Alltel on Thursday announced four new Android smartphones, including the LG Axis (free), Samsung Gem ($89.99), HTC Merge ($124.99), and Motorola Milestone X. The LG Axis and Samsung Gem both run Android 2.1, which is two generations old — the HTC Merge and Motorola Milestone X are likely the more attractive of the bunch. The HTC Merge sports a full QWERTY keyboard and runs Android 2.2 (Froyo) under HTC’s Sense user interface. Meanwhile, the Motorola Milestone X is powered by Android 2.2 and sports a 4.3-inch touchscreen display as well as an 8-megapixel camera with dual LED flash and 8GB of on-board memory. Alltel says the four phones are available now in stores and online, although pricing for the Milestone X has not yet been announced and the device was not listed on Alltel’s website at the time of this writing. Hit the jump for the full release.

Alltel Wireless Adds Popular Android Smartphones To Handset Lineup

Customers can choose from sleek, stylish multimedia devices

BEVERLY, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Alltel Wireless, a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlantic Tele-Network, has added four new handsets – the LG Axis™, Samsung Gem™, HTC Merge™, and Motorola Milestone X™ – to its robust smartphone lineup. All four phones, equipped with Google’s Android technology, are now available at Alltel retail stores and online at alltelwireless.com.

Whether looking for a slim, compact phone or into videos and messaging or quick access to applications on the go, such as e-mail and the Internet, Alltel customers can choose from a lineup of phones that offer unique user experiences.

Versatile and Sophisticated Smartphone

The LG Axis offers Alltel customers customizable applications and an entertainment experience that will keep them effortlessly connected to the things that matter the most. Equipped with Google™ Android 2.1 and access to the Android Market™, LG Axis provides users with more than 80,000 applications for music, games and other entertainment categories. The LG Axis also allows users the ability to customize up to five different home screens by adding or removing shortcuts to their favorite applications and widgets, creating a unique phone that is tailored to meet their personal needs.

LCD Touch Display Brings it all to Life

The Samsung Gem comes equipped with Android 2.1 and provides built-in Google mobile services including Google Search™ and Google Maps™ with turn-by-turn GPS navigation. The Google™ user interface applications also allow customers to integrate their Outlook, Facebook and Gmail contacts, putting everything right where they need it on the large touch screen. With the advanced touch screen display, text, picture and video message is made easy with the Swype virtual keyboard, an innovative system that allows users to simply slide their finger from key to key, only raising it in between words. Users will also be able to drag and drop various widgets and icons to personalize their own unique screen.

Multitasking Made Quick and Easy

The HTC Merge comes equipped with the Android 2.2 operating system and the HTC Sense™ user-friendly interface, allowing customers to effortlessly multitask and unite spreadsheets from work with your videos from home. With the HTC Merge, users can quickly and easily link to social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook and update their status while checking e-mails. This customizable smartphone allows users to organize e-mail, Facebook and SMS based upon their individual preferences and not by technology.

A Theater in the Palm of Your Hand

The Motorola Milestone X is great for downloading movies or recording video in vivid HD quality, and then watching the clips on the 4.3-inch high-res touch screen. The Milestone connects directly to a compatible HDTV with an optional HDMI® cable so users can experience captured photos and video in HD crystal clarity. The 8MP camera provides clear pictures and features touch-to-focus, dual LED flash, panoramic mode, face detection and more. The memory on this sleek, stylish and ultra thin phone can expand to 40GB (8GB on-board and up to 32GB optional removable) to store even more photos and media.

Alltel Wireless continues to be an industry leader, providing customers most recently with “The Best Value Unlimited Plans” which offer the most affordable and flexible options for those who love to talk and remain connected. Alltel Wireless also provides customers its exclusive “My Circle” feature – unlimited calling to and from any 5, 15 or 25 numbers on any network and unlimited text to their circle on select plans – as well as the innovative “Free Fridays” feature, where all calls on Friday are free on select plans.

If you’re on regional wireless carrier Alltel and are looking for a low-cost, Android handset, listen up. The wireless provider has just announced the addition of the Samsung Gem to its smartphone lineup. The Gem is an Android 2.1 device that features a 3.2-inch touchscreen display, 800MHz processor, 3.2 megapixel camera (complete with a Superman-logoish bezel), Wi-Fi (with hotspot capabilities), Bluetooth, GPS, micro-SD card slot (support for up to a 16GB card), and 124MB of on-board memory. The Gem will be free with a new 2-year contract after a $50 mail in rebate. Hit the jump for the full press release.

