 antonio010
join:2002-11-24 | Wow Now, this is unexpected. I had always thought Alltel would be an acquisition targeted by Sprint. | |
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Tel
join:2001-10-12
Mauldin, SC
 ·AT&T Southeast
| Re: Wow As a long time user of Alltel, a former customer of Verizon, and an employee of AT&T, I hate to see it. I was never happy with Verizon's service and I give up the employee discount with AT&T because of their coverage in my area. I have been very happy with every aspect of my Alltel service.
My son works for Alltel and I can't wait to get his reaction on this although I'm thinking it won't be a good reaction...LOL | |
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notony
@rcn.com
| said by antonio010  :Now, this is unexpected. I had always thought Alltel would be an acquisition targeted by Sprint. ummm no...i guess you're unaware of sprint's never ending troubles: drop in valuation since nextel aquisitions, continued losses of $ and customers, new CEO, endless troble integrating nextel division, spectrum reallocation as part of deal with fcc. their hands are tied now sir. | |
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GlenQuagmire
Giggidy Giggidy Giggidy Goo
Premium
join:2004-02-16
Grand Rapids, MI | Re: Wow I don't think any other wireless carrier whats to touch the CDMA / IDEN cluster f#$%. Verizon wants to make money not dump it into a bottomless pit. | |
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| | | patcat88
join:2002-04-05
Jamaica, NY
| Re: Wow said by GlenQuagmire :the CDMA / IDEN cluster f#$%. Thats dead, Sprint will never release another CDMA/IDEN hybrid phone, and Sprint says they were a mistake. Even if Qchat never comes out, the CDMA part is still attractive, Nextel can be sold off to an equity firm. | |
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| | | | EPS
join:2008-02-13
Hingham, MA
| Re: Wow The problem is the hybrids are propping up the CDMA side. Every single situation I know of with people having hybrid phones are former Nextel users who have the hybrid for the iDEN features, but are counted as CDMA customers by Sprint's metrics- without them the CDMA-side doesn't look so hot. (and iDEN looks a bit better) | |
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SuperCPA
Premium
join:2002-11-28
Dayton, OH | Amen. | |
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NOCMan
Verizon Fios User
Premium
join:2004-09-30
Flower Mound, TX
| I am not surprised. Verizon and AT&T face the real possibility that T-Mobile would buy Sprint thus creating the the new largest cellular carrier with Verizon and AT&T being ranked 2 & 3 respectively.
This would ensure Verizon maintains the top spot. Still Verizon has serious issues with their phone lineup. They've been in denial about the iPhone since it has come out and refuse to carry the Nokia N95 CDMA version which is a good technical competitor to the iPhone. With the new software and dev kit Verizon and other carriers will be faced with teh hard decision on what to do. Verizon's open phone initiative does not provide any of the features the iPhone/iTunes and it's soon business features.
Having just won the C block I'm trying to fathom how they have 27 billion to just purchase this company. I would more expect that Vodaphone would buyout Verizon Wireless outright since the valuation of the dollar makes them a bargain compared to 3 years ago when the rumors reached their peak.
Of course Verizon Landline would die a slow death of that were to happen without Verizon Wireless supplementing their lack of income. Perhaps Vodaphone may consider gaining the controlling stake and allow the merger to happen with Alltel which would give them the largest global LTE footprint of any of the wireless carriers. They would be in a great situation go get concessions from Apple to allow them access to the other 1/3 of the US Market. That is something that Apple needs badly to accelerate their US sales numbers. | |
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| | EPS
join:2008-02-13
Hingham, MA
| Re: Wow Vodafone has tried to get control, but Verizon won't give it up. There was a recent revolt by Vodafone's shareholders who actually want to ditch VZW altogether. Though it looks good on paper, in the past few years VZW has actually spent its profits on paying down its debt and not as dividends to the company's owners- no money going to VZ or VOD.
Vodafone's president recently said they expect VZW to start paying dividends again soon, since they paid off the vast majority of their pre-700MHz debt. However, with the 700MHz auction and now this acquisition, they'll have a lot of debt again... I think this may finally cause VOD to take action.
