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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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Review by channelzero0
member for 4.4 years, 30 visits, last login: 2.1 years ago
updated 2.6 years ago
- Marshall,Saline,MO
- $60 per month
- (24 month contract)
 about 1 days- "Large 3G Netwrk, No 5 GB Cap, 200ms Ping,"
- "Not as cheap as T-Mobile Wireless. Would have gotten T-Mobile if it was faster."
- "Clear winner against Satillite and Dial Up. Has both good speed and ping."
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Recently moved to an area that did not have DSL access. So I tried to get a local wireless hookup where I would have to mount a antenna facing towards the nearest town's water tower but they told me the signal was not good enough. So I was dreading the idea of having to go with Wildblue or Hughsnet after the bad reviews I had read before.
So I decided to take a step back into 1995 and start using dial up, the same service I thought I would never have to deal again. $23 dollars for the dial up service and $30 for the phone connection was not my idea of a great deal. So I looked up Alltel and found them to be the best deal. Three days later I had my USB wireless modem and after about 10 mins of setup I was up and running. I live in an area surrounded by EVDO (3G) so I have a very fast connection considering it is going through a cell phone tower. About 1000-500kb down and 300-100kb upload. For me this was a great upgrade.
$53(Dialup) vs $60(Wireless) This was a no brainier.
I'll update later on my service.
Update... I have downloaded like a madman, in the area of 200mb-2gb everyday but now have slowed down a great deal just because I have finally reached the end of the internet and so have run out of things to download. But I am really surprised they did not kick me during my binge downloads.
My only problem with with Alltel is that it trys it hardest to connect to 1x which would be fine with me but I have never been able to download from 1x. So if the stars are in the wrong place the modem will continually try to connect to 1x and then back to RA. This is my only problem with Alltel which is not that bad because I do not need to download much anymore.
Hope This Helps..
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 Review by Airborne29th
member for 4.5 years, 228 visits, last login: 290 days ago
updated 3.6 years ago
- Staunton,Staunton City,VA
- $60 per month
- (24 month contract)
- about 1 days
- "High(er) speed internet option besides Satellite"
- "Fluxuates speed often, could be due to maybe needing an antenna"
- "Since Merger, its crap.... Thanks Verizon for killing my service..."
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UPDATE: Well since the Verizon Merger here, my internet is non existant. They decided that I did not need the towers that were feeding my beautiful EV-RA signal. Up until a month ago it was great! Was getting promised speeds and nothing to complain about. But then it hit, Verizon no longer roams on sprint, so I lost my connection, now im down to 1X, if that.. called into tech support which has been pretty good, except for giving followup calls... I need to call them back now, so I can cancel the service and get out of this contract.. I had one great year with them and it sucks to lose it, because now I have to goto either Sprint's 5gig cap or lower speed Ntelos Wireless Broadband, which still works because they roam on sprint... so thats my review.. its great unless they drop you...
Did a lot of researching for an alternative to dialup and DIDNOT want to go satellite after reading all the FAP woes and lag times and everything else, have Alltel for phone service and no complaints, my friend brought over his Verizon EVDO card one day and it connected but at 1x speeds, so not real fun. At that point I thought that I would end up having to go the route of Satellite. Tried my dad's sprint card as well, couldnt even get a signal.
Began reading on here and another EVDO forum about services and did not even know about Alltel's. I figured since Verizon could not work why would they? But checked around and even checked some maps and saw that the DO line ended almost a few hundred feet from my house, so i figured with a 15day trial whats to lose? I went and took my laptop with me to connect there in store right on the spot. And after the activation, it instantly took hold! Speeds were ok but better than dialup!!
Took it home with it on along the way all the way to my house, saw it drop out twice and began to worry, took it inside and sat down. looked at the screen I was getting DO!!!! checked the speed and was a constant 800kb+ have had it up for about 2 months now and havent had too many problems. Had to update to knew PRL at one time because it kept dropping to 1X. Have picked up RA at some points but its not very strong and seems slower DL than with DO, UL is a lot better though. Took it everywhere I go. Even to VA Beach and up to DC. Picked up RA there but did not see the 1500+ speeds that most users get just on DO... not sure what the issue is there, called Alltel and was told that 800 is the average and burst to 2000 are GREAT if you can get them.... Doesnt make sence when their promoting a 3.6mb connection......oh well hopefully I can get a better WISP or DSL or something sometime soon...