Alltel Wireless launches latest generation Android smartphone – The Samsung Gem™

More applications and additional features from Android touch screen phone free at Alltel

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Alltel Wireless and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile), the number one mobile phone provider in the U.S. 1 today announced the availability of a new smartphone, the Samsung Gem™. . In addition to all the features you look for on an Android device and the large LCD touch display that brings it all to life, the Samsung Gem also offers new features and additional applications designed to give Alltel customers a premium Android experience.

The Samsung Gem comes equipped with Android 2.1 and provides built-in Google mobile services including Google Search™ and Google Maps™ with turn-by-turn GPS navigation. The Google™ user interface applications also allow customers to integrate their Outlook, Facebook and Gmail contacts, putting everything right where they need it on the large touch screen.

“Alltel Wireless is proud to add this advanced and versatile smartphone to our Android lineup,” said Scott Moody, Alltel Wireless Vice President of Products and Services. “The Samsung Gem offers our customers a premium smartphone experience at a great price. The Samsung Gem is now free after a $50 mail in rebate at Alltel Wireless.”

For people who like to keep in touch with their friends, the Samsung Gem also features one-touch direct-to-social site photo posting, allowing users to conveniently post photos, messages or e-mails to their favorite social network sites with a simple touch. The 3.2 megapixel camera gives customers the ability to catch every moment through phone or video.

• The smartphone is also Wi-Fi enabled, giving customers two ways to connect to the Internet – through Alltel’s fast 3G wireless network or through any available Wi-Fi hotspot.
• Bluetooth® wireless technology for a hands-free experience or to easily transfer data to a computer.

The Samsung Gem is available at Alltel Wireless for free after a $50 mail in rebate and a two year service agreement.

Alltel Wireless continues to be an industry leader, providing customers most recently with “Best Value Unlimited Plans” which offer the most affordable and flexible options for those who love to talk and remain connected. Alltel Wireless also provides customers its exclusive “My Circle” feature – unlimited calling to and from any 5, 15 or 25 numbers on any network and unlimited text to their circle on select plans – as well as the innovative “Free Fridays” feature, where all calls on Friday are free on select plans.

In addition to the advanced touchscreen display, Samsung Gem users will text, picture and video message with the Swype virtual keyboard, an innovative system that allows you to simply slide your finger from key to key, only raising it in between words. Consumers will also be able to drag and drop various widgets and icons to personalize their own unique screen.
Additional Samsung Gem key features include:

Verizon Wireless customers in the 79 markets that AT&T acquired are being alerted that they will soon be AT&T customers. A welcoming letter detailing the initial phase of the transition is being sent out to this lucky group of Verizon Wireless subscribers and one of our readers was kind enough to share the letter with us.  The letter confirms that  AT&T  is activating its service on a market-by-market basis and is working on integrating the two disparate networks. Once integration is complete, AT&T will transition customers over to its service, plans, and handsets shortly thereafter. In a bit of irony, these Big Red customers will be the first to have an iPhone 4. Any Verizon Wireless customers a bit jealous?

It seems like it was just yesterday, but one year has passed since AT&T and Verizon agreed to a $2.35 billion deal which would provide the former with select assets in 18 states and covering 1.5 million subscribers. Unfortunately for the two, the FCC had a lot on its plate at the time the deal was struck and the sale has been stuck in a regulatory holding pattern ever since. Now it finally looks like the FCC may be ready to approve the deal, as FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski sent an order asking that the acquisition be approved in a vote that could come in the next few weeks. Whether or not the other voting members of the commission will heed the Chairman’s advice remains to be seen, but if they do vote in favor of the deal it means good news for those divested locales who have been waiting anxiously for AT&T to roll in with its stellar 3G coverage.

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It looks like Verizon has finally figured out what it’s going to do with the Alltel employees that it picked up during its acquisition of the company: give them the axe. More specifically, Verizon is cutting an unspecified number of jobs in Little Rock because those corporate positions are now redundant. The departments being given the axe include finance, marketing and legal, but there is some hope for those losing their jobs — Verizon would be more than happy to have them apply for positions in its call centers. We’re not sure if being asked to step down from finance to handle customer complaints over the phone is a nice offer, but having a job is better than no job, right?

