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.

[oberon232]

I am not a fan of this deal.
I picked Alltel, because they have exellent customer service. Verizon did not.
The problem is that the bigger the company, the slower the resolution. Example, I opened a checking account with a small bank. I knew all the managers, and even toured their corporate data center. The small bank did well, so it was bought by Bank Boston. Bank Boston merged with Fleet. Fleet merged with Bank of America. Now, my account is a small fish in a very large sea, and I have to wait 45 minutes on hold when ever I have a question about my account, while listening to pre-recorded messages about how they are working to grow more.
I guess next time I choose a service provider, I should just roll over and quietly take what ever bottom of the line service the biggest guy on the block wants to hand out. Pardon me for trying to give patronage to companies that exemplify my ideals.

[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

[jnk_cnet]

As a *former* Verizon customer who is now with Alltel, the thought of these two companies merging makes me want to vomit. I left Verizon because their service and support sucks and I got tired of their lies and their utter disregard for customer service. To them, it is all about The Contract and how much they can up-sell you and increase your monthly bill. You won't get any addition service for your increased costs ... just more headaches. Sure, Alltel's service and support isn't perfect either, but it is head and shoulders above Verizon's on its best day. I have 16 months left on my Alltel contract ... need to see if I can make the jump to T-Mob or ATT ASAP!

[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

[myles taylor]

Here in rural Montana where I live, Verizon and Alltel are it. That's all we have. In some of the bigger cities, there are some small, local wireless companies which usually have ties to Sprint or AT&T, but in the majority of the state, a merger between Alltel and Verizon would mean a choice of Verizon or Verizon for your phone service. Is this a bad thing? Not really sure. I have a lot of friends and family on Verizon and mobile to mobile with them would be great. I guess I'll see where it goes. Hopefully AT&T will be making a foray into this area soon. As long as Sprint, T-Mobile, and AT&T remain competitive, I don't think it will be a huge problem. For most of their coverage, the two companies don't overlap. I guess us little people will just have to wait and see.

[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

[RH0528]

I have to agree with the majority of the negative comments. There is no way this will end up being a good thing for consumers. If anyone thinks Verizon will suddenly change and stop crippling their phones features, they would have to be crazy!!! Eliminating competition rarely if ever results in reduced prices or added services in any industry.

[adobesage]

The statement by employee742 . . ." Are you a bunch od children?? Obviouslt not, since you have to be 18 to get a cell phone, whether you have either carrier you are going to be grandfathered into your current rate plan and phone unless YOU take it upon yourself to change it." both the statement and the clarity of it is a total joke. You will NOT be grandfathered in unless the deal between them includes that. If you think for one second that the Alltel management will NOT sell out it's customers for a golden parachute you are totally out of your mind. When ATT bought US Cellular my bill went 3X.

I think from a coverage perspective the deal could be great. Being an Alltel customer I can tell you they are always trying to bump me $10.00 or so at a time. Almost every month I need to call them on their BS. It is tedious. If you think the regulators are in your corner then you need a reality check. The FISA bill, rewriting federal wiretap laws by granting retroactive immunity to telecommunications companies says volumes about the consumer vs. the corp/government mafia.

The best you can do is stay out of contract and try and keep it simple. Do you really need 3G iPhone or a Crackberry that has it's server on Canada?

[ransom12]

I had Verizon for 1 month and they screwed me out of over $100 for my internet service, when we switched to Alltel for internet it worked great. We also switched our voice service to Alltel. I highly oppose this deal because Verizon lies and screws people over. Alltel should remain Alltel.

