Comments on: Is the Verizon-Alltel deal good for consumers?

The $28.1 billion merger on its own won't likely impact pricing, but if the market continues to consolidate, prices could stagnate, especially for data services.

[pwog]

For coverage in Upper michigan will help alot, Peace of min in Upper territory

[oversightcommittee]

PLEASE, Largest provider NEVER equated to having truly benefitted consumers. How long ago was it that they broke up Ma Bell into "Baby Bells." Has anyone to this day been able to rid us of those idiotic hidden fees that some date back to practically horse & carriage days? We still pay it and has nothing to do with anything today. Less choice and competition for our hard earned coin.

[Lerianis]

Add to that, the fact that some of those 'hidden fees' are taxes that were REPEALED years or decades ago, and you are right.... the only net result is less choice and less competition.

[cthiii]

In smaller urban markets like the one I live in, Fargo, ND (with a metro population of 190,000), this merger means a whole lot less competition. Presently we only have Verizon, Alltel, Sprint, and Unicel. Unicel(RCC) is in the process of being swallowed by Verizon and now with Alltel being snapped up, that leaves us with only Verizon or Sprint. That's HARDLY competition.

[vzdubya]

Is it about competition or about choices? you have a choice. Good luck with sprint buddy. Ive always had luck with going with a company that reported a 50 million dollar lose last year! Smart move.

[Chukwudi]

If Verizon were to have roll-over minutes - THAT would be meeting my consumer needs.

[Bill_I]

I agree, it stinks that my unused minutes go poof every month. Biggest rip-off is rounding a 1 min 6 second call up to 2 min. There should be a class-action lawsuit over that practice.

[VTNomad347]

I'm an Alltel customer and I love their service, especially the My Circle option. If I were to switch carrier Verizon would be my next choice. I travel all over the country for work, mainly in rural locations and Alltel and Verizon seem to be #1and #2 in area coverage.

My only complaint about Alltel is their lack of cool phones. I want a Voyager! Hopefully this buyout will solve that problem, keep the Alltel plans and happen sooner rather than later.

[dizzy_yet]

to all alltel users: no you wont be able to cancel your current contract with no penalties. Your contract will just be transferred over to the verizon system. And if you are happy with your alltel plans because verizon cannot make you change your plan. you will basically be grandfathered in so you get to keep your plans as long as you like. As for alltel customers in montana and wyoming: you may not end up as verizon. Verizon will have to sell markets in those areas to avoid monopoly so you could end up as another company that you may like more but the same will apply when it comes to your contract and your wireless plan

[Mikeatle]

Verizon will screw consumers over with inferior phones, lousy customer service, and high prices. The ONLY reason I stay with Verizon is because it is the ONLY service I can pick up in my house. The fact that other services are available in my area is moot if I can't pick up the service in my home; therefore, I am at the not-so-tender mercy of Verizon.

[vzdubya]

I cant beliee you just contradicted yourself. Get a lind line and as far as Im aware there are still pay phones available.

[jshpttrsn]

to mikeatle - are you seriously knocking verizon because they have the best service?

[kermitnwyo]

Verizon and Alltel are the only providers in my area. Alltel offers a better deal on packages and pricing, as well as better phones (they don't neuter phone features like Verizon does). This merger will basically give Verizon a monopoly here in N. Central Wyoming as AT&T, T-Mobile, etc., do not provide coverage here. It sucks if you don't like Verizon.

[dizzy_yet]

to all alltel users: no you wont be able to cancel your current contract with no penalties. Your contract will just be transferred over to the verizon system. And if you are happy with your alltel plans because verizon cannot make you change your plan. you will basically be grandfathered in so you get to keep your plans as long as you like. As for alltel customers in montana and wyoming: you may not end up as verizon. Verizon will have to sell markets in those areas to avoid monopoly so you could end up as another company that you may like more but the same will apply when it comes to your contract and your wireless plan

[dagwud]

Actually, regarding the Ma Bell breakup, several studies in the 1990s found that we actually pay more for service as a result of the breakup than we did before (adjusting for inflation). But we also got greater innovation.

As for Alltel customers having to use inferior phones - it's not the phones, it's the software crippling. Alltell and Verizon pretty much offer the same phones. Verizon just likes to insist that you pay for built-in features, so they disable them.

I left Verizon for Alltel, partly because of the phone crippling. I guess I'll be leaving Alltel, too.

[oversightcommittee]

Based on my fellow commenter?s, we all share the same sentiments it seems to ring LOUD and CLEAR. Verizon-AllTel, CAN YOU HEAR "US" NOW?

[poedinfargo]

That was pretty witty and funny.

[srplus]

As a longtime Alltel customer I can hardly think how this could possibly benefit me...

"Alltel being bought won't be enough to impact pricing," Tole Hart, an analyst with Gartner said///

I sincerely doubt this since almost everything is more expensive at Verizon including the phones themselves.

[dizzy_yet]

to all alltel users: no you wont be able to cancel your current contract with no penalties. Your contract will just be transferred over to the verizon system. And if you are happy with your alltel plans because verizon cannot make you change your plan. you will basically be grandfathered in so you get to keep your plans as long as you like. As for alltel customers in montana and wyoming: you may not end up as verizon. Verizon will have to sell markets in those areas to avoid monopoly so you could end up as another company that you may like more but the same will apply when it comes to your contract and your wireless plan

[sasukennaruto99]

Verizon is a little more expensive cause they have better quality phones, and also they got the better technology they are the first to get hybird phones this year and also have first access to the new wireless internet

[vzdubya]

Ask yourself why Alltel has only 13 million customers? When you buy a car do you buy the cheapest or do you spend what it takes to get quality. use your head..

[niceguy2931]

Verizon continually offers the best service to the consumer. While this has to be weighted against the fickle consumer and his need for gadgets, music, television etc, etc.
I've had all but have reverted back to basic , good quality signal and service plus IN calling to save minutes. Verizon provides the quality I want.

[mgee99]

Having been both an AT&T customer (NEVER AGAIN!), an Alltel customer and now being a Verizon customer, I have to say that the significant difference for me between Alltel and VZW is the price. I miss Allte's pricing packages and the flexibility. The phone cofigurations aren't really that big a deal to the majority of the customer base and the customer service from Verizon has been very good (for me). I am sure there will be objectoions to that comment but I try to educate myself with the features I want to use and to do this avoid asking sales staff... I get in touch with tecnical support first and customer support second. All in all... VZW has been a good product, but the pricing makes it less than great. I am genuinely concerned about the potential fallout in competitive pricing.

[SWLinPHX]

...so why did you switch from Alltel then?

[looking2go]

I have worked for Alltel in the past and can say without a doubt that Verizon's customer service and plans don't match up. Verizons plans cost more and as far as their customer service goes they stink. They do however have a better selection of phones. That said the coverage if both were to get together would be excellent but just expect your coin to be very very weak.

[CrownSeven]

Verizon's customer service stinks? You cannot be serious. I have been Verizon customer for over 5 years now and have nothing but good things to say about their customer service.

Head on over to any cell phone forum's web site and have yourself a good read on how horrible AT&T's, T-mobile's, Sprint's, and EVEN Alltel's customer service has been.

When it comes to Verizon, yes they are more expensive than any other carrier in the US, BUT customers of theirs will consistently say that Verizon has the best coverage, and customer service of any carrier in the US, which is why they have the highest retention of existing customers in the biz.

You get what you pay for.

[UKStory1355]

I think it is a good thing for all of us because there will be no more Chad commercials.

[shanedr]

Any company that has more than 25% of the market should be considered a monopoly. Monopolies are never good for consumers, they always result in higher prices.

So much for congress protecting us from monopolies.

[dizzy_yet]

to all alltel users: no you wont be able to cancel your current contract with no penalties. Your contract will just be transferred over to the verizon system. And if you are happy with your alltel plans because verizon cannot make you change your plan. you will basically be grandfathered in so you get to keep your plans as long as you like. As for alltel customers in montana and wyoming: you may not end up as verizon. Verizon will have to sell markets in those areas to avoid monopoly so you could end up as another company that you may like more but the same will apply when it comes to your contract and your wireless plan

[bokubob]

I'm an alltel customer in an area also covered by verizon. It's pretty clear that my rates will go up because of this. Given that I'm a consumer, how is this not bad for the consumer?

-Jonathan

[employee742]

Ever heard of grandfather laws???? Way to go and assume the worst will happen... did no one else go through the att/cingular/att buyout in their area? If you have a plan or a phone or contract, you will be grandfathered into that for as long as you woud like to keep it, and unfortunately you will still get the benefits of increased service areas and less roaming (which I belive people of your mind set should not get). Once a change is made on your part, blame this on yourself, stop complaining about nothig, it's rediculous.

[dizzy_yet]

to all alltel users: no you wont be able to cancel your current contract with no penalties. Your contract will just be transferred over to the verizon system. And if you are happy with your alltel plans because verizon cannot make you change your plan. you will basically be grandfathered in so you get to keep your plans as long as you like. As for alltel customers in montana and wyoming: you may not end up as verizon. Verizon will have to sell markets in those areas to avoid monopoly so you could end up as another company that you may like more but the same will apply when it comes to your contract and your wireless plan

[n8pu]

So my contract with Alltel just expired, January 6 2009; how is this going to effect me, will I be grandfathered in with my plan or will Verizon start screwing around with my plan and what I'm paying? Oh I happen to like the 'Chad' commercials.

[CrempoleStalwart]

What a ridiculous headline. Of course it is bad for consumers. Rates will go up as competition decreases.

[employee742]

GRANDFATHER LAWS. DO your homework before you complain please.

[Grover Strong]

Verizon has not improved the quality of service and phones in years. But, yet they want to sign you up for other two years. I going to go month to month until they unlock the phones in order for subscribers to fully utilize the phones

[musicismysolace]

I am not a happy camper about this merger! I have been an Alltel customer for years, and they were the lesser of all cell phone evils. They have the best plans for the least amount of money and the best service in my area. Now I'll be stuck paying way more for things I already have and will probably lose my circle that saves me 1000s of minutes a month. Not hurting consumers my butt!

[dizzy_yet]

to all alltel users: no you wont be able to cancel your current contract with no penalties. Your contract will just be transferred over to the verizon system. And if you are happy with your alltel plans because verizon cannot make you change your plan. you will basically be grandfathered in so you get to keep your plans as long as you like. As for alltel customers in montana and wyoming: you may not end up as verizon. Verizon will have to sell markets in those areas to avoid monopoly so you could end up as another company that you may like more but the same will apply when it comes to your contract and your wireless plan

[church]

I have been with Verizon since day one and I was hoping when my contract ends here soon, to be free..hoping to join alltel and its My Circle and freedom to change my plan anytime without being hammered for it. Plus Alltel is better here in the Black Hills of SD. Now what? Should I run to Alltel just to be thrown back to Verizon? Certainly I am in a pickle, and it sucks.

[Site4Animation]

I don't know where you're getting all of this information, but it's wrong. I change my plan ALL the time with Verizon, and they never charge me, or extend my contract. I have never been "hammered" for changing my plan, which I do about every 2 months.

[dizzy_yet]

if verizon is approved for the merger it wont take effect until at least the end of the year if not longer. you can get the my circle plan and if the merger goes through you can still keep your plan until you decide otherwise not verizon