Note that while on paper VOD is a much larger company than VZ, they'd probably run into a lot of trouble trying to buy-out VZ (as has been rumored, and then sell off VZ landline to some mysterious FiOS-killing private equity firm) due to trouble in the credit markets, and Vodafone's own reputation with bad acquisitions (see Mannesmann)- they posted the largest loss in British corporate history in 2007.
Now, this doesn't necessarily mean that VZW becomes 100% VZ- the Vodafone shareholders I mentioned earlier actually wanted to spin off the 45% of VZW to the company's shareholders, which would essentially turn VZW into a publicly traded company, albeit one controlled by another publicly traded company. | |
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| | patcat88
join:2002-04-05
Jamaica, NY | Vodafone owns 49%, not majority. Verizon will never sell its quadruple play baby. | |
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KrK
Heavy Artillery For The Little Guy
Premium
join:2000-01-17
Tulsa, OK | More consolidation in market, elimination of competition.... | |
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HateVZWireless
@cox.net | Gee, I loved Alltel for 5 years. Guess I have to find a new carrier. Have to wait and see if they screw up my service since I'm no longer in a contract. | |
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Jame
@rr.com |  Re: Wow
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en102
Canadian, eh?
join:2001-01-26
Valencia, CA
 ·RoadRunner Cable
·DSL EXTREME
| For Verizon Wireless, this may be a good thing 1. Verizon and Alltel are CDMA 1x/EVDO
2. Verizon could use some more rural coverage, esepcially since Qwest is now using Verizon Wireless for service
3. Alltel runs a GSM network for roamers - this could be a good bit of leverage for squashing AT&T/T-Mobile for roaming, or a cash cow on roaming fees.
4. Cash cow on Sprint for roaming, or run Sprint into the ground, as their network would diminish significantly.
Verizon Wireless did just purchase a lot of spectrum in the AWS auctions, so do they really 'need' this ?
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Canada = Hollywood North | |
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NOCMan
Verizon Fios User
Premium
join:2004-09-30
Flower Mound, TX | Re: For Verizon Wireless, this may be a good thing Verizon will have to honor all roaming agreements until their expiration.
Plus other companies are likely to put bids in to drive up the costs. | |
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en102
Canadian, eh?
join:2001-01-26
Valencia, CA | Re: For Verizon Wireless, this may be a good thing Alltel is a private company, owned by an equity firm...they can do what ever they feel. Alltel isn't exactly publicly listed as for sale.
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Canada = Hollywood North | |
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| hottboiinnc
ME
join:2003-10-15
Cleveland, OH
·Time Warner Cable
·buckeye cable
| Plus VZW customers may get the MyCircle which would be a great thing for VZ Customers. VZW has some nice phones that Alltel won't carry or can't due to the agreement with LG on the EnV and the EnV2.
On the other hand VZW will be gaining a lot more money from Sprint when the renew for their contracts come up with Alltel. Which aren't prolly for a while now. | |
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tc1uscg
join:2005-03-09
Saint Clair Shores, MI
| said by en102 :2. Verizon could use some more rural coverage, esepcially since Qwest is now using Verizon Wireless for service 3. Alltel runs a GSM network for roamers - this could be a good bit of leverage for squashing AT&T/T-Mobile for roaming, or a cash cow on roaming fees. 4. Cash cow on Sprint for roaming, or run Sprint into the ground, as their network would diminish significantly. 2: Qwest didn't pick Verizon for their coverage. They wanted to sell devices with the Verizon name thinking it would boost sales. And Verizon has more outlet stores they can double up on. Not anywhere did I read it was coverage. They had that with Sprint. Sprint is just a damn hard provider to work with.
4: I think if you check the contracts/rulls, if VZW buys Altel, the current roaming agreement stands till it expires. If it's broken, the FCC and lawyers would be all over it I'm sure. But VZW will be so deep into the LTE sinkhole, they might not even notice...  | |
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herb77
join:2005-02-23
Fort Myers, FL | Chad and the Verizon guy Now they need to make a new commercial with the Verizon guy waking up in bed with Chad.
Oooh La La | |
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| soccerguy
join:2004-06-28
Seattle, WA | Re: Chad and the Verizon guy LOL That'd be a really funny way to announce the merger. | |
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N3OGH
Bear patrol must be working like a charm
Premium
join:2003-11-11
Philly burbs | Music...
Come and get your LUV......
Not that there's anything WRONG with that....
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Petty people are disproportionably corrupted by petty power… | |
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| Ope
join:2001-02-11
Richmond, VA | I agree... what would be a TV spot everybody would be talking about... totally funny!!!! | |
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dvd536
as Mr. Pink as they come
Premium
join:2001-04-27
Phoenix, AZ
| said by herb77 :Now they need to make a new commercial with the Verizon guy waking up in bed with Chad. Oooh La La Where does that leave the wizard?
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When I gez aju zavateh na nalechoo more new yonooz tonigh molinigh - Ken Lee | |
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| patcat88
join:2002-04-05
Jamaica, NY
| said by herb77 :Now they need to make a new commercial with the Verizon guy waking up in bed with Chad. Oooh La La Chad will disppear silently like the Sprint Trenchcoat Guy. | |
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mrchris
We don't miss you Bush
Premium
join:2002-10-01
North Babylon, NY | Mergers Enough with them! The last thing is we need LESS choices..... | |
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mod_wastrel
join:2008-03-28
 ·magicjack.com
| Sayonara? I have a cheap prepaid account with Alltel that costs me less per year than plans from Verizon cost per month. I'm sure Verizon would eliminate that and offer only their not-at-all cheap prepaid plan(s) as a replacement, which means it wouldn't be worth staying with them. | |
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dvd536
as Mr. Pink as they come
Premium
join:2001-04-27
Phoenix, AZ
| Re: Sayonara? said by mod_wastrel :I have a cheap prepaid account with Alltel that costs me less per year than plans from Verizon cost per month. I'm sure Verizon would eliminate that and offer only their not-at-all cheap prepaid plan(s) as a replacement, which means it wouldn't be worth staying with them. Cheaper than 83 cents a month? thats what i get with t-mobile to go.[gold rewards member]
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When I gez aju zavateh na nalechoo more new yonooz tonigh molinigh - Ken Lee | |
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mod_wastrel
join:2008-03-28 | Re: Sayonara? I've paid almost $6 for the past year or so (about 14 months). Clearly, I only use it when I need to, so it works out really well for me. | |
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| patcat88
join:2002-04-05
Jamaica, NY
| said by mod_wastrel :I have a cheap prepaid account with Alltel that costs me less per year than plans from Verizon cost per month. I'm sure Verizon would eliminate that and offer only their not-at-all cheap prepaid plan(s) as a replacement, which means it wouldn't be worth staying with them. Yep, U Prepaid will be gone. Verizon Prepaid is almost as expensive as post paid. | |
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texans20
Weapons of Masturbation
Premium
join:2002-09-28
Texas!
clubs:
| Re: Does anyone think the deal will face trouble with regulators said by GOLFnSUN :Yes, I think it would face a tough look from regulators if they decide to go forward with this deal. Especially, if in November, the Dems win the White House AND also expand their control of Congress. BIG MERGERS will face a tough time - at least for awhile and until the industry lobbyists get their hooks deep in to a new administration. And that usually takes a year or so. I have a feeling Obama will warm up to lobbyists quickly when he (unfortunately) wins. Either way, I hope this faces a tough time. Personally I think there have been too many mergers in the past 5+ years especially in the telecom industry.
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"I sincerely believe the banking institutions having the issuing power of money are more dangerous to liberty than standing armies." Thomas Jefferson | |
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| EPS
join:2008-02-13
Hingham, MA
| This is pretty much the last chance for mergers to go through the Bush Administration, considering the time-frame- if this is going to happen it'll probably be very, very soon- same with any MSFT-YHOO, S-DT, etc... The uncertainty of a new administration complicates everything. | |
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patcat88
join:2002-04-05
Jamaica, NY
| spectrum monopoly In many places Alltel and Verizon own all the 800 channels (A and B block), such as South Dakota. What a great monopoly that is, isn't it? FCC already allowed a tiny bit of "same company owns both 800 blocks" in East Florida with ATT, but FCC made them divest most of the other duplicate spectrum, but that was before Martin. I wonder what he will say, hmmm "The 700 auction has created unprecedented choice [for cellular monopolies] for rural spectrum, there is adequate competition and therefore there is no conflict with owning both 800s". | |
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| hottboiinnc
ME
join:2003-10-15
Cleveland, OH
·Time Warner Cable
·buckeye cable
| Re: spectrum monopoly VZ will make them give up some some spectrum where they have duplicates like there but it should go right on through currently. There will be some things that VZW will agree to put on for their customers maybe the MyCircle for X amount of years for the VZW customers who sign up for new contracts but thats about it.
But I would be in favor of it if they keep everything still based in the States. I like Alltel's reps and coverage. With VZW it will give them more coverage and better phones. And VZW's call centers are based in the States. | |
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amigo_boy
join:2005-07-22
Tempe, AZ | Update the alltel photo The fat Sprint guy (Michael Busch, »www.myspace.com/michaelbusch) was replaced a few months ago (with someone much less entertaining).
Mark | |
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Jovi
join:2000-02-24
Mount Joy, PA
| T-mobile Maybe T-mobile should try to buy Alltel and gain share towards the big boys of AT&T and Verizon? I'd hate for Verizon to eat up more of the market then they already have. Same with team Deathstar. 
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"Where's my coffee? Oh. I guess it's my turn to make it."  | |
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See 8 replies to this post |
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GlenQuagmire
Giggidy Giggidy Giggidy Goo
Premium
join:2004-02-16
Grand Rapids, MI |  GSM Network
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Yes, its stuck in a windows this time. | |
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| Col_DH
join:2004-03-28
Northridge, CA | Re: GSM Network Not if they have the WiZZZZZZarddd!
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Check 6 | |
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| EPS
join:2008-02-13
Hingham, MA
| I believe Alltel's GSM network is a network they inherited from an acquisition, where they have been transitioning customers to their CDMA network, but keeping the GSM for lucrative roaming contracts with the big GSM carriers. I think VZW is doing something similar with their recent rural GSM acquisitions, so it shouldn't be too much of an issue. | |
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robbob340
K.U. Sweet 16
Premium
join:2001-02-15
Wichita, KS | Re: GSM Network A good chunk of western Kansas GSM is provided through this arrangement.
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I'm farming, are you?? | |
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VideoGuy
@verizon.net
| The Clock is Ticking They'd better get going. They have until January before the FCC and the FTC get a new boss. If the Dems win, it gets harder to do a deal like this. McCain has chaired a senate committee that oversees telecom, so he might be more inclined to let this one happen (given he could have raised issue with or held hearings on the number of telco mergers that happened while he held that post and as far as I can recall didn't).
Alltel was the one real financially viable threat to Big Red and the Death Star. Shame. The only real remaining hope for more robust competitors in wireless is the cable cos.
Possibly the biggest lift for VZ other than subs and spectrum is not having to pay roaming fees in all those rural areas Alltel has service and VZ doesn't. With so many people on national plans, they pay hard $ to other carriers when customers roam outside a VZ area and have to eat it for a growing % of customers. There are still some mom and pop carriers out there in heavy travel corridors that make their living that way.
We will likely end up with three carriers...two strong ones that are good at and suck at different things and a weaker one that is a cobbling together of Sprint, T-Mobile and whatever else is left. Once thought Alltel was going to be the center of gravity for that 3rd piece and it would stand half a chance if it could build a good board and have strong senior management. Looks now like it'll become the south wing of Big Red's empire. | |
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iLive4Apple
Hybrid power
Premium
join:2006-07-13
Helena, AL | Not GSM Verizon and Alltel are NOT migrating to GSM. They are migrating to LTE, GSM uses TDMA, LTE uses OFDMA. And unlike GSM it's an all ip network including for Voice calls.
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I get 29 MPG in my Toyota Highlander Hybrid! | |
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The Beer
I Love It When A Plan Comes Together
Premium
join:2001-07-24
Omaha, NE
clubs: | PLEASE Noooooooo! A marrige made in hell.
The 2 main carriers in Omaha as one, this would be bad!
They would own both the old A and B networks! | |
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dvd536
as Mr. Pink as they come
Premium
join:2001-04-27
Phoenix, AZ
| Re: PLEASE Noooooooo! said by The Beer :A marrige made in hell. Allhell rofl.
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When I gez aju zavateh na nalechoo more new yonooz tonigh molinigh - Ken Lee | |
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| patcat88
join:2002-04-05
Jamaica, NY
| said by The Beer :They would own both the old A and B networks! Tough luck, thats the new USA. | |
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Locutus65
A Closed Mouth Gathers No Foot
Premium
join:2001-05-24
Houston, TX
clubs:
·Comcast
1 edit | NOOOOOO! This would most likely mean that My Circle feature would most likely be gone :-(
I've had Alltel for several years and a former employee. I now live outside of Alltel area (still use my phone with Nationwide) and refuse to give up my Alltel service.
Verizon has less features and is way more expensive.
I pay $59.95/month for 900 anytime minutes, unlimited night/weekend and 10 my circle numbers.
--
Black is the absence of light, but white is the absence of memory, the color of can't remember. | |
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ilikeme
I live in a van down by the river.
Premium
join:2002-08-27
Houston, TX
clubs:
·Comcast
| Re: NOOOOOO! said by Locutus65 :This would most likely mean that My Circle feature would most likely be gone :-( I've had Alltel for several years and a former employee. I now live outside of Alltel area (still use my phone with Nationwide) and refuse to give up my Alltel service. Verizon has less features and is way more expensive. I pay $59.95/month for 900 anytime minutes, unlimited night/weekend and 10 my circle numbers. In Houston which carrier do you roam on, Verizon or Sprint?
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Fiber Optics is the future of high-speed internet access. Stop by the BBR Fiber Optic Forum
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Locutus65
A Closed Mouth Gathers No Foot
Premium
join:2001-05-24
Houston, TX
clubs:
·Comcast
| Re: NOOOOOO! said by ilikeme :In Houston which carrier do you roam on, Verizon or Sprint? I assume Verizon. I can go anywhere in Houston and surrounding areas and get GREAT signal. My wife has Verizon and it's more expensive and not as good as signal.
Alltel is also coming closer to Houston as I can now update my PRL. Up until about a month ago I would get Verizon if I dialed *228
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Black is the absence of light, but white is the absence of memory, the color of can't remember. | |
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| hottboiinnc
ME
join:2003-10-15
Cleveland, OH
·Time Warner Cable
·buckeye cable
| You would keep your MyCircle until you renewed your contract with the new company. Thats why most never renew they take the rate plan month to month to keep everything.
VZW just can't take something away from you that Alltel gave to you in a contract. When they take over a company they agree to the same terms as the other did along with you. | |
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| | patcat88
join:2002-04-05
Jamaica, NY
| Re: NOOOOOO! said by hottboiinnc :VZW just can't take something away from you that Alltel gave to you in a contract. When they take over a company they agree to the same terms as the other did along with you. Thats just a courtesy by Verizon. There is nothing to stop them from mailing a T&C notice to you and tell you are free to leave (most likly you can leave even without a T&C change b/c your month to month). | |
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MarkyD
Premium
join:2002-08-20
Oklahoma City, OK
clubs:
·Cox HSI
| Alltel is great. FWIW, I have Sprint. I often put my phone in "roam only" (Alltel is the roaming partner for Sprint here.) I RARELY have less than 4-5 bars no matter how far out in the boon docks I am.
I work at a government facility in the middle of nowhere. Sprint, AT&T, and T-Mo all have marginal coverage out there, at best. On Alltel, I get full signal strength.
I think this would be a good buy for VZ.
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MCSE, ACSA, and a lot more | |
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VZ Sprint
@verizon.net | Verizon & Sprint? Funny..I always expected Verizon and Sprint to eventually merge together. Of course it's still a possibility, but more unlikely if they do go through with buying Alltel. | |
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kidron
join:2008-06-04
Philadelphia, PA
| Verizon customer service STINKS ALLTEL CUSTOMERS WATCH OUT!!!
I tried to order phone service from Verizon today (to add to my DSL) and I was told I had to wait 8 to 5 on a weekday for the installer. I can't because I work full time (how else can I pay their bills?) - and the Verizon rep said she can't help me and HUNG UP ON ME!!!!! GEE, I"M THE CUSTOMER!!!!!
I've had better treatment from cable, YES, INCLUDING COMCAST. | |
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| EPS
join:2008-02-13
Hingham, MA
1 edit | Re: Verizon customer service STINKS Let's be fair here- that's Verizon's landline division, not for Cellco Partnership (d/b/a Verizon Wireless). As far as I know the customer service for the two are entirely separate organizations, even though one has management control over the other. | |
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| | hottboiinnc
ME
join:2003-10-15
Cleveland, OH
·Time Warner Cable
·buckeye cable
| Re: Verizon customer service STINKS They are seperate and you are told this when you call. Especially when you call the Cellco Partnership side. They tell you right away when going to a Rep. That if you're calling for Verizon DSL, or Landline they are unable to help you as they are seperate. | |
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| | | patcat88
join:2002-04-05
Jamaica, NY
| Re: Verizon customer service STINKS said by hottboiinnc :They are seperate and you are told this when you call. Especially when you call the Cellco Partnership side. They tell you right away when going to a Rep. That if you're calling for Verizon DSL, or Landline they are unable to help you as they are seperate. Remember Verizon Wireless is 50% owned by Vodafone. | |
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dennismurphy
Put me on hold? I'll put YOU on hold
Premium
join:2002-11-19
Parsippany, NJ
·Optimum Online
| Re: Verizon customer service STINKS said by patcat88 :said by hottboiinnc :They are seperate and you are told this when you call. Especially when you call the Cellco Partnership side. They tell you right away when going to a Rep. That if you're calling for Verizon DSL, or Landline they are unable to help you as they are seperate. Remember Verizon Wireless is 50% owned by Vodafone. 45%.
Completely separate customer service. Verizon Wireless customer service is all US-based. NO OVERSEAS CUSTOMER SERVICE WHATSOEVER.
Verizon DSL? Different story. | |
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scots
Can we have Twinkies?
Premium
join:1999-12-06
Raleigh, NC | Wow... HA HA HA!
My work just converted all employees over from Verizon to Alltel because Verizon was screwing us over.
Too funny! | |
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music4praise
join:2006-02-22
Big Rapids, MI | Not in favor As a happy Alltel customer, I hope this falls through. In many areas there is far too little competition already. I don't consider the presence of Verizon and AT&T to constitute competition. | |
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pepperxn
join:2001-02-21 | att If this deal goes through, att would have around 71.4 million customers vs vz's now 80 million. I doubt att would pay vz to reach some rural areas. I would expect att to go on a rural wireless carrier (GSM) buying spree. | |
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| hottboiinnc
ME
join:2003-10-15
Cleveland, OH | Re: att Not many carriers left for them to Grab. They'll be paying TM though in some areas and TM them. Since they roam on each other. | |
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| | patcat88
join:2002-04-05
Jamaica, NY
| Re: att said by hottboiinnc :Not many carriers left for them to Grab. They'll be paying TM though in some areas and TM them. Since they roam on each other. I don't know of any areas where ATT roams on TM. | |
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AZ_OGM
join:2007-01-12
Phoenix, AZ | Re: att There are a few areas in southern Minnesota where my old AT&T phone would switch over to T-Mobile. Especially around the Rochester area. | |
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| | pepperxn
join:2001-02-21
| said by hottboiinnc :Not many carriers left for them to Grab. They'll be paying TM though in some areas and TM them. Since they roam on each other. There's T-Mobile (around 30.8 million customers, GSM, will cost them over $30-40 billion to buy), and Centennial (GSM, 1.1 million customers, cost around $1-1.2 billion to buy). The rest are minor regional carriers. | |
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| patcat88
join:2002-04-05
Jamaica, NY
| said by pepperxn :If this deal goes through, att would have around 71.4 million customers vs vz's now 80 million. I doubt att would pay vz to reach some rural areas. I would expect att to go on a rural wireless carrier (GSM) buying spree. ATT and Verizon are buying up rural carriers and spliting spectrum and towers if they are buying a CDMA/GSM hyrbid rural carrier. ATT and Verizon will roam on each other very soon in the future. ATT and Verizon both chose LTE on 700, its guarenteed they will roam on each other, Alltel also chose LTE, but they don't own any 700 so I'm not sure what spectrum Alltel LTE will run on. | |
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Verizon In Talks To Buy Alltel
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Does anyone think the deal will face trouble with regulators
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