Review by DemyDame 
member for 3.8 years, 78 visits, last login: 17 days ago
updated 1.8 years ago
 Four Oaks,Johnston,NC
 $60 per month- (24 month contract)
 "This service was excellent in my area pre-merger." "Post merger signal deteriorated, and CSR/Tech Support would give me contradicting information." "I had to cancel service because signal became none existent after 4G outage."
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I purchased the Alltel unlimited plan for $59.99/month back in 2008 because the sales associate said that people in my area (rural area) - or down my street, were using the service. She actually guaranteed that it would work. Well, with the help of an amp and antenna, it did (it worked before those, but I still needed more strength)! I had the UM 150 at the time. Everything was up and running smoothly, and I loved it! After some months of using Hughesnet Satellite Internet and paying a boat load, not to mention I couldn't do my work from home job that I had at the time with it, Alltel was a lifesaver.
Then the merger with Verizon Wireless happened, my signal began going downhill fast. I got a stronger amp, and purchased antennas, one being a grid antenna. I even exchanged my UM150 for the EC168. The signal got weaker and weaker still. I talked with CSRs, Tech Support, even Executive Relations. ER said I was in a fringe area. CSRs and Tech Support were not on the same page with their answers. Some said I was in a roaming area, some said I was in a no coverage area, and some said I was in coverage area. I tried to stick it out because I had a job I needed to work. I dealt with my work applications timing out or disconnecting. I got updated PRLs (until my device stopped taking them - Tech Support said that was because I was using an Alltel device, and when they send out updates, they go from the Verizon Wireless towers/network, so I wouldn't get them) I even tried Verizon devices, but the signals were very weak to non existent.
Then the 4G outage hit, and while I used 3G, my service went out. I didn't know there was a 4G outage until I got on dial up and saw the news headlines. The CSR that I talked to when my service went out didn't mention an outage.
My service/already weakened signal never returned, and nothing the CSRs and Tech Support did worked. I had to cancel service.
I am currently using dialup, as no other wireless/cellular company provides wireless broadband coverage in my area. Satellite is not an option, and neither is ISDN.
I don't know if there is a lesson to be learned here. I don't know if I should have cancelled earlier or not. However, I do know this: Just because the CSRs, the wireless providers, or whomever say that service will be better in your area because of a merger of companies, doesn't mean that service will be better. The company is saying that to ease your fears and hopefully try to get you into one of their plans. So pre-merger: Great, post-merger: Horrible.
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