Verizon buys Alltel Wireless, becomes biggest carrier
- Thread starter uli2000
- Start date
No, I hate both the evil red empire (VZW) and the evil blue empire (AT&T). Since when has a lack of competition been healthy for consumers? Alltel's lasting legacy will be it's My Circle Program, since copied by Tmobile (my faves) and Sprint (not sure what they call theirs). Now, with the takeover, Ill lose 1000-3000 free minutes/month, which is what me and my wife usually use in My Circle minutes. Do you think VZW is gonna keep it around? Judging by the Conneticut market VZW bought from Alltel earlier this year, it will be the first thing they get rid of. Alltel was also the last carrier to offer truly unlimited data, not 5gb as 'unlimited'. Of all the cell phone companies Ive used in the last 10 years, Alltel has been the only one that not only has worked everywhere I go (including some places VZW doesnt work), but has had incredible customer service. RIP Alltel.
frostedflakes
Diamond Member
- Mar 1, 2005
- 7,925
- 1
- 81
As a big Alltel data user, I'm not looking forward to the 5GB/mo cap that will likely be implemented. I also hope Verizon plans to continue focusing on rural high-speed data development, as Alltel has been excellent in this regard. Fortunately, I've read most of the equipment is already installed for the rev. A rollout, it's just a matter of turning it on. With Verizon controlling the reigns, though, I wouldn't be surprised if it ends up being a long time before small/medium-sized cities see rev. B or whatever the next generation wireless standard is.
well although verizon may not keep my circle around you do have to remember that they have unlimited in network calling and since im assuming alltel customers will be in the verizon network now it means more free calls for us
Well, m2m calling is all good and fine if everyone you call is on Verizon, but I think 2 people I know are on Verizon. We were using 1k-3k minutes/month calling family for free w/ my circle. Neither my parents nor my wifes parents are are Verizon, do you expect me to make them all get Verizon so my wife can keep talking to them? Or will we just have to call everybody at midnight because Im on the west coast and they are back east, and unlimited nights dont start untill 9pm? Since everyone is cool with monopolies/oligopies, how about we combine all the oil companies, grocery stores, retail stores, and utilites. Then there wont be any of that pesky competition to keep prices low and service standards up.
destrekor
Lifer
- Nov 18, 2005
- 28,799
- 359
- 126
Is everyone you know on Alltel? Then no one has to change. You act like Verizon is buying and then completely shutting down Alltel, or that they will continue to operate in a way that Alltel customers aren't under the same roof as Verizon customers. If they goes that route, then I'd understand the reaction, but that'd be the worst possible move by Verizon.
Your logic is so screwy in all your posts in this thread.
Basically, because you seem to have a hatred for all things Verizon, because of this deal, you want to ditch the coverage you have now, just because it'll be associated with Verizon? Wow, pathetic.
Especially, if as you say, Alltel and Verizon are the only carries available in your area.
So.. you want to ditch your coverage? Verizon buying Alltel now means it'll have the absolutely best coverage possible in the US, no ifs ands or buts. It will be the best possible coverage at the moment, and Verizon is constantly expanding its coverage, not to mention rampantly increasing EV-DO coverage, especially the higher speed Rev A coverage.
VZW has great customer service. Indeed, Alltel was renowned for fringe coverage. But its the same CDMA tech as VZW, so the towers will stay, so basically, the coverage you have will stay the same, and be even greater, unless the tower coverage isn't truly merged as one network. VZW and Alltel had an agreement to allow roaming on the other carrier's towers, but only when your phone had absolutely no signal to your network. So if you had a faint 1 bar from VZW, you wouldn't switch to a stronger Alltel tower. Hopefully now that Alltel will be under VZW, the towers will be all the same network and all customers will have the strongest reception possible. This would mean truly the greatest and strongest coverage.
