. (Refer to question #2 to determine which type of equipment was factory-installed in your vehicle.)
Will my OnStar-equipped vehicle's analog-only system still work after January 1, 2008?
No. As of early 2008, cellular carriers will no longer support the analog network. Cellular carriers in Canada and the U.S. are in the process of transitioning their networks from analog to digital technology. Without the analog network, OnStar cannot ensure the national coverage that would allow us to provide subscribers with analog equipment the services they expect from us. As a result, beginning January 1, 2008, OnStar service in Canada and the United States will only be available through dual-mode (analog/digital) equipment.
Why didn't OnStar begin to utilize digital technology sooner?
As the cellular industry transitioned, there were three digital technologies, none of which provided nationwide coverage in Canada or the U.S. It was not clear which of these technologies would survive and, in fact, one of the technologies has since been discontinued. It would have been impractical to try to provide services on multi-system equipment capable of connecting to all of these networks. Moreover, in order to provide OnStar services on the digital network, a new technology had to be developed to support OnStar's unique requirements to transmit both data and voice on the same digital call.
Will a digital upgrade program be available for subscribers with earlier versions of OnStar equipment?
Each vehicle manufacturer will determine whether it will offer an analog-to-digital transition plan for subscribers who have analog/digital-ready OnStar equipment and are interested in upgrading to digital equipment. To learn more, click here.
What are cellular carriers?
The independent cellular communication companies that hold cellular broadcast licenses in various areas are called cellular carriers or cellular service providers. OnStar relies on a nationwide cellular network of these carriers to provide communication to and from all OnStar-equipped vehicles.
What is analog?
Analog cellular service transmits voice on a continuous radio wave using frequency modulation similar to an FM radio, and operates in the 800 MHz frequency range. All 800 MHz analog systems operate under a common industry standard, known as Advanced Mobile Phone Services (AMPS).
What is digital?
In a digital cellular system, voice is converted to a digital signal and then transmitted over air. Digital cellular service operates in both the 800 MHz and 1900 MHz frequency range. The three dominant systems in Canada and the U.S. are CDMA, GSM and TDMA. OnStar-equipped vehicles with dual-mode (analog/digital) hardware have been engineered to work in the 800 MHz frequency for analog or CDMA digital networks, in addition to the 1900 MHz CDMA digital networks.