Is it possible to integrate a number already in existence and simply access it through the onstar capabilities of our trucks? Or do we need a separate number?

Thanks in advance guys!:)

I think you need a separate number for the truck, but if you have a share plan, you just add that number to that plan.

Tom

You would need to at least give up the phone to have the number on the OnStar or do what Tom said. You cannot activate the same phone number with two seperate ESN's and it is illegal to clone phones (same ESN and same Phone number).

After I saw someone mention this on the board yesterday, I started investigating the process, and I'll share that information with you guys. First, in order to save you time, this is what I'd suggest you do:

Contact OnStar (1-866-4-OnStar)
You need to authorize them to send your vehicle's OnStar information to Verizon. Verizon generally gets the information on the next business day.
Contact Verizon (*611)

You must contact them via telephone, I'll explain why a little bit farther down the post.
Second, from what I've been able to get from people I know at Verizon, this is the first integration of Verizon Wireless services with OnStar Services, and as such, it's got some flaws. The biggest one to note right now is that Verizon associates your entire account with OnStar, instead of just a single phone line.

According to my sources, once you've associated your account with OnStar, Verizon is given a huge amount of access to your vehicles OnStar systems, including the ability to activate and deactivate the OnStar Safety System / Feature. Quite naturally, they want to cover their ass and avoid lawsuits at all possible costs, so access to them is extremely restricted. Currently, there is only one small department that is trained and given access to accounts associated with OnStar, and they are only available via telephone. This may impact some of you in the following ways:

Any employee discounts that you may qualify for are forefit if you chose to do this.
Verizon Outlets are not allowed to create, convert, or otherwise manipulate accounts associated with OnStar.
You cannot change phones at a Verizon Outlet.
You cannot upgrade your plan at a Verizon Outlet.
You cannot obtain account informatin at a Verizon Outlet.
Verizon is in the process of modifying their system such that they can associate OnStar with just a single phone line on an account, instead of an entire account, which will take care of most of the problems I've outlined above. This is expected to be completed early to mid 2006.

And finally, to answer the questions asked, lakingslayer is correct, only one device is allowed per phone number. Unless you're planning on giving up your standard cell-phone and using that number for your truck, you'll need to get a new line added to your plan.

If you already have a share plan, the cost is $9.99 a month to add another number. If you don't, you might look into the America's Choice Plan with OnStar (http://www.vzwshop.com/OnStar/?page=faq), and see if you might want to just "upgrade" your plan to one of these.

Anyway, that's all I've got, hopefully it helps someone. :driver:

Thanks for the info, Akephalos. I should have been more specific in my reply, I meant what Lakinslayer said....the truck would be another line added to your share plan.

I guess I'd wait until 2006 to do this change, I don't want to lose my 22% UPS discount with Verizon.

Tom :D

You were specific enough, but I figured this was a good place to lay out all the caveats and benefits for anyone else who might be interested in doing this.

I'm going to go ahead and do this to my truck, even though I lose my 17% Sony discount, its just a lot more affordable than the pre-paid minutes than you get through GM / OnStar.

i should add that those of us with "old" analog 2004 and older vehicles with the analog systems are not eligible to do this, only with the digital systems is what I was told by the Onstar folks.......

I did this about 2 weeks ago. Verizon switched me over to an Onstar rep and the transaction was better than if I dealt with Verizon. I had to get my account changed because I have 5 phones and the limit for the family plan is 5. Onstar would have been 6. So they switched me over to a corporate account and the customer service is 10 times better with the rates being the same. I'm very happy so far...

I did a family plan a month ago and added the Onstar phone to it. I have had no problems at all.

I did this about 2 weeks ago. Verizon switched me over to an Onstar rep and the transaction was better than if I dealt with Verizon. I had to get my account changed because I have 5 phones and the limit for the family plan is 5. Onstar would have been 6. So they switched me over to a corporate account and the customer service is 10 times better with the rates being the same. I'm very happy so far...

When you say "rates being the same", did you lose any discounts you received from Verizon?

Tom :cool: