alltel
Networks
Verizon Wireless Completes Merger With Alltel: Now the Nation’s Largest Carrier
3:10AM Sean Fallon | It has been in the works for months, but Verizon and Alltel have finally consummated their relationship—making Verizon the nation’s largest wireless carrier with nearly 83.7 million subscribers. More »
Networks
Official: Verizon Wireless Absorbing Alltel to Become Largest US Carrier
11:55PM Wilson Rothman | We mentioned it yesterday, but now Verizon Wireless is kissing and telling: It will pay around US$6 billion for Alltel, adding 13 million customers in 34 states to the Verizon subscriber ranks. That should put Verizon’s total at 80 million—high above AT&T’s last-reported 71 million customers. Though Alltel and Verizon share the same phone technology, Alltel serves rural markets that Verizon had not built out, so it should mean some nice network expansion too, and “seamless transition” for Alltel customers. Seems like the merger will be completed by the end of the year, and all things will be harmonious and groovy by the second year. We’re not seeing many problems with this—it’s certainly no Sprint-Nextel fiasco. Jump for press release with financial mumbo jumbo. More »
Networks
Verizon In Talks to Buy Alltel, Become Biggest Wireless Carrier With Over 80 Million Subscribers
5:33AM Matt Buchanan | Not the first time this rumour has popped up, but Reuters is reporting that Verizon is in talks to pick up nationwide runt Alltel in a US$27 billion deal that would make Verizon Wireless the biggest carrier on the block, with over 80 million subscribers, topping AT&T (67 million + 13 million). The deal’s feasible–both use CDMA, and in a saturated wireless market where growth is mostly coming from theft and smaller carriers anyway, buying ‘em outright might just be easier. (CNBC’s reporting it too, check it for some more biz analysis.) And here’s the WSJ take.[Reuters] More »
Phones
Analog Cell Network Goes Bye-Bye, Escalade Owners Weep
3:17AM Wilson Rothman | Sad news in the rap community: As of December 31, OnStar will no longer support its own analog systems in older vehicles, in anticipation of the analog cellphone shutdown scheduled for Feb. 19, 2008. Most of us no longer have analog phones, not even those dual-band and tri-band ones capable of analog roaming. Still, certain systems still rely on the network, including burglar alarms, utility meter readers and in-car help systems—not just OnStar but also LexusLink and Mercedes-Benz TeleAid. When AT&T, Verizon Wireless and Alltel switch off their networks, many OnStar users will find themselves SOL. [AP; OnStar Digital Transition Explanation] More »
Announcements
Afternoon News: Alltel’s Pearl 8130, $US6 Billion Ink Over-Charge and Broken Zune Song Tags
11:48AM Chris Mascari | • The American Consumer Institute estimates that consumers overpay for printer ink by $6 billion a year, since there is no competition in the market of printer ink. [Cameratown via Gadget Lab] • Alltel will be releasing its version of the BlackBerry Pearl 8130 just in time for the holidays, with a price of $149 after a two-year contract. [Alltel via Crave] • In response to a Zune song tagging problem, Microsoft has set up a support page with not so simple instructions for fixing incorrect song tags. [Microsoft via Gadget Lab] More »
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