Onstar phone coverage area

[shorebreeze]

I've a question on Onstar. As I'm sure many here are aware, Onstar has recently switched from Verizon to AT&T for their primary wireless provider. Furthermore, it would seem that 2013 and previous models clearly have CDMA phones, while 2015 and later models clearly support 4G LTE and 3G UMTS. The status of 2014 models, however, is not entirely clear, and also it's not clear to me whether or not they have both CDMA and UMTS, or just CDMA. (Additionally, it's not clear whether 2015 models support CDMA or not, or just UMTS).

The coverage maps shed no light at all on this. In areas where AT&T outperforms Verizon, the orange "Onstar Service Available" footprint reflects Verizon, while the larger blue "Limited Onstar Service Available" footprint reflects AT&T. In areas where Verizon outperforms AT&T, it's the other way around. There's no way of customizing the coverage map to your car.

So where does the Onstar phone in my 2014 work? Does it have both Verizon CDMA and AT&T UMTS, or just CDMA?

 

[OnStar Advisor]

Originally Posted by shorebreezeI've a question on Onstar. As I'm sure many here are aware, Onstar has recently switched from Verizon to AT&T for their primary wireless provider. Furthermore, it would seem that 2013 and previous models clearly have CDMA phones, while 2015 and later models clearly support 4G LTE and 3G UMTS. The status of 2014 models, however, is not entirely clear, and also it's not clear to me whether or not they have both CDMA and UMTS, or just CDMA. (Additionally, it's not clear whether 2015 models support CDMA or not, or just UMTS).

The coverage maps shed no light at all on this. In areas where AT&T outperforms Verizon, the orange "Onstar Service Available" footprint reflects Verizon, while the larger blue "Limited Onstar Service Available" footprint reflects AT&T. In areas where Verizon outperforms AT&T, it's the other way around. There's no way of customizing the coverage map to your car.

So where does the Onstar phone in my 2014 work? Does it have both Verizon CDMA and AT&T UMTS, or just CDMA?

shorebreeze,

Thank you for your question! I'd like to add some clarification. All 2014 and earlier vehicles will connect using CDMA hardware. Verizon is our primary service provider for this cellular connection. Select 2015 and newer vehicles have our new 4G LTE hardware, and with it, our new WiFi Hotspot feature. Vehicles with the new hardware still connect using Verizon as our primary service provider. However, for the new 4G LTE data plans we are offering to use with the WiFi feature, we use AT&T as our data provider. We feel AT&T, which has the nation's fastest and most reliable 4G LTE network, is the carrier that will best help us bring high-speed vehicle connectivity to our subscribers. I hope this helps!

~Sara, OnStar Advisor
Social Media Team

 

[shorebreeze]

It helps. I'm curious if the 2015 version also supports non-LTE 4G and 3G for data. That dramatically affects the footprint. The implication of your map is that it probably does . . . in any case I'm assuming that the 2015 data map is a good guide.

As for 2014 and earlier, and for voice calls on 2015 models, I take it that -- until Onstar can produce coverage maps that are custom to the model year of vehicle -- the best way of figuring coverage is to look at Verizon's 2G/3G map? Or do Onstar voice calls on 2015 vehicles work throughout both Verizon and AT&T territory?

EDIT: is there an Onstar upgrade path for existing vehicles? And, when Verizon replaces their IS95 CDMA voice network with additional 4G or better, likely in 2021 or so, will it also be possible to upgrade existing cars to work? We wouldn't want a repeat of when GM cars equipped with analog cellular Onstar could not be upgraded to IS95 CDMA and therefore lost their Onstar when Verizon made the switch away from analog about a decade ago.

 

[OnStar Advisor]

It helps. I'm curious if the 2015 version also supports non-LTE 4G and 3G for data. That dramatically affects the footprint. The implication of your map is that it probably does . . . in any case I'm assuming that the 2015 data map is a good guide.

As for 2014 and earlier, and for voice calls on 2015 models, I take it that -- until Onstar can produce coverage maps that are custom to the model year of vehicle -- the best way of figuring coverage is to look at Verizon's 2G/3G map? Or do Onstar voice calls on 2015 vehicles work throughout both Verizon and AT&T territory?

EDIT: is there an Onstar upgrade path for existing vehicles? And, when Verizon replaces their IS95 CDMA voice network with additional 4G or better, likely in 2021 or so, will it also be possible to upgrade existing cars to work? We wouldn't want a repeat of when GM cars equipped with analog cellular Onstar could not be upgraded to IS95 CDMA and therefore lost their Onstar when Verizon made the switch away from analog about a decade ago.

Hi shorebreeze,

All of our currently existing voice technology uses Verizon Wireless as a provider. I hope this answers your question!

~Alison B.
OnStar Social Media Advisor

 

[LorbeerTLC]

OnStar "Hands-Free" Service

As a current OnStar subscriber, I'd like to mention that I had originally considered not to include the "Hands-Free" service since I have Bluetooth. Why have two services that overlap each other?