+
bruceb
Diamond Member
- Aug 20, 2004
- 8,874
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They may both be CMDA, but Verizon will be doing some upgrades to the equipment
at the old Alltel towers to improve both reception and also to add EVDO data services
which the old Alltel gear may not be able to support. And it is likely that anyone on the
Alltel network may need their phone Firmware updated to function properly on the Verizon
cellular network. That is both good and bad, as some users say the Alltel UI is better, more
user friendly and not as crippled, feature wise, as the Verizon UI is. Verizon recently has
listened to complaints from customers and is making more UI features available without
the need to "hack the files" (easy to do, as I made multiple changes to my V3M on Verizon
to restore all of the crippled functions to it)
at the old Alltel towers to improve both reception and also to add EVDO data services
which the old Alltel gear may not be able to support. And it is likely that anyone on the
Alltel network may need their phone Firmware updated to function properly on the Verizon
cellular network. That is both good and bad, as some users say the Alltel UI is better, more
user friendly and not as crippled, feature wise, as the Verizon UI is. Verizon recently has
listened to complaints from customers and is making more UI features available without
the need to "hack the files" (easy to do, as I made multiple changes to my V3M on Verizon
to restore all of the crippled functions to it)
I have used the alltel prepaid several times, and I like the features you have with it. Does anyone know what they are planning to do with those?
http://www.thestreet.com/story...&cm_cat=FREE&cm_ite=NA
The Federal Communications Commission delayed the start of its Election Day meeting on Tuesday as regulators hammered out a conditional approval for Verizon's (VZ Quote - Cramer on VZ - Stock Picks) acquisition of Alltel.
According to a report by the Associated Press, the FCC is attaching several conditions to the deal, including a requirement that Verizon Wireless, a joint venture of Verizon and Vodafone(VOD Quote - Cramer on VOD - Stock Picks), honor Alltel's existing roaming agreements for four years. Previously, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said he was in favor of requiring Verizon to keep existing roaming agreements intact for two years.
Last week, the Department of Justice approved the deal with certain terms, including the shedding of many local markets in 22 states.
In June, Verizon Wireless said it would buy privately held Alltel and its 13 million subscribers for about $5.9 billion. On the basis of Alltel's projected net debt at closing of $22.2 billion, the total value of the transaction is $28.1 billion.
"We certainly look forward to seeing and reviewing the FCC order," Verizon spokesperson Robin Nicol told TheStreet.com. "This approval is another critical step in the process of completing this transaction. With the FCC and the DOJ approval, we're now working to complete the final steps of the government approval process."
Nicol said Verizon was continuing to complete the transaction as soon as it would be practical.
Meanwhile, the AP reports the FCC has opened an investigation into the pricing policies of major cable operators and Verizon.
The agency wants to ensure that customers are being treated fairly, Martin said in an interview with the AP.
The FCC wrote to Verizon and 11 cable companies, such as Comcast(CMCSA Quote - Cramer on CMCSA - Stock Picks), Cablevision(CVC Quote - Cramer on CVC - Stock Picks), and Time Warner Cable(TWC Quote - Cramer on TWC - Stock Picks), last month about their practice of moving analog channels into digital tiers to free up bandwidth for other uses, such as high-definition channels. Verizon offers pay-TV through its FiOS service.
To watch channels that have been moved, subscribers to analog service must either subscribe to a more expensive digital tier, rent a digital set-top box or use an adapter, which service providers are starting to offer for free, according to the AP.
In addition to the Verizon/Alltel deal, FCC commissioners also approved the transfer of licenses in the joint venture between Sprint Nextel (S Quote - Cramer on S - Stock Picks) and Clearwire (CLWR Quote - Cramer on CLWR - Stock Picks). The commission is also set to rule on the unlicensed operation of low-power devices in the broadcast television spectrum known as "white space."