[Jacob_Ness]

Verizon Wireless was my first provider, I was with them for four years, my family members many more years. I switched to Alltel a year ago, because of all the trouble I had with Verizon. I had junky phones from Verizon, my first lasted nine months, then each month for 2-3 months I got a new one until I gave up and started using my brothers used phones, with more then a year left in my contract. A year later my phone was better, but not much. My current has not given me an ounce of trouble, my wife's had a broken screen, Alltel gave her a loaner, and got it fixed for free, and she didn't even have the extended warrentee. Once with Verizon I had a month of military training and went into a corporate store and had it suspended for the time period, I came back to find that my phone was never suspended and I had my full bill to pay.
My family members have had countless problems and issues with service, customer service, etc. and the only reason we have stayed with Verizon was because we all had Verizon, no finally everyone has or are planning to switch to Alltel, and they are merging.
In my town in East Central South Dakota, Alltel and Verizon are the only logical choice for service since the other's available in town or an hour drive to the south, only have signal in main towns (which is probably only 8 towns max) and along interstates, which service is not continuous even there. So its Alltel or Verizon.

So, I will probably be switching to a landline, because there is nothing in this world that would ever bring me back to all of Verizon Wirelesses ENDLESS CRAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[onfireforHim]

We have had Alltel for 12 years. When my contract is up we try to consider Verizon(because all my friends have Verizon) but Verizon can't compete with the Alltel prices. My friends are always complaining about their customer service and billing, and a couple of them have had many phone issues.Always replacing their phones.
Alltel by far is the best, the only drawback is that people go to Verizon because it is the popular service and hey want those free mobile to mobile minutes.
I had an OVERAGE of $260 on my bill for May and an OVERAGE of $290 on my bill for June because of son going over on texting. Alltel upped my plan to the unlimited texting and saved me over $500.00. They even went back a month to credit it. This month I have a credit on my account this month. I didn't even ask for the credit, they just offered it. Now Alltel offers the unlimited texting on mobile to mobile and on the my circle numbers. I was so thankful. YES!! Alltel will do this and better for their customers in reference to an earlier post. If I need to call them, they always check my plan for ways to save me money.
At the same time my daughter (on Verizon) and friend were charged $500 over because of the new changes on accessing the internet. It switched to $1.99 per access without them being informed of it. They were NOT credited any of the $500.00. This happened to many people I know on Verizon. They have now blocked this feature.
From what I understand you can keep your Alltel plan but if you ever switch to Verizon, you will never be able to go back to Alltel. I am sure the Verizon company will give you some bait to draw you in.
Hopefully Alltel and Verizon will at least be able to share the mobile to mobile minutes. If not, that will be the bait.

[sasukennaruto99]

Well if you American Consumer would wake up and pay attention to countries that have better technology then us AKA Japan and the UK you would realize they only have a few networks but also besides that Verizon buying Alltel so what.... Verizon owns 70% of Alltels network anyways... Alltel leases most of there towers from Verizon... So Verizon can just get rid of the leases and Alltel would be down 70% of a network.... Verizon is the best and I can say this as I been through the other idiots....

[alltelagentj2]

From what we are understanding at this point is that Verizon is most likely to honor all Alltel contracts. If your contract with Verizon ends before the end of the year (which is when they expect the deal to be complete) and you are able to get an Alltel account, you should be good for at least two years. Just make sure you dont think you would need to change later on and have all the features you want as Verizon may not let you change them later.

[scottnmellissa]

Alltel is not superior to Verizon, if Alltel was superior to Verizon then Alltel would be buying out Verizon. Yes, Verizon is more expensive and they're a far better company. I had Alltel and switched back to Verizon due to Verizon having better coverage. As for their variety of cell phones, they're far better than Alltel's selection in my opinion. All of you Alltel customers complaining are hilarious and sad at the same time. Allow me to say welcome to the network!!

