Use of digital / analog trimode ( two digital bands and one analog band ) technology allowed the 2005 RL OnStar technology to survive the planned 2007 phase-out of the analog OnStar to fully digital OnStar service.

OnStar relied heavily on North American AMPS service for its subscribers because, when the system was developed, AMPS offered the most comprehensive wireless coverage in the US.

In April 2007, MapQuest announced a partnership with General Motors ' OnStar that will allow OnStar subscribers to plan their driving routes on MapQuest. com and send their destination right to OnStar's turn-by-turn navigation service.

Prominent ACN systems include OnStar AACN service, Ford Link's 911 Assist, Toyota's Safety Connect, Lexus Link, or BMW Assist.

In September 2011 the president of OnStar stated that the service had more than six million customers.

The OnStar service relies on CDMA mobile phone voice and data communication, primarily via Verizon Wireless in the United States and Bell Mobility in Canada, as well as location information using GPS technology.

The OnStar service allows users to contact OnStar call centers during an emergency.

OnStar delivered its first product and service to the market in 11 months, in the fall of 1996 for model year 1997 Cadillac DeVille, Cadillac Seville and Cadillac Eldorado models.

From 2002 to 2005, OnStar service was available on vehicles produced by Acura, Audi, Isuzu, Subaru and Volkswagen through a licensing agreement.

In April 2006, GM notified approximately 500, 000 of their OnStar customers who had analog service that their service would be terminated effective December 31, 2007, because starting February 18, 2008 the Federal Communications Commission ( FCC ) would no longer require US cell phone systems to operate in analog mode.

A law firm in Pennsylvania representing some of the affected customers sought to have a class certified for a class action lawsuit for damages claimed in the cancellation of OnStar service.

In 2000, GM produced a series of Batman OnStar commercials that featured Batman ( using the Batmobile and props from the 1989 film ) using the service to call people, access his mail, navigate to certain locations, and to unlock the Batmobile.

In North America, a similar service is available by GM via their OnStar service.

The OnStar Web Destination Entry pilot program began in the summer of 2007 with a select group of OnStar subscribers.

As of May 2008, Grand Prixs from the model years of 01-03 that were outfitted with OnStar cannot be activated due to outdated technology.

GM's optional OnStar system available was standard this year uses a dedicated button on the cellular telephone putting drivers in contact with an information center that can provide them with emergency assistance.

Also included was a 2. 25 inch exhaust system with a Chrome-tip pipe that allowed for a more aggressive exhaust note from the tailpipe and GM's OnStar System.

OnStar was available in 1999 as a cell phone unit, later becoming integrated into the rearview mirror in 2001 with available features like hands-free calling and virtual advisor.

* OnStar Direction and Connections with turn-by-turn navigation

OnStar became standard on LT models and LS models with the new Z71 package.

New features included a new exterior and interior design, charcoal perforated leatherette seating surfaces, OnStar and standard on all models, available XM Satellite Radio, available leather-wrapped steering wheel wand shift knob are now included with perforated leatherette seating surface option, Driver Information Center with outside temperature display and fuel economy / driving range function, new 15 " 5-spoke aluminum wheels, GM Oil Life Monitoring System, ECOTEC 1. 6L DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder MFI engine with Variable Valve Timing and Dual Continuous Variable Cam Phasing ( 107 hp @ 6400 rpm, of torque @ 3800 rpm ), 5-speed manual transmission to include shift indicator light.

A new aftermarket interior rear-view mirror with a built-in OnStar module, branded as OnStar FMV, became available to the public on July 24, 2011.

All OnStar equipped vehicles have Stolen Vehicle Tracking, which can provide the police with the vehicle's exact location, speed and direction of movement.

Also in 2009, General Motors began equipping some new vehicles with Remote Ignition Block, allowing OnStar to remotely deactivate the ignition so when the stolen vehicle is shut off, it cannot be restarted.

All Stolen Vehicle Assistance services ( Stolen Vehicle Tracking, Stolen Vehicle Slowdown and Remote Ignition Block ) can be requested by the OnStar subscriber, but OnStar will not activate them until confirming with the police that the vehicle has been reported as stolen.

Since OnStar can help with the recovery of a stolen vehicle, some insurance companies recognize this and offer a discount.

Also, with certain insurance companies ( for example, GMAC Insurance ) and with subscriber permission, OnStar will send the insurance company the vehicle's odometer reading every month.

On December 19, 2011, GM said OnStar would join with Verizon Wireless to offer video chat and streaming content to automobile passengers.

Information sent from OnStar to GMAC Insurance pertains solely to mileage, and no additional data is gathered or used for any purpose other than to help manage transportation costs.

In the 1990s, Motorola ’ s technology was the driving force behind intelligent power switches for anti-lock brake systems, one of the first microelectromechanical systems ( MEMS ) inertial sensor for automotive airbags, and Motorola ’ s MPC5200 microprocessor deployed telematic systems for General Motors ’ OnStar systems.

This opt-in program is the first of its kind leveraging state-of-the-art technology using OnStar to allow customers who drive fewer miles to benefit from substantial savings.

The OnStar Virtual Advisor was developed at this time as well for General Motors.

In the event of a collision, detected by airbag deployment or other sensors, Advanced Automatic Collision Notification features can automatically send information about the vehicle's condition and GPS location to OnStar call centers.

It is theoretically possible for OnStar to be remotely activated by malicious third parties or under government order.

In 2011 OnStar did announce that it would start retaining all the information collected by the GPS and internal system, so that it could be sold to third parties.

OnStar hardware is currently only manufactured by LG Electronics as of 2011, although early models were made by Hughes for Gen 1, Delphi, for Gen 2 and Motorola for Gen 4 to Gen 6.

Vicki Vale was also portrayed by Brooke Burns in " Very Late " ( AKA " Hot Date "), one of the " Batman " OnStar commercials that mimicked the look of the 1989 film.

Under the program, new GMAC Insurance customers receive an automatic insurance discount of approximately 26 percent upon enrollment ( existing OnStar customers receive a discount based on historical mileage ).

Customers who drive more than 15, 000 miles per year are not penalized and all OnStar customers receive an insurance discount simply for having an active OnStar subscription.

Customers who purchased a prepaid, non-refundable, non-transferable 1-year OnStar Safe & Sound subscription were scheduled to receive an equipment upgrade.

The GMAC Insurance Low-Mileage Discount is an innovative program offered to OnStar subscribers in 34 states, where those who drive less pay less on their auto insurance.