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Sheesh — now even Alltel is getting in on the action. It seems like everyone is trying to detract from Motorola’s big announcements later today as the flurry of news this morning just keeps on coming. In this latest addition, Samsung has announced the availability of the Samsung Freeform via Alltel. Specs include:

• Slim Bar Design with Four-row QWERTY keyboard
• Teal and Burgundy Color Options
• Music Player
• Stereo Bluetooth® Wireless Technology
• Multiple Messaging Options with Threaded Text Messaging
• Web-enabled
• GPS-enabled with Alltel Navigation
• Expandable Memory up to 16GB
• Speakerphone
• Voice Recognition
• Dimensions: 2.4″ x 4.42″ x .50″
• Main Display: 2.2″ QCIF, 262K TFT LCD

No, it won’t knock your socks off, but it’s certainly a viable messaging option for customers in the remaining Alltel markets. Though it is not currently listed on Alltel’s site and pricing has not yet been made available, the Freeform is said to be available immediately.

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Oh, divested Alltel customers — did you think you were going to get the shaft again? Cheer up, as half of the dynamic duo for which we exclusively scooped Verizon launch dates this morning is headed your way. Unfortunately, it’s Robin and not Batman. The upcoming Samsung u450 Intensity is indeed headed your way according to Bluetooth SIG. Sure it’s not as sexy as the Rogue but all you maniacal messaging fiends out there will surely welcome a budget Bluetooth 2.0+EDR-rocking, side-sliding QWERTY into your families, won’t you? No word yet on pricing or a release date but considering the handset is hitting Verizon at $30 on a 2-year contract, we would expect Alltel’s pricing to be in the same ballpark on a 1-year contract.

[Via CellPhoneSignal]

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Alltel customers in divested markets had plenty of cause to be jealous of their Verizon-owned brothers and sisters last month when Big Red launched the BlackBerry Tour 9630. Well, Alltel fans, it’s time to turn that frown upside down — Alltel has just announced the availability of RIM’s latest CDMA handset. The Tour is available immediately in Alltel stores and online for $199 on a 1-year contract after a $100 mail-in rebate. Gotta love that 2-year price on a 1-year contract. You will be required to select a Smart Choice plan, running $69.99 and up, and the Tour is compatible with Alltel’s famous My Circle calling feature. So, divested boys and girls, are you psyched that you can finally get your hands on the Tour or have you already moved on to daydreaming about the Storm 2?

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Despite the fact that there’s still plenty of Summer left to be enjoyed, companies just love reminding students that another semester/school year is waiting around the corner. Sure back-to-school deals are nice but it might have been nicer to keep school out of sight, out of mind for a bit longer. The most recent Summer buzzkill notable promotion comes by way of Alltel and is available to the 91 divested markets not controlled by Verizon Wireless. In Alltel’s words: “New and existing Alltel Wireless customers with “My Circle” plans, Smart Choice Packs, and Bundled Wireless Internet plans can add up to four lines to their primary account, with a $25 activation fee per line, and receive three months of free service on those new lines.” So parents, if you’re finally getting around to adding a few new lines for your rugrats this is definitely a nice little perk to sweeten the deal. Alltel’s back-to-school promo runs now through September 10th — more than enough time to mull it over.

[Via Phone Scoop]

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Just a few days behind schedule, Alltel has launched one of the more exciting handsets that will become available to its customers this month — the LG Tritan. Spec highlights include a 3-inch QVGA touchscreen, full QWERTY keyboard, full HTML browser, music player, G sensor, Bluetooth and a 3 megapixel camera. Oh yeah, and an “advanced UI”. As far as pricing goes, Alltel’s press release states the Tritan is available for $99.99 online and in stores after a $100 rebate but, oddly, it appears to have shot high. The site clearly shows a retail price of $449.99, an online discount of $270 and a $100 mail-in rebate. Let’s see: Carry the 4… Drop the 1… Multiply by pi… Take the square root of… Yep we get $79.99, just like the site says. Our advice: If you want one, hurry up and snatch it online now in case the site is low and the release is correct. Oh, and the site also says the Tritan is BOGOed up (buy one, get one free) so family plan-holders, rejoice.

