OnStar will warn of traffic jams.

Byline: Lawrence Ulrich

Beginning early next year, General Motors Corp. will offer personalized, location-based traffic reports for subscribers to its OnStar Virtual Advisor service, OnStar officials announced Monday.

Drivers linked to OnStar's satellite-based system will be able to use voice commands to access spoken reports on traffic jams, accidents and other delays, through an alliance with Etak Inc. and Metro Networks.

The service will be available in Northeast states early next year and will roll out nationwide during the first three months of 2001. OnStar officials did not disclose financial terms of the deal or what consumers might expect to …