Does the 2005 model have the digital OnStar? I tried looking on the OnStar website and it was unclear. The FAQ stated SOME 2004 and MOST 2005 models have the Digital. It seems there are three types: Analog only, Dual Mode and All Digital. With the new for 2005 All In One antenna, I assume it is all digital. Does anyone know for sure? Thank you.

Yes, the '05 is digital. :cheers:

No that they have digital, how do we upgrade? My '03 is dual capable and I'd prefer the newer system. Anyone know?

No that they have digital, how do we upgrade? My '03 is dual capable and I'd prefer the newer system. Anyone know?
See this post:
http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=132844&postcount=4

There are apparently some misconceptions regarding analog vs. digital cellular service. The following applies for any kind of cellular telephone service whether it is Alltel or OnStar.

Digital service is one means by which the cellular services cram more channels into the space that the FCC has allocated. Digital service is also required for anything you might want to do on your cell phone that involves data rather than voice. Digital service has an advantage for customers in that the transmitter in the cell phone can operate at a lower power level than is required for analog communications and so the battery lasts longer. Battery life is, of course, not an issue with your OnStar service in your GM car. What is important is coverage. You can get a service connection in remote areas with analog that you can't get with digital. Cellular sevices such as Alltel and OnStar provide both cellular and analog to achieve the best coverage. As more cells are added, particularly in remote areas, the need for analog cell phone service decreases, and after a certain time the FCC will no longer require services that currently support analog to continue supporting it. In anticipation of this conversion to all digital, GM has eliminated the the fairly cumbersom and somewhat unsightly antenna that worked with both the analog and digital OnStar cellular service. The new antenna combines the satellite and digital cellular phone antennas into a single unit. However, coverage will not be as good with the digital-only equipped vehicles. After the FCC stops requiring analog support, that too will no longer be an issue.

So, don't be in a big hurry to get rid of your current analog/digital equipment in favor of digital-only. There is no benefit unless you simply can't stand the sight of the the separate, pre-2005 cellular antenna. One of these days, the US (like Europe already is) will probably be all GSM digital and cellular analog service will be relegated to the "do you remember when" catagory.

There are apparently some misconceptions regarding analog vs. digital cellular service. The following applies for any kind of cellular telephone service whether it is Alltel or OnStar.

Digital service is one means by which the cellular services cram more channels into the space that the FCC has allocated. Digital service is also required for anything you might want to do on your cell phone that involves data rather than voice. Digital service has an advantage for customers in that the transmitter in the cell phone can operate at a lower power level than is required for analog communications and so the battery lasts longer. Battery life is, of course, not an issue with your OnStar service in your GM car. What is important is coverage. You can get a service connection in remote areas with analog that you can't get with digital. Cellular sevices such as Alltel and OnStar provide both cellular and analog to achieve the best coverage. As more cells are added, particularly in remote areas, the need for analog cell phone service decreases, and after a certain time the FCC will no longer require services that currently support analog to continue supporting it. In anticipation of this conversion to all digital, GM has eliminated the the fairly cumbersom and somewhat unsightly antenna that worked with both the analog and digital OnStar cellular service. The new antenna combines the satellite and digital cellular phone antennas into a single unit. However, coverage will not be as good with the digital-only equipped vehicles. After the FCC stops requiring analog support, that too will no longer be an issue.

So, don't be in a big hurry to get rid of your current analog/digital equipment in favor of digital-only. There is no benefit unless you simply can't stand the sight of the the separate, pre-2005 cellular antenna. One of these days, the US (like Europe already is) will probably be all GSM digital and cellular analog service will be relegated to the "do you remember when" catagory.

Two things: 1) I think the question also relates to the question of whether it's the Gen 6 system or still Gen 5. The Gen 6 system is all digital, but it also is SOOO much better. And 2) I understand completely with the Analog vs. Digital, but the digital Cadillacs have MUCH better service at least around here...

Two things: 1) I think the question also relates to the question of whether it's the Gen 6 system or still Gen 5. The Gen 6 system is all digital, but it also is SOOO much better. And 2) I understand completely with the Analog vs. Digital, but the digital Cadillacs have MUCH better service at least around here...
I understand everything tedcmiller is saying. I still have the question- can we still keep our pre2005 dual mode systems and apply the combo antenna? It sounds like he is saying there may be signal loss in some places. I have driven around without the old style antenna boom attached and it still gets pretty good signal.

Questions
1- Can you still use the combo with pre 2005 system (ie 2004) and get descent signal?
2-how hard is it to swap the antennas and what is involved

Thanks
Vspeed

My interest in upgrading has nothing to do with quality of service. Rather I want the benefits of the new software such as giving the phone number all at once instead of saying each number one at a time.

Ken

The pinouts on the 05 box and the 04 box are the same :D