[Via Press Release]

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Pending regulatory approval, Verizon Wireless has agreed to sell the remaining 26 divested Alltel markets to Massachusetts-based Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc. The companies have entered into a definitive agreement for Alltel properties located in Idaho, Illinois, Ohio, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, and approximately 800,000 Alltel customers will be affected should the sale be approved. The big side story here — following the recent agreement with AT&T, each of the 105 divested markets now has a potential buyer. Hit the jump for the full text of a memo sent to all Alltel employees in divested markets from the Management Trust currently operating said markets.

As you know, when Verizon Wireless purchased Alltel on January 9, 2009, you became part of a Management Trust set up to operate former Alltel CMA that would not become part of Verizon Wireless. During the past few weeks, many of you have asked about the potential sale of those properties that AT&T does not intend to acquire.

Today, I have news to share on that front. Verizon Wireless has entered into a definitive agreement with Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc. to sell properties in 26 CMA currently being operated by the Trust. These include over 800,000 Alltel customers in the following states: Idaho, Illinois, Ohio, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.

Verizon Wireless’ sale of the properties to Atlantic Tele-Network is subject to regulatory review and approval by the Department of Justice and the Federal Communications Commission. Atlantic Tele-Network, headquartered in Salem, MA, currently provides telecommunications services in the United States, Guyana, Bermuda, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Turks and Caicos. One of the company’s principal subsidiaries is Commnet Wireless, LLC, which provides voice and data wireless roaming services for U.S. and International carriers, including Verizon Wireless, in rural areas throughout the United States. Commnet Wireless works in partnership with national and regional wireless operators to offer highly-reliable, feature-rich coverage in a variety of technical environments. They currently manage wireless networks in 14 states and operate networks with CDMA, GSM/GPRS & EDGE technologies in both the 850 MHz & 1900 MHz bands.

With the signing of this agreement, Verizon Wireless now has a potential buyer for all 105 CMA in the Trust. Verizon Wireless signed a definitive agreement with AT&T last month to sell properties in 79 CMA not included in today’s announcement. That sale also is subject to regulatory approval.

What does this news mean for you? For now, it’s business as usual for all Trust employees. We will continue to serve our customers and compete in the marketplace as vigorously as we have since the Trust was created. Essentially, the Trust will continue to operate during the regulatory review and approval process, and our jobs and responsibilities will remain the same.

Since the regulatory process will take time, it will be a few months before we learn if and when the transaction will close. In the meantime, we will provide updates as information becomes available.

Thank you for all your efforts and your patience during this process.

Wireless customers have been waiting for an option like this for a long time. With a 1-year contract option, customers can take greater control over their wireless experience, having the flexibility to choose their contract length and the latest innovative handsets at the most competitive price possible.

Sounds good to us! The change applies to both new customers and existing contract renewals. Question: Think the big four will follow suit?

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(ou ‘ɯɯn :ɹǝʍsuɐ)

A funny thing happened on the way to acquisition. The two largest carriers in the US, Verizon Wireless and AT&T, have commanded and conquered some smaller carriers and are now seemingly sharing the spoils. As already reported, AT&T announced on Friday that it will purchase a substantial portion of Verizon’s divested Alltel assets. On the same day, AT&T also announced that it will be selling certain portions of Centennial communications to Verizon Wireless as AT&T seeks final regulatory approval for the its acquisition of the small, rural carrier. Verizon will pony up $240 million for Centennial assets that include nearly 120,000 current subscribers in five service areas across Louisiana and Mississippi. In the end, we have AT&T buying assets from Verizon and Verizon buying assets from AT&T while T-Mobile and Sprint are nowhere to be found.

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Back when Verizon acquired Alltel, the FCC would only give the nod under certain conditions. One of those conditions was that Verizon divest some of Alltel’s assets after the acquisition so the market didn’t look like a Big Red monopoly. As was expected, AT&T is going to pick up a good chunk of those assets for about $2.5 billion. A bargain. Of the 85 divested markets spanning 18 states, AT&T will scoop up about 24 markets and we’re sure the company is being pretty selective as a good chunk of those markets are in less than desirable areas in terms of profitability. Expect the transactions, including those assets left to be divested after AT&T’s transaction, to be concluded by early July.

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Alltel has just announced the latest addition to its handset arsenal and it’s a familiar face indeed: RIM’s CDMA varient of the Pearl Flip. In terms of specs it’s not the most ground-shaking Berry of the bunch but for $79.99 after a $70 mail-in rebate, it is most definitely a solid option for bargain-seeking BlackBerry addicts. There are two caveats to the $80 price point however — first, the obvious two-year contract. Secondly, users must select from among Alltel’s Smart Choice Packs starting at $69.99 per month. All Smart Choice Packs include unlimited data, Internet and email however, so it’s hardly a deal breaker. If $80 for a shiny new Pearl Flip 8230 isn’t low enough for you but you’re in dire need of a Berry, the Curve 8330 is now $50 after a $100 mail-in rebate and the Pearl 8130 is free after a $100 mail-in rebate. Yeah, we’d definitely go for the Pearl Flip. Alltel’s 8230 is available in early May in all 91 markets. Hit the jump for the full press release.

Alltel Wireless launches the BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230 smartphone
New flip phone joins Alltel’s impressive spring line-up of handsets perfect for moms, dads and grads

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – With wireless customers craving both style and functionality, Alltel Wireless announced today that the BlackBerry® Pearl™ Flip 8230 smartphone from Research In Motion (RIM) will be available in retail stores and online at alltel.com beginning in early May.  This stylish and compact smartphone puts customers in control of how, when and where they communicate and joins Alltel’s impressive spring line-up of phones that make perfect gifts for moms, dads and recent grads.

The clamshell design of the BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230 smartphone allows users to discreetly screen calls and preview messages on the high-resolution external display or utilize the large internal display to respond to calls or messages, view maps and web pages, and play games.  With a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels, the internal LCD displays videos and pictures in crisp detail and contrast.

“Alltel is committed to offering customers stylish and innovative phones, and the BlackBerry Pearl Flip gives customers the best of both worlds – a small, stylish smartphone rich in multimedia coupled with the industry’s leading mobile email and messaging capabilities,” said Angela Rittgers, director of product management for Alltel Wireless.  “As Alltel expands its handset lineup and showcases hot phones for spring, we know that the BlackBerry Pearl Flip will be a favorite with customers across the 22 states that we continue to service.”

Featuring a large SureType® QWERTY keyboard, an intuitive user interface with trackball navigation, built-in GPS with BlackBerry® Maps preloaded and support for locations based applications and services, and a 2 MP camera able to record video*, the BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230 smartphone is packed with powerful features, yet sleek enough to slip easily into a purse or pocket.  It also features full HTML browsing, a rich media player with the ability to sync music from iTunes® or Windows Media Player**, an expandable memory card slot (microSD/SDHC up to 16GB) and stereo Bluetooth® support.  Customers can activate the smartphone on BlackBerry® Internet Service as well as BlackBerry® Enterprise Server.

In addition to the BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230 smartphone, Alltel customers can choose from a wide-range of additional phones that make perfect gifts for any occasion, including Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and upcoming graduations.  Alltel is also offering the recently announced Motorola Evoke, great for social networking; the BlackBerry® Curve™ 8330, one of the most popular smartphones available today; the BlackBerry® Pearl™ 8130 smartphone, an impressive handset that combines multimedia and communications features in a compact design; the Motorola Hint QA30, a stylish, compact device with a slide-out keyboard; and the LG Rhythm™, allowing customers to bring their music with them, right on their handset.

Alltel Wireless is offering the BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230 smartphone for $79.99, after a $70 mail-in rebate, at Alltel retail stores and online at shopalltel.com. This discounted price is available to new and existing eligible customers who sign-up for a two-year service agreement on a qualifying Smart Choice Pack.  Smart Choice Packs start as low as $69.99 per month and include unlimited data, email and Web access.  Alltel has also announced that the BlackBerry Curve 8330 smartphone is now available for $49.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate, and the BlackBerry Pearl 8130 smartphone is free after $100 mail-in rebate.

Alltel Wireless continues to serve 2.2 million customers and operate in the 91 Cellular Market Areas (CMAs) that Verizon is required to divest. Alltel Wireless continues to be an industry-leader, providing choice and flexibility with its exclusive “My Circle” feature, providing unlimited calling to and from any 5, 15, or 25 numbers on any network. Alltel Wireless was also the first to offer Anytime Plan Changes, giving customers the flexibility to change their calling plans at any time without extending their contract.

For more information on the BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8230 smartphone, visit alltel.com