OnStar Personal Calling Reaches Five-Hundred Million Minute Milestone
22 Februar 2005 - 5:00PM
PR Newswire (US)
OnStar Personal Calling Reaches Five-Hundred Million Minute
Milestone OnStar's Calling Service Exceeding Seven Million Calls a
Month DETROIT, Feb. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- OnStar by GM is widely
recognized for its safety, security, peace of mind service and also
offers hands-free voice- activated calling service for OnStar
subscribers. The OnStar Personal Calling system is embedded in the
vehicle, and is available just in case your cell phone is lost,
forgotten or has a low battery. The hands-free calling feature
provides a distinctive value proposition with no access fees,
roaming or long distance charges, and the minutes are purchased
through prepaid packages. "We're encouraged by the tremendous
growth we're seeing with the use of OnStar Personal Calling, and
the increase in subscriber call volume," said Tony Lent, Vice
President OnStar Wireless. "Our calling service helps reinforce the
commitment to the in-vehicle safety and security of our
subscribers, because OnStar Personal Calling allows subscribers to
keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road." Each
OnStar-equipped vehicle has its own phone number, and the number
can be used for both outgoing and incoming calls. On new
OnStar-equipped vehicles the first 30 minutes are complimentary and
good for two months from vehicle delivery. After those initial
complimentary minutes are used, additional Personal Calling minutes
can be purchased in prepaid packages, good for 12 months. When the
OnStar subscriber purchases a new OnStar-equipped vehicle, any
unused minutes can be transferred as well as the phone number to
their next OnStar-equipped vehicle. Over 1.5 million subscribers
have bought an OnStar Personal Calling minute package since the
service was launched in the fall of 1996. In addition, on a monthly
basis OnStar subscribers make over seven million calls a month with
OnStar Personal Calling. Another hands-free option that is offered
is the America's Choice Plan with OnStar. Verizon Wireless'
America's Choice Plan with OnStar lets subscribers use their
Verizon Wireless plan minutes and receive a single bill from
Verizon Wireless. With the America's Choice Plan subscribers can
make calls outside the vehicle using their Verizon Wireless hand
held phone and when making calls from inside the vehicle using the
embedded OnStar calling system. This plan is available in Verizon
Wireless markets and on most vehicles equipped with OnStar digital
technology. Subscribers must have both an OnStar subscription and
Verizon wireless contract. General Motors recently announced that
OnStar will be a standard feature for retail customers in the
United States and Canada, covering all segments and prices except
for some commercial vehicles. Only GM offers a full range of cars,
trucks and SUVs that provide safety protection before, during and
thanks to OnStar, after vehicle collisions. About OnStar OnStar, a
wholly owned subsidiary of General Motors, is the nation's leading
provider of in-vehicle safety, security and information services
using the Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite network and
wireless technology. OnStar is available on more than 50 GM models
for 2005. OnStar safety and security services include automatic
notification of air bag deployment, stolen vehicle location
assistance, emergency services, roadside assistance, remote door
unlock, and GM Goodwrench remote vehicle diagnostics. OnStar
Personal Calling allows drivers to make and receive hands-free,
voice-activated calls. More information about OnStar can be found
at http://www.onstar.com/ . DATASOURCE: OnStar CONTACT: Anne
Mittelstaedt of OnStar Communications, +1-313-667-0874, Web site:
http://media.gm.com/ http://www.gm.com/ http://www.onstar.com/ x
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