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Review by elctronfairy
member for 3.7 years, 56 visits, last login: 3 years ago
lodged 3.6 years ago
- Whitehall,Jefferson,MT
- $60 per month
- (12 month contract)
- about 3 days
- "No copper required"
- "Speed is inconsistent"
- "Not bad considering the options"
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We have no phone service or cable TV at our new rural home, so the only internet options involve some sort of radio link. There are a couple of local home-experimenter types that have terrestrial microwave or 900Mhz links they'll sell ya, but neither seem to focus on customer service. Satellite internet is an option, but their terms (like throttling and monthly maximums) didn't sound like a good match for us.
Alltel's EVDO promised (like everybody else) more BW than they deliver, but it's not bad. . . usually. Odd though, that after long connect times (like overnight) the throughput drops to less than 100k. It can generally be restored by disconnecting from the Alltel network and reconnecting. Wassup with that?
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Review by shaw3
member for 4.1 years, 69 visits, last login: 3 years ago
lodged 3.6 years ago
- Union Bay,BC
- Contract price not specified.
- "Fast Speeds"
- "Lame PTR Records"
- "Good Overall Performance"
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Overall Alltel Wireless has been extremly good at 1.5 MBS download speeds which is faster than almost any of the 3G networks that I know of. While hosting »wolfpack.kevinkatovic.com/ on my IPHONE and talking to 3 friends on alltels three-way calling I seem to have reset the entire internet causing the biggest outage known to man.
I appologize as I never knew hosting websites on iphones voided the TOS with Alltel's wireless service.
Thanks!
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Review by pioneer56
member for 5.1 years, 1477 visits, last login: a few hours ago
updated 3.7 years ago
- Michigan
- $60 per month
- (24 month contract)
- about 1 days
- "Better than dialup and Hughesnet"
- "Inconsitant speeds and slow downs in the evening"
- "I am staying with it, hopping the merger comes soon!"
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I like it when it is working about 80 % of the time. The merger isn't helping that out. There are the expected slowdowns during peak hours that aren't too bad now that they upgraded to Rev. A. I have great signal reception with the tower just over a mile down the road. Better than Hughesnet any day of the week and dialup, well that is just a nightmare from the past.
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Review by sailboattrip
member for 4 years, 139 visits, last login: 3.3 years ago
lodged 3.8 years ago
- Cadillac,Wexford,MI
- Contract price not specified.
- "unlimited data, close location of corporate store"
- "rev A awful speeds"
- "its the only option available, but consistent speeds much lower than rev A supposed to be"
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This is a review of Alltel internet data services using a data card in a desktop. The unlimited internet data is wonderul, but Alltel wireless falls short on upload and download speeds. I often have 300KPS download and 150KPS upload. Normal rev A speeds are 700KPS to 1/5MB download and 400 to 800KPS upload. Various forums confirm in my area, others are experiencing the same issues. The Verizon systems are faster but they cap data at 5GB a month which I reach well before months end. A big negative is both local store reps and tech support don't say much about what is going on. This was experienced as they introduced rev A into the area and began fine tuning it. They state they are protecting in that they dont want to make promises that may not happen on time, but this company should communicate much better with clients on what is happening. All in all its my only choice in my rural area, but if I other choices, I would take them
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Review by MikeArsenal
member for 12.5 years, 75 visits, last login: 3.6 years ago
lodged 3.9 years ago
- Summerville,Dorchester,SC
- $90 per month
- (24 month contract)
- about 1 days
- "Strong service, no caps (yet)"
- ""broadband" speeds are pretty low (i.e., 400/100)"
- "A great choice for Internet everywhere"
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For a variety of reasons (i.e., transience) cellular wireless was really my only option. Alltel delivers on the promise, though, providing me Internet pretty much everywhere. They don't sell wireless broadband by speed, as far as I know, but by minutes/features packages; mine is described as "MyCircle10 Smart Pack 500" and runs about $100/month with all fees and taxes for 500 minutes, unlimited Internet with tethering, unlimited text, voice mail, 7-7 unlimited nights and weekends, unlimited mobile-to-mobile, etc.
