OnStar Ripoff
Pro
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 549
Likes: 41
From: Kansas City MO
Most 2015 GM models, including the C7, have AT&T 4G LTE hotspot service. Previous service was Verizon 3G. One new benefit is separate hotspot data only packages which seem reasonably priced. No other OnStar service required.
This would be useful on a cross country trip so my wife could work more easily on her laptop from the passenger seat. Currently, she tethers from her cell phone, but the built in hotspot would be more effective and convenient. At least that's why I tell her we need a C7.
This would be useful on a cross country trip so my wife could work more easily on her laptop from the passenger seat. Currently, she tethers from her cell phone, but the built in hotspot would be more effective and convenient. At least that's why I tell her we need a C7.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,017
Likes: 169
From: SE VA VA
Think about the offering you wanted to purchase. If they offered phone service ala carte, they would become a cell phone provider which they are not. They are a service provider which uses the cellular network to enable the services they provide with moving vehicles.
You can continue to use the hands-free phone operation in your vehicle without an OnStar subscription by using your own cell phone with a Bluetooth link to the vehicle communication interface module. You will not be able to use the vehicle antenna system which can only be used for OnStar services.
You can continue to use the hands-free phone operation in your vehicle without an OnStar subscription by using your own cell phone with a Bluetooth link to the vehicle communication interface module. You will not be able to use the vehicle antenna system which can only be used for OnStar services.
i see your point.
but the phone still goes thru their equipment, (and) unlike a traditional phone, there is no (publicized) way to extract the imei number to transfer the number to another carrier.
(but if you are on verizon, you can add the car to your plan w/o a problem, or knowing the imei)
bluetooth to my existing cell kills the phone battery in about 24 hours, and the usb ports dont output enough power to (re)charge my phone.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 26,228
Likes: 4,356
From: Chirper Island
I totally understand not wanting to have OnStar. I used to feel the same way. When it was offered on my '05, I declined, thinking, "That stuff happens to other people."
Since then, I have called OnStar Emergency twice (on purpose). Fortunately, it was not for me or mine.
The first time I witnessed a collision w/injuries (fortunately minor), and my call got the ball rolling faster than the 911 calls from the others on the scene. This was in a relatively populated area, with good cell phone coverage, but it was much easier to reach up and press a button, than find my cell phone which was somewhere on the floor by that time.
This last summer, while on a 7000 mile trip, I came upon a one car disaster in the cell phone dead zone on I25 45 miles south of Raton, NM, (but at the time I had no freaking idea exactly where I was). I had no cell signal, and called OnStar, who got a rescue team headed to the scene. I stayed until the first emergency vehicle arrived. That was a bit more than 30 minutes from when I arrived and called (that's how remote we were), and the ambulance didn't arrive until 40 minutes after my call.
I hate to imagine how long it would have taken for emergency services to arrive if my cell service was the deciding factor.
Since then, I have called OnStar Emergency twice (on purpose). Fortunately, it was not for me or mine.
The first time I witnessed a collision w/injuries (fortunately minor), and my call got the ball rolling faster than the 911 calls from the others on the scene. This was in a relatively populated area, with good cell phone coverage, but it was much easier to reach up and press a button, than find my cell phone which was somewhere on the floor by that time.
This last summer, while on a 7000 mile trip, I came upon a one car disaster in the cell phone dead zone on I25 45 miles south of Raton, NM, (but at the time I had no freaking idea exactly where I was). I had no cell signal, and called OnStar, who got a rescue team headed to the scene. I stayed until the first emergency vehicle arrived. That was a bit more than 30 minutes from when I arrived and called (that's how remote we were), and the ambulance didn't arrive until 40 minutes after my call.
I hate to imagine how long it would have taken for emergency services to arrive if my cell service was the deciding factor.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 606
Likes: 7
From: Nashville, TN
I totally understand not wanting to have OnStar. I used to feel the same way. When it was offered on my '05, I declined, thinking, "That stuff happens to other people."
Since then, I have called OnStar Emergency twice (on purpose). Fortunately, it was not for me or mine.
The first time I witnessed a collision w/injuries (fortunately minor), and my call got the ball rolling faster than the 911 calls from the others on the scene. This was in a relatively populated area, with good cell phone coverage, but it was much easier to reach up and press a button, than find my cell phone which was somewhere on the floor by that time.
This last summer, while on a 7000 mile trip, I came upon a one car disaster in the cell phone dead zone on I25 45 miles south of Raton, NM, (but at the time I had no freaking idea exactly where I was). I had no cell signal, and called OnStar, who got a rescue team headed to the scene. I stayed until the first emergency vehicle arrived. That was a bit more than 30 minutes from when I arrived and called (that's how remote we were), and the ambulance didn't arrive until 40 minutes after my call.
I hate to imagine how long it would have taken for emergency services to arrive if my cell service was the deciding factor.
Since then, I have called OnStar Emergency twice (on purpose). Fortunately, it was not for me or mine.
The first time I witnessed a collision w/injuries (fortunately minor), and my call got the ball rolling faster than the 911 calls from the others on the scene. This was in a relatively populated area, with good cell phone coverage, but it was much easier to reach up and press a button, than find my cell phone which was somewhere on the floor by that time.
This last summer, while on a 7000 mile trip, I came upon a one car disaster in the cell phone dead zone on I25 45 miles south of Raton, NM, (but at the time I had no freaking idea exactly where I was). I had no cell signal, and called OnStar, who got a rescue team headed to the scene. I stayed until the first emergency vehicle arrived. That was a bit more than 30 minutes from when I arrived and called (that's how remote we were), and the ambulance didn't arrive until 40 minutes after my call.
I hate to imagine how long it would have taken for emergency services to arrive if my cell service was the deciding factor.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 26,228
Likes: 4,356
From: Chirper Island
But, If that had been me, upside-down on the road, with detritus everywhere, barely clinging onto life, I'd say my subscription just paid for itself.
And I don't begrudge them my subscription cost, at all.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,992
Likes: 394
From: Naples FL
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
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Just a warning to check your credit card statements for Onstar charges you didnt authorize. Noticed a $29.90 charge from Onstar on my card statement that I dont recall authorizing. Called to find out about it and of course get someone in India who tells me its a monthly charge. So I say to cancel it and then I get to speak to a native english speaker who says my 6 month trial is over and tries to sell me over my objections, first 29.90 then 19.99 and then 9.99. Hate that crap. Will never trust them again