Early adopters of General Motors’ OnStar system will be left in the dark after January 1st, 2008. On that date, GM will be shutting down its analog OnStar network. The shut down of GM’s analog OnStar network is a result of the FCC shutting down the entire analog cell phone network on Fbruary 19th, 2008.
The FCC is shutting down the analog cell phone network due to a lack of use and will auction it off to the highest bidder. The two biggest users of the analog network are analog cell phone technologies and cable networks.
However, GM will not be the only automaker affected by the shutdown. Mercedes-Benz ’s TeleAid and Toyota ’s older Lexus Link will no longer work either.
No word if conversion kits will be available for any of the systems, but due to cost, it seems unlikely.
