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December 2, 2008 11:44:32 AM CST

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Analog Shutdown Strands OnStar Users

Posted Dec 21, 07 10:12 PM CST in Technology 

(Newser) – Users of the OnStar vehicle safety and communications system will be among those left in the lurch when analog cellphone systems are mothballed next year, AP reports. The government decided in 2002 to let carriers call time on the old cellular networks, but GM was still rolling out some cars equipped for the old system as late as 2005.

A million cellphones will see their signal die with the network, but it's people owning cars or home alarms with built-in wireless the shutdown will hit hardest. With wireless technology leaping forward, manufacturers are trying to avoid this situation repeating.  "I don't think anyone wants to go through this again in five years," an industry insider said.

Source Associated Press

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Adele Rothman talks about her OnStar service while sitting for a photo in her 2003 Saab at her home Friday, Dec. 14, 2007 in Scarsdale, N.Y. Rothman, whose car is equipped with an OnStar service, will...   (Associated Press)
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Chet Huber, OnStar's president. The shutdown of the analog system next year means hundreds of thousand of OnStar users with older cars will be left in the lurch. (AP Photo)   (Associated Press)
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