GM's is being sued for leaving some subscribers behind as it switches to a digital network. The OnStar safety system, which automatically connects drivers to operators, is going all digital next year because some of it mobile phone network partners are also going digital.
But GM vehicles built before 2002 either must be upgraded (around 1 million vehicles) at a cost of $15 or can't be upgraded at all (500,000 vehicles). One customer sued for compensation since the hardware he purchased will become useless next year.
GM will get some negative PR from the lawsuit, but if the carriers that they work with no longer off digital networks, there's not much they can do. GM should offer to retrofit the older vehicles if customers sign a contract for two years which would cover the cost of the equipment. Change is hard.
Source: Detroit News