Well, goodbye Alltel. They got DOJ approval a couple of weeks ago and now the FCC has signed off. And to top it off, I am in one of the areas that is being divested, so instead of the devil I know (VZW), it will be the devil I dont know (whoever buys the network). since 99.9% of my calls are to/from work, if work wont issue me a phone, Ill just get a prepaid phone and have my wife sign up for her own plan with VZW or whoever picks up the alltel network in this area.
The Federal Communications Commission delayed the start of its Election Day meeting on Tuesday as regulators hammered out a conditional approval for Verizon's (VZ Quote - Cramer on VZ - Stock Picks) acquisition of Alltel.
According to a report by the Associated Press, the FCC is attaching several conditions to the deal, including a requirement that Verizon Wireless, a joint venture of Verizon and Vodafone(VOD Quote - Cramer on VOD - Stock Picks), honor Alltel's existing roaming agreements for four years. Previously, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said he was in favor of requiring Verizon to keep existing roaming agreements intact for two years.
Last week, the Department of Justice approved the deal with certain terms, including the shedding of many local markets in 22 states.
In June, Verizon Wireless said it would buy privately held Alltel and its 13 million subscribers for about $5.9 billion. On the basis of Alltel's projected net debt at closing of $22.2 billion, the total value of the transaction is $28.1 billion.
"We certainly look forward to seeing and reviewing the FCC order," Verizon spokesperson Robin Nicol told TheStreet.com. "This approval is another critical step in the process of completing this transaction. With the FCC and the DOJ approval, we're now working to complete the final steps of the government approval process."
Nicol said Verizon was continuing to complete the transaction as soon as it would be practical.
Meanwhile, the AP reports the FCC has opened an investigation into the pricing policies of major cable operators and Verizon.
The agency wants to ensure that customers are being treated fairly, Martin said in an interview with the AP.
The FCC wrote to Verizon and 11 cable companies, such as Comcast(CMCSA Quote - Cramer on CMCSA - Stock Picks), Cablevision(CVC Quote - Cramer on CVC - Stock Picks), and Time Warner Cable(TWC Quote - Cramer on TWC - Stock Picks), last month about their practice of moving analog channels into digital tiers to free up bandwidth for other uses, such as high-definition channels. Verizon offers pay-TV through its FiOS service.
To watch channels that have been moved, subscribers to analog service must either subscribe to a more expensive digital tier, rent a digital set-top box or use an adapter, which service providers are starting to offer for free, according to the AP.
In addition to the Verizon/Alltel deal, FCC commissioners also approved the transfer of licenses in the joint venture between Sprint Nextel (S Quote - Cramer on S - Stock Picks) and Clearwire (CLWR Quote - Cramer on CLWR - Stock Picks). The commission is also set to rule on the unlicensed operation of low-power devices in the broadcast television spectrum known as "white space."
Well, goodbye Alltel. They got DOJ approval a couple of weeks ago and now the FCC has signed off. And to top it off, I am in one of the areas that is being divested, so instead of the devil I know (VZW), it will be the devil I dont know (whoever buys the network). since 99.9% of my calls are to/from work, if work wont issue me a phone, Ill just get a prepaid phone and have my wife sign up for her own plan with VZW or whoever picks up the alltel network in this area.
I was hoping the deal would fall thru, even though I will get a 19% discount with Verizon.
My Circle ruled..
My Circle ruled..
boomhower
Diamond Member
- Sep 13, 2007
- 7,228
- 19
- 81
I have to agree with the OP and this is a bad deal for consumers. Alltel is the has the best coverage in the area here so they are very popular and most people I know are not looking forward to this. You can bet your ass My Circle will be gone. Yeah m2m is nice and will alleviate the pain a little but it is far from the same. For what ever reason Verizon does not even have a retail location here other than Walmart, this is a town of 12,000 people so its not like mayberry. I went with Sprint which has poorer coverage(bit still acceptable) for two reasons: #1 is SERO, and #2 is non-crippled phones. Verizon has a bad habit of downgrading the hardware in their smartphones and then locking down the software. No thanks.
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