OnStar informed me that their "Hands-Free" service has a superior signal range when it comes to weak or no cell phone coverage. Sure enough, while driving from Salem, Oregon across the Cascades to Bend, Oregon, there were several times I could not get cell phone coverage from my cell phone. But my OnStar's "Hands-Free" service worked flawlessly! This was important because a friend of mine had a deer jumped right out in front of her at night and it totaled her car. By luck she was right in-between "dead spots" for cell phone coverage so she could call for help. If this had happened without cell phone coverage or on a curved part of the road where she could have gone over the side in an OnStar equipped vehicle, they could have responded and send help even if she couldn't.
There were also several times I had forgotten to carry my cell phone and that made having the "Hands-Free" service a nice convenience.
For me, OnStar is added insurance that's great to have if or when you need it!

 

[KlassKlown]

^ woo another oregonian!! out toward salem too.

Onstar hands free is pretty cool too, sucks it's all too expensive for me

 

[LorbeerTLC]

^ woo another oregonian!! out toward salem too.

Onstar hands free is pretty cool too, sucks it's all too expensive for me

I agree! I wish OnStar could offer a package deal that would be a "one-time, lifetime" plan (Directions and Connections with "Turn-by-Turn"), that covers you for as long as you own the vehicle instead of charging you monthly or yearly. As for "Hands Free" I purchase only 30 minute increments per year and use it as a back-up phone, not as my primary phone.

 

[The Champ]

However, for the new 4G LTE data plans we are offering to use with the WiFi feature, we use AT&T as our data provider. We feel AT&T, which has the nation's fastest and most reliable 4G LTE network, is the carrier that will best help us bring high-speed vehicle connectivity to our subscribers. I hope this helps!

~Sara, OnStar Advisor
Social Media Team

Sara

With all due respect, AT&T CLAIMS to have the "nation's fastest and most reliable 4G LTE network". And that may be true where in the limited area where they have the service available.

But they don't have 4G LTE service in the much of the United States. In many areas they don't even have 3G service. There are plenty of areas that have no service at all (this is based on AT&T's own coverage maps).

I think going with AT&T for the wifi feature was a big mistake. If they still insist on using AT&T when I get the replacement for my AWD Pontiac Torrent within the next 24 months - I will not even consider the wifi service because of AT&T's very limited service in the areas I live, work and play in.

GM is the leader in the car industry and I don't think it bodes well for them to utilize a 2nd tier wireless provider when they introduce new technology features.

The best should utilize the best.

 

[KlassKlown]

No offense ^ but AT&T has been proven the fastest while Verizon has been proven they cover more, I personally respect your input and totally agree that AT&T lacks a lot but sometimes I wish Verizon was quick.

 

[The Champ]

^ AT&T may be fast in some areas - but you have to have service to be fast.

You live in Oregon - there's a lot more white space on AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile's 4G LTE Network that Verizon's.

 

[KlassKlown]

lol that just sounded very redundant to what I just said.. also, you might want to not post those biased coverage maps because like I just said, they're very biased against each other. Also, I'm being very neutral about both companies, no need to bash on others when yours isn't the best. Provide some cell antenna proof for each city and let Onstar choose the proven fastest company, notice how I said Proven Fastest, not Proven Coverage like Verizon has done so good.

 

[The Champ]

Like I posted - where I live work and play - AT&T doesn't work well. This information is confirmed via AT&T's own coverage map.

Using AT&T's own descriptions, they have the following types of coverage in my area:

1. No Service at all
2. 2G 3rd party service
3. 2G
4. 3G 3rd party service
5. 3G
6. 4G
7. 4G LTE

The majority of the area I travel has service levels of 1 - 5. There is a decent amount of level 6.

The 4G LTE service is centered on the Interstate system, major highways and larger towns in my travel area. But I need to point out that large stretches of Interstate and major highways in my area that have service levels of 1 - 3 (yes - that means at best 2G service).

I live south of Rochester, MN and our daughter lives in Madison, WI. If I take my preferred 200 mile drive to visit her (200 mile drive on major U.S highways), I will have service levels 1 - 5 for 115 miles from AT&T based on AT&T's own coverage map. Another 40 miles will be 4G. So I would only have 45 miles of 4G LTE service in a 200 mile drive.

Your state of Oregon is much worse than my area - once you leave the I5 and HWY 97 corridor.

If you spend all your time in major cities, AT&T has a very good product. However, for a mobile service while you are traveling (I.E. - OnStar), AT&T is not a very good or reliable provider.

I spent 16 years in the wireless industry - never with AT&T or Verizon - and was involved, among other things, the testing needed to create coverage maps (not computer generated - but actually in the field testing to see if it really worked). I know very well how to read them, and understand what they mean.

