Alltel Customer? What You Need To Know About Verizon's Buyout
I am perhaps one of the few people in the city of Minneapolis who has an Alltel Wireless cell phone plan. In fact, I would have switched to another carrier long ago (probably AT&T so I could get an iPhone) if I wasn't getting a great discount thanks to my parents and our family plan. Plus, Alltel's My Circle feature is a huge bonus.
It allows you to select up to ten phone numbers that you can call without using any minutes from your plan. I would estimate that I use less than 100 minutes every month because the people I call frequently are either Alltel customers (free mobile-to-mobile is great, too) or I have their numbers on My Circle. Alltel doesn't have any stores in the area because they are a predominantly rural carrier here, so if I need to have my phone serviced I have to drive back to my hometown in south-central Minnesota, but that's been just a slight annoyance overall.
Now, not even a year after my family switched from a local carrier (Midwest Wireless) which was acquired by Alltel, Verizon has bought out Alltel. Things won't be completely switched over for several months now, but in preparation I decided to investigate how the switch-over will take place. To make things easier for my fellow Alltel users out there, I'll list the most important changes that will take place. You will receive more detailed information from Alltel/Verizon in the upcoming months, but in the meantime, here's a quick overview:
Can I just switch to Verizon now, before the transition is complete?
You can, but you will be subject to the same early contract release fees. It would be no different than switching from Alltel to any other carrier; if you are still under an Alltel contract, you would still be charged to be released from it early even if you are simply switching to Verizon.
Will my Alltel phone still work after the switch?
99% of Alltel phones will work just fine after the switch. The only phones that might not work are probably ancient (which, by technology standards, is anything five years or older) in which case you should probably just get a new phone when the switch happens anyway.
Will I get to keep My Circle?
As long as you are still billed under Alltel, then yes, you will get to keep your precious My Circle. Verizon has yet to decide if it will offer a similar service after the transition takes place.
Will I need a new plan and/or phone to use Verizon-only services like V Cast?
Yes. After the switch takes place, you would need to purchase a Verizon phone in order to use those features. If your main concerns are simply calling and texting, you won't need to worry about this.
Will my local Alltel store stay open during the transition?
Yes. Verizon will gradually change the signage and whatnot as they transition the area's customers.
This is SO annoying! Who do I complain to - Alltel or Verizon?
I'd try calling Alltel, since you are currently their customer and not yet a Verizon customer.
Where do I go to get more information about this?
You can check out Alltel's website (alltel.com, of course) and click the link at the top of the page regarding the integration into the Verizon network. Or, you can simply wait until Alltel sends you more details in the upcoming months.
Best of luck to Alltel, Verizon, and their customers during this transition! I hope it goes well, but if it doesn't, I figure I can always cancel my plan and get that iPhone, right?
