It’s been nearly five months since Verizon announced their plans to buy out Alltel, but they’ve finally leaped the last hurdle. Just minutes ago, the FCC signed off on the $28.1 billion dollar deal (Verizon is paying $5.9 billion, and assuming $22.2 billion of Alltel’s debt.)
The FCC’s stamp of approval doesn’t come without strings attached, however. Amongst other conditions, Verizon will be required to maintain any roaming agreements Alltel has with other carriers for at least four years. FCC Chairman Kevin Martin originally requested that roaming agreements would be honored for two years, and Verizon responded with the offer to honor them for four. This still wasn’t quite enough for some; though the vote passed 5-0, 2 of those who voted yes dissented, feeling that the roaming agreements should be required for at least seven years.
Before the merger, Verizon had roughly 70.8 million subscribers. With Alltel bringing around 13 million new subscribers to their door, this brings Verizon’s total up to approximately 83.8 million, dethroning AT&T (with 74.8 million) from the number one spot.
What does this mean to Verizon/Alltel customers? Well, “the network” just got a whole lot bigger – Alltel customers will soon have an additional 71 million people or so they can call without gobbling up their minutes. Beyond that, both groups gain access to the other’s device lineup, with Alltel customers now able to take advantage of Verizon’s bring-your-own-handset “Open Development” program.
What they really want though is the iPhone!
Anyone know if Alltel customers will be able to cancel contracts without penalty because of this deal?
I picked Alltel for a reason and don’t really want to be a Verizon customer. I’ve heard a lot of customer service horror stories.
Why do you need customer service if you know how to use a phone? The only time I have ever dealt with someone from Verizon was when I actually went to the store, just to get my handset activated. Go to the store to ask your questions, never call.
There is more to customer service than tech support.
Also, were I’m originally from there aren’t corporate stores for Alltel or Verizon just one of those wireless retailer who couldn’t (or wouldn’t) deal with billing or plan feature issues directly so customer service over the phone was important me.
Is Alltel going to keep their name or will they and all of the Alltel customers take the Verizon name?
No Alltel will Change their name to Verizon wireless ,that includes all stores etc…your contract and features will be honored for the duration of your Alltel contract agreement and then you will if you choose to continue have a Verizon contract for 1 or 2 years ,the Alltel MY CIRCLE is for the duration of your Alltel contract as well. If Verizon will or if Verizon will adopt the My circle is a big IF right now ,after your contract ends with Alltel you will have to go to a Verizon one there is no choice in that matter ,Alltel plans will no longer exsist. the full effects of Verizon will take some time as they just got final approval as you see above, it can take as long as 14 months to as little as 3 to 6 months only time will tell.
On another note you will features of Verizon in the coming months such as the EVERY TWO that means you get a new phone every tow years discounted at 100 to 50 dollars. guidlines and restrictions reply to that, got to Verizons website for more info. and several other features, Yes verizon’s plans are more costly but that can change they do have 83.8 million customers and growing. So they do have them money to do it ,if they are kind enough.There will be alot of upset people including myself if Verizon does not keep the my circle or invent something like again it is just a promo and can be ended at anytime Alltel has said. and lower the cost of the plans.
Canceling contract before the full Verizon switch over mmmmmmm. probably not I know when the Cingular AT&T merger happened they let customers out ,it is at the sole discretion of ALLTEL and Verizon.
Iphone IS MORE HYPE than it’s worth. I HAD ONE when I was with AT&T at one time I think it junk to tell the truth, you got the VUE,THE NEW ONE THAT BLACKBERRY JUST RELEASED AS WELL,and several others FOR verizon and alltel that work so much better and have a better op system HTC makes another good one that ALLTEL just came out with the TOUCH DIAMOND ,and THE SAMSUNG DELVE along With the soon to come to ALLTEL OR verizon the HTC DIAMOND PRO has a pull out keyboard ,sprint has it currently.
blackberry storm for verizon is I believe the new one
Great to hear FCC approved the deal. Clearwire and Sprint have been working on this for some time and at some point in time they dropped the deal but I’m glad to hear WiMAX will finally go nation wide.
— http://www.WiMAXED.com
I’ve had Verizon for the past 10 or so years. Customer service always goes out of their way to help customers. I have talked a lot of my friends into going with Verizon just by showing them our network. Its huge. And we have awesome phones in my opinion. The reps at the stores are always very helpful too. I love Verizon.
DEATH TO ALLHELL!!!!! ABOUT TIME THEY GO AWAY!!!!!
ROFL .. I agree.
I started with Kansas Cellular back in 1989.
Alltel bought them out and that is when the problems started. An Alltel rep tried to tell me I was someplace I never was. It cost them a long time customer in 2005. I switched to Verizon. They seem to have reps that do care (always exception to the rule) about your problem.
Does anyone know when they will actually turn the switch?
dude i went to alltell to avoid ever having to do anything with verizon again. I hate them and tell every one i know not to go with them. If i had known they were buying them out i guarantee would have chosen any other company. the last company i was with was a little company called comnet they worked great verizon bought them out and all the sudden i didnt have any coverage. they can kiss my @$$