 

[LorbeerTLC]

Like I posted - where I live work and play - AT&T doesn't work well. This information is confirmed via AT&T's own coverage map.

Using AT&T's own descriptions, they have the following types of coverage in my area:

1. No Service at all
2. 2G 3rd party service
3. 2G
4. 3G 3rd party service
5. 3G
6. 4G
7. 4G LTE

The majority of the area I travel has service levels of 1 - 5. There is a decent amount of level 6.

The 4G LTE service is centered on the Interstate system, major highways and larger towns in my travel area. But I need to point out that large stretches of Interstate and major highways in my area that have service levels of 1 - 3 (yes - that means at best 2G service).

I live south of Rochester, MN and our daughter lives in Madison, WI. If I take my preferred 200 mile drive to visit her (200 mile drive on major U.S highways), I will have service levels 1 - 5 for 115 miles from AT&T based on AT&T's own coverage map. Another 40 miles will be 4G. So I would only have 45 miles of 4G LTE service in a 200 mile drive.

Your state of Oregon is much worse than my area - once you leave the I5 and HWY 97 corridor.

If you spend all your time in major cities, AT&T has a very good product. However, for a mobile service while you are traveling (I.E. - OnStar), AT&T is not a very good or reliable provider.

I spent 16 years in the wireless industry - never with AT&T or Verizon - and was involved, among other things, the testing needed to create coverage maps (not computer generated - but actually in the field testing to see if it really worked). I know very well how to read them, and understand what they mean.

I have to agree with The Champ about Verizon. I've had AT&T wireless for several years and found our service was marginal with lots of dropped calls at home. I think at the time it had to do with GSM having a tougher time going through solid objects (walls). When we switched to Verizon (CDMA), I found that eliminated our "dropped calls" problem. Both companies had the same signal strength of two bars, but Verizon was much better indoors.
Then there's the "Voice and Data at the same time" issue. I would guess this could be why OnStar leaned towards AT&T with its new 4G LTE WiFi system. Maybe they needed to have simultaneous functions of voice and data in order for their system to work without the need of a second antenna.
That said, I know Verizon is now offering "Voice over LTE" (VoLTE) where available on newer phones like the iPhone 6. This will handle voice and data at the same time. Currently, this only works if you have LTE coverage and not 3G or lower.
So the market is continuing to change. Who knows what'll be standard in the next 5 years ??? opcorn:

 

[The Champ]

^

OnStar still uses Verizon for the voice service, but for some reason chose AT&T for the data side. I'm guessing that AT&T offered a lower price.

 

[LorbeerTLC]

ABC News/AP: Telematics Hacked?

This question is for OnStar.

Last night on ABC's World News, a story was aired about the real possibility of the telematics being hacked and the dangers associated with it.

Report: Automakers Fail to Fully Protect Against ******* - ABC News

Being an OnStar subscriber, could you briefly tell us what you're doing and what measures are taking place to prevent such an occurrence from happening for your OnStar customers and whether or not this is something that we should be concerned about?

Thanks!

 

[shorebreeze]

Sorry I didn't follow up here but I should point out that GM's combination of AT&T data and Verizon voice at least makes sense for the most part. VZ's legacy voice network is very reliable, still the best, and not overtaxed by current use. Their data network is hurt by the fact that Verizon, amazingly enough, has fewer towers than any of the other major US carriers; evidently they've hoped to wing it by blasting out low-frequency band 13 LTE over a long distance, and evidently that's not working for them, judging by the dead spots, 4G signal drops, attempts at adding high frequency band 2 and 4 LTE on towers that are spaced too far apart for those frequencies, and pending permit applications for new towers. However, I'd hope that GM would consider a) in 2015 and newer models, routing voice calls over AT&T's network in places where Verizon lacks voice coverage, and b) offering for sale a 2015-style upgrade to older current-model vehicles (e.g. Sonic back to 2012, Cruze back to 2011 etc.).

 

[The Champ]

Their data network is hurt by the fact that Verizon, amazingly enough, has fewer towers than any of the other major US carriers....

Just which carrier has more towers than Verizon?

You can't have fewer towers and support a larger customer base. As of the end of last year, Verizon had 131.9 million customers. Without the network, you would lose your customers.

As you can see from the chart below, the gap between Verizon and AT&T has been getting larger over the last few years:

While AT&T may have a faster data connection speed in very limited areas, their average data speed (where they actually have service) is slower than Verizon's.

You could combine the 3 remaining top 5 carriers in the country and not even equal AT&T's customer base (Sprint 55 mil, T-Mobile 55 mil and US Cellular 5 mil = 115 mil). None of these carriers have close to the number of towers that AT&T does, much less Verizon.

I still say it's foolish for GM to have AT&T for data for a mobile hotspot with OnStar. You can't get mobile data where there is no service - and AT&T has huge holes as you drive around the States.

AT&T offered a lower price for a lesser service.