My tested speeds average around 400Kbps down and 100Kbps up. It's not blazing fast, but is plenty fast enough for Netflix and other streaming audio and video.
My hardware is a Palm 755p tethered to an old 3GHz Toshiba Satellite laptop running Vista, which just goes to show that a decent mobile broadband experience doesn't require the latest/greatest in hardware. When I bought the phone last October it literally took me minutes to tether and start surfing. That the 755p lets me surf and email when I am away from my laptop makes this the best of all worlds.
I hasten to add that Alltel's customer service, in my experience, is stellar. Calls to customer service prove the staff generally knowledgeable, and they are quick to kick me up to senior techs if I have difficult questions. Of course, I am generally both polite and knowledgeable, so I may unduly influence these interactions. Feel free to try this method.
Disclaimer: I've been an Alltel customer for ~13 years, a point for which they consistently thank me when I call with questions, and I am very happy with their products and services. Your mileage may vary.
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Review by jfkmetz
member for 11.3 years, 75 visits, last login: 2.4 years ago
lodged 3.9 years ago
- Durham,Durham,NC
- $63 per month
- (24 month contract)
- about 3 days
- "Last carrier with unlimited broadband; roams to Sprint & Verizon"
- "Contract states no VoIP or webcam video"
- "Best all-around pick for WLAN broadband"
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Using Alltel WLAN unlimited broadband. Usually tests 600Kb up & 350Kb down. Ordering was painless. Equipment was free, activation $25 one-time, received a $100 rebate, i.e. $75 net cash payment to establish service with Alltel - not bad! Provided with UM175 USB EVDO Rev-A adapter from UTStarcom which works well, has external antenna connector but have not needed to use an external antenna yet. Alltel WLAN roams to Verizon and Sprint which provides excellent coverage anywhere there is CDMA cell coverage.
If Alltel adopts the 5GB monthly cap, that will change the contract, and I can depart without a termination fee if I choose. Overall, EVDO Rev-A is not the fastest bullet on the block, but it does the job, and maintains a connection through cell handoffs very nicely. Alltel contract states that their kopz will come after you for using VoIP or webcam video. Don't know if other contracts have such a restriction.
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 Review by hdman
member for 9.4 years, 3030 visits, last login: a few hours ago
updated 3.9 years ago
- Appleton,Outagamie,WI
- $59 per month
- (24 month contract)
- about 13 days
- "VERY happy that Alltel took the lead by providing EVDO to rural areas"
- "The standard Alltel sales people and tech support know NOTHING about EVDO"
- "If you are a techie, and can set up your own router, this is a great last mile choice!"
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It was a joke getting started in EVDO. I had WildBlue for over 2 years, and truly did love it. However, EVDO became available to me and I jumped at the faster speeds, no limits, and minimal latency.
The joke was dealing with Alltel sales people who sell cards, and even sell the Kyocera KR1 router. They assume that if you can get the card connected to the router, you are all set......WRONG.
Anyway, I took the task in my own hands, did a ton of research, and paired the 5750 card with the LinkSys (Sprint) router. It all works GREAT!!!
I do like the speed and flexibility of EVDO, thats for sure. This is our only internet connection at our home and we serve it up to 3-4 PC's. It ROCKS!!!!
Thanks Alltel!
HDMan
UPDATE 1-16-08
Just added a Cyfre amplifier last night, and WOW what an improvement. My local sales guy did a great job this time, so I am bumping up their pre-sales score and the service is not disconnecting at all. Thus, I bumped up the service score as well. For now, all is going GREAT with Alltel!! - HDMan
UPDATE: 9-24-08
All is still well, but, do NOT use the LinkSys router. I bought the new KR2 router from Kyocera and it ROCKS. 3 weeks, no drops, faster, etc.
UPDATE: 5-26-09
I sure wish I knew what Verizon was doing with Alltel. My speeds and connection strength have gone below dial up. Right now, there is a new, cheaper provider but Alltel won't let me out of my contract. When they do....I am GONE...
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