March 23, 2009 9:13 AM PDT

Alltel launches the LG Banter

by Nicole Lee
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LG Banter

LG Banter

(Credit: Alltel)

A few weeks ago, we posted that the LG Banter was announced by Alltel as a sort of rebranded version of Sprint's LG Rumor2. Monday, Alltel has officially launched it.

It has a sliding QWERTY keyboard just like the Rumor, and it is loaded with Alltel Email, Yahoo IM, and AOL IM. If you want, you can also switch out the faceplates--you can choose between blue and silver plates for now. It has a 1.3-megapixel camera, an integrated MP3 player, Bluetooth, A-GPS, and a microSD card slot.

It is markedly cheaper than the Rumor, at only $20 after a $50 mail-in rebate and a new two-year service agreement. You can get it now at any Alltel outlet and at Alltel's online store. While supplies last, you can also get a free Samsung Hue II or an additional LG Banter with the activation of a second two-year contract.

Nicole Lee is an associate editor for CNET, covering cell phones, Bluetooth headsets, and all things mobile. She's also pretty geeky--she likes World of Warcraft, comic books, and shiny gadgets. E-mail Nicole.
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by dude7895 March 23, 2009 2:31 PM PDT
I thought Alltel was done?
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by zschork March 23, 2009 6:11 PM PDT
if verizon bought alltel, then why are these cool phones going to alltel rather than verizon. Ive been looking at the rumor for some time but im stuck on the verizon network. id like to have a slider qwerty phone (no i will not get the glyde, haha)
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by paulimusmaximus March 23, 2009 8:30 PM PDT
I agree, I have Verizon, and have the env2, but I would much rather have a slider than one I have to flip open. It's annoying.
by ryank82 March 23, 2009 7:44 PM PDT
Verizon did buy Alltel so this is indeed interesting. Keep in mind just because Verizon and Alltel are one I'm sure they could keep the separate names going. I would rather them just go under Verizon imo.
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by lexielmo March 29, 2009 10:11 AM PDT
Does anybody know when the LG Banter will be available in South Carolina because I would really like to get it and the commercials all keep showing the Banter and the Hue down here...
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by corby36 April 2, 2009 12:23 PM PDT
Got this phone today to replace the scoop, the keybaord on the scoop is junk. I was very happy with the phone till I found out it can not do video clips ... I am sending it back,,, why do they have to remove features? just leave it alone LG. You fix the keyboard and remove the Video camera.... eeeeeeeeeeeeeee
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by Nusbaumer April 9, 2009 11:36 AM PDT
Got this phone today except with U.S. Cellular, So far I love it! Had a Scoop except U.S. Cellular's version and hated it always froze up when sending text messages...
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