[Outcold42]

I'm an avid customer to verizon, I have been with them since i got a cell phone. I haven't had much to really complain about my phone service till lately. I'm in the middle of a steady relationship with an amazing girl but, she is now off to college 3 hours away from me where she's without friends and family. We find ourselves talking to eachother every day to help eachother out and make it work. The last few month's have been rediculious for cell phone bills, due to her being and alltel customer under her parent's and myself being under my parent's with verizon. I hope that if the merger between these to compaines happens it will change the calling plans they have. Not too sure if i just want to switch to alltel if they are just gonna merge? I mean really cell phone prices are a bit steep at time's and everyone is trying to save wherever they can these days that's why i'm still on a shared plan with my parent's cuz by myself seems expensive. Not sure if anyone is on the same page as me or if any of this makes sense but to pay overages of $200 a month is crazy and the calling plans they now have aren't really that good of deals, and the different tear level's they offer seem to be kind of a joke if you ask me!!! They gotta be making a killing, when you think of how many subscribers they have and the prices on the purchases of phones alone are steep. I know they could figure a way and decent rate to have an unlimited plan with a flat rate that wont break the bank.

[supercop251]

I am currently a Verizon Wireless customer. I have been looking at switching to Alltel because Alltel has excellent customer service. I have several friends that are with Alltel, and I have seen that Alltel bends over backwards to please the customer as far as customer service is involved. For almost two years I have been having issues with my Verizon Wireless service and phone. When I take my phone into the store and express my issues (coverage in areas where there should be service), the response I get from customer service both in store and on the phone is essentially "you are in a two year contract. We don't care about your problems, Deal with it!" My concern about the merger is that Verizon will destroy Alltel's excellent customer service and their excellent plan pricing.

[erswig]

RUN FROM VERIZON, AND RUN FAST!

In no way shape or form will I enter into another contract with Verizon Communications.

What a nightmare of a company. I have been a cell phone user for the better of 10 years, now. And I have been with the likes of, Verizon, Alltel, AT&T ... and 6 of those years, off and on, have been with Alltel/cellone. And may I add that those 6 years with alltel/cellone were enjoyable. I can't say the same with Verizon.

I was with Verizon for 1 year and 2 months, 14 months of ****. The way that company operates and manages to keep subscribers is beyond me. Logistically, what a nightmare. Continuous Billing issues, with inept customer service reps. And technically, why is Verizon so hesitant to accept the newest technology. How long did it take Verizon to get a phone with Windows Mobile 6.0! (I don't even know if they have one yet!) On top of all this How come Verizon year after year the top grossing wireless company when it comes to revenue.... They are not even the largest provider! Nearly 5 million fewer subscribers than AT&T ... hmm Oh! I know! its those overpriced plans that don't do ****!

**** off Verizon, leave a good company alone!

I encourage current/potential subscribers of Alltel to stop this merger, we need to either pressure Alltel, or worst case scenario make the switch, (may I suggest Sprint)

My contract ends in January, perfect timing, by then we should know the fate of Alltel, and if you have just entered into a contract with Alltel, and Verizon DOES buy Alltel, may I suggest breaking it.

Thank You,

erswig

[Capt.Daniel]

Back in the late 90's and till 2002 I had AT&T. Not all that great!! Sorry guys...I switched to Alltel and I have enjoyed the best service and products around. I use a air-card and two cells as i am a rv'er who travels. My main concern is the service areas when we travel. I had heard that something like 11 states...I think that was it, Was going to loose Verizon service. The biggest question I have is am i still going to be able to have service here in New Mexico and Arizona. From the report they had those two states listed along with the other 9. Is this Verizon ,or Alltel too????

[bnefriends]

Verizon is a really crappy company; their landlines have sucky service, they charge way too much, they're always down, they try to rip their customers off on their bills, and if their cell phones are anything like they were as GTE Wireless, then they suck too. When GTE sold its Florida wireless customers to Alltel, the service improved greatly, with no dropped calls, reasonable pricing and plans, cool phones, etc. Now that Verizon has announced a merger, I've been getting a pathetic amount of dropped calls, and I know it's because of a Verizon influence since I've had Alltel since GTE sold off to 'em, and I hadn't had major problems since GTE. Thank God that Port Charlotte has Embarq instead of the Verizon crap, and thank God we're switching to AT&T for cell service mid January. Thank God AT&T is a GSM and Verizon likely won't touch 'em.

[black96horse]

Okay, So my families' current contract with Alltel ended in July. Since we are not binned to the current plan, Does the Grandfather thing still apply? And what will happen to the Cellphone selection? Do the Alltel phones go away and we just choose from Verizon, or Will they be combined so we can choose from both. We are holding off on getting a new, better plan till this is finished. We could use new phones but do not know what would get us the best phone i guess. Should we get a new plan now with new alltel phones or wait?

[JSW2237]

I had Alltel switched to Verizon at the end of my contract, suffered through 2 years with them before I could switch back to Alltel. That's who I have now and I am very happy with them. I have a 4 line family/personal account and 13 business lines. I HATED Verizon. Their service was inferior, I went through 5 phones trying to get one that would get a signal in my office.
They kept saying "well you are in an interior part of the building" I kept saying I never had this problem with my Alltel phone - and haven't since I switched back.
My plans (personal and business) were MUCH more expensive with Verizon.
As far as the "grandfather rule" is concerned I was told as long as you keep your current plan you are ok.
BUT that means when your contract terms you cannot re-up for 2 more years and get new phones AND keep your "grandfathered" plan as you have it - SO WHAT GOOD IS THAT?
I don't know about you but after 2 years we are usually ready for new phones.
I hate the merger and I may switch to AT&T before I am willing to be taken over by conglomerate Verizon.

[vongdestroyer]

I am a customer of Alltel and I hope my plan doesn't change because I love their service. I had Att Wireless Go Phone back in '05, (not pay as you go, I had plan out bank account) and with the merger of Cingular, it took a few months to a year, but I was told I needed a SIM card (not needed for Att) so thus new phone, and to pick a new plan, which was more expensive for less minutes/texts/internet.

I left them after just under 2 years of service because of this. I found Alltel. (something new since I had moved) Alltel gave me no harassment on my credit and I was approved no deposit, something Sprint/Verizon did not approve me of at the time. I have MyCircle (you dont know what you are missing those without!!), a decent phone (LG Glimmer, touch screen), and like my service ($200 for two lines, 1000 minutes/1000 texts (only share mins not texts), insurance, roadside, ringbacks, USB internet flash drive thing (which is $65 on its own).

Alltel has given me great service tower wise, I have moved a lot. Also they reps are always helpful to me, Ive had plenty of credits (some for stuff I did do but they were nice and took like 50% off for me!) and they easy to make payment arrangements with (I've done this a few times) I have had Alltel for 2.5 years. I have seniority over there, with bonus crap they have given me like mycircle extra numbers and some free mighty backup thing.

Now Im Verizon, who didnt want my service before, cuz they wanted $400 deposits a line I remember! Robbery... So now Im forced to them.

I do love Verizon phone choices, cuz Alltels isnt the best. But I hope they do not just walk over me. I have been a good customer at Alltel, have 3 lines, (2 phone and 1 that is a USB device for my internet.) and Im excited to be Verizon because I would have had them next, but their deposit was so high.

I love my current everything, no complaints and I'd just like to keep it that way!! Don't care what the name, as long as they respect that.

[schatzej]

I am and have been an alltel agent for over eight years with a substaintial number of alltel customers
paying their prepaid phone service at my store. I was informed via telephone that I would no longer be
an agent once the Verizon and alltel merger goes through and on July 1st it is all over. I am not alone
many other agents got the same notice in my area and I am sure all over the United States. Having a
$2500.00 monthly lease with over two years left on it ; was never a concern to Alltel or Verizon. Many
small businesses will go under and many more Americans will lose their jobs due to this merger. I am
100% sure you cannot find a single senior manager at Alltel or Verizon who cares what happens to any
of their dedicated agents. They are a sorry bunch and you would be dumb to ever trust any of them.

Pissed in South Carolina