Do I Need OnStar to Keep Wi-Fi?

[dcarl]

I didn't get much traffic on my question the way it was posed before:

I know a lot of OnStar topics have been debated, but I haven't seen this question raised yet and I can't seem to find an answer anywhere else.

My OnStar subscription expires next month, and I already carry my truck with the phone number that was assigned by OnStar on my cell phone plan for the data coverage for the 4g LTE Wi-Fi option. So my question is since the phone number that was registered as an OnStar number is on my ATT account currently, if I opt not to continue the OnStar service, do I lose the number and 4g LTE Wi-Fi capability in the truck? I like having the Wi-Fi feature in the truck for non cell phone gadgets like tablets and laptops.

I've experienced signal loss on my cell phone in places and the truck's Wi-Fi signal was able to provide internet lookup capability, so it's one of those nice to have's or know what you're losing if you cancel OnStar.

[chevy15]

99.9% sure you lose the number and Wifi

 

push that Onstar button on your rearview and ask - you'd have the right answer in less than a minute

[hurricanoday]

pretty sure if you have a 15 you have the basic onstar plan for 5 years or what ever it is. Comes with the newer vehicles. I am not paying for onstar but if needed I would just buy some minutes. I liked having the wifi also but their prices are ridiculous.

 

Can't you just add a line to your plan and bypass the onstar plans? ie use your att data from the ATT website

 

Connect a vehicle for $10 to Mobile Share Value: Eligible vehicles only. Pricing is for shared data service only. Requires minimum Mobile Share Value® plan (Unlimited Talk & Text plan starts at $20 per month for 300MB data, or data-only plan starts at $30 per month for 4GB) plus $10 per month access charge per vehicle. Devices: limit 10 per plan. Data: Overage charges apply if you exceed monthly data allowance. General Wireless Service Terms: Subject to Wireless Customer Agreement or applicable Business Agreement. Credit approval may apply. Activation or upgrade fee and deposit may apply. Other monthly charges per line: May include taxes, federal and state universal service charges, a Regulatory Cost Recovery Charge (up to $1.25), a gross receipts surcharge, an Administrative Fee, and other government assessments which are not government-required charges. Restrictions apply and may result in service termination. Offer, terms, and pricing are subject to change. Coverage and service not available everywhere. Visit a store or att.com/mobilesharevalue for pricing details.

[dcarl]

That's my very question - My truck is already on my ATT plan. I added it when the 3 month data plan on the 2015 trial ran out... So since the number on my ATT account was assigned by OnStar, does it die when OnStar dies?

pretty sure if you have a 15 you have the basic onstar plan for 5 years or what ever it is. Comes with the newer vehicles. I am not paying for onstar but if needed I would just buy some minutes. I liked having the wifi also but their prices are ridiculous.

 

Can't you just add a line to your plan and bypass the onstar plans? ie use your att data from the ATT website

 

Connect a vehicle for $10 to Mobile Share Value: Eligible vehicles only. Pricing is for shared data service only. Requires minimum Mobile Share Value® plan (Unlimited Talk & Text plan starts at $20 per month for 300MB data, or data-only plan starts at $30 per month for 4GB) plus $10 per month access charge per vehicle. Devices: limit 10 per plan. Data: Overage charges apply if you exceed monthly data allowance. General Wireless Service Terms: Subject to Wireless Customer Agreement or applicable Business Agreement. Credit approval may apply. Activation or upgrade fee and deposit may apply. Other monthly charges per line: May include taxes, federal and state universal service charges, a Regulatory Cost Recovery Charge (up to $1.25), a gross receipts surcharge, an Administrative Fee, and other government assessments which are not government-required charges. Restrictions apply and may result in service termination. Offer, terms, and pricing are subject to change. Coverage and service not available everywhere. Visit a store or att.com/mobilesharevalue for pricing details.

[Aussieshed]

Pretty sure OnStar and WiFi are different things since AT&T is the service provider for the WiFi. OnStar finishing should not affect your WiFi at all. They just had the ability to link it to your AT&T account for you.

[Fole75]

You'll be fine.. The data just transfers to AT&T. We have the same thing. Just look after devices to make sure they don't connect when you don't want them to, it can become a interesting bill. Add enough data and your good to go..it's a great feature.

[leonidas711]

I have the Wifi on my ATT bill and do NOT have OnStar services (calling and Maps).

Plus because the wifi comes from the satellites, it know no boundries. The wife and I went to Toronto a couple weekends ago and wifi worked the whole time, with no roaming fees etc...

[SMiller]

Isn't the WiFi big money? I heard it was very expensive?

[Aussieshed]

No. If you have AT&T as your cell service already it's just $10 more to add the truck per month. Assuming you already have a sufficient data plan on your cell service that you don't need to increase it. If you don't have AT&T then yeah you need to sign up for a new service for the truck.

[Aussieshed]

Are you sure? I went camping in August about 2 hours north off Seattle and had no service.

 

I have the Wifi on my ATT bill and do NOT have OnStar services (calling and Maps).

Plus because the wifi comes from the satellites, it know no boundries. The wife and I went to Toronto a couple weekends ago and wifi worked the whole time, with no roaming fees etc...

[hurricanoday]

I think they are saying that the antenna is bigger in the truck so it could get better service. Pretty sure it uses cell towers like everything else but satellite for gps

 

https://www.onstar.com/us/en/services/coveragemaps.html

 

These maps depict OnStar services on digital OnStar-equipped vehicles. These are approximations and don't guarantee coverage, which may be affected by terrain, foliage, buildings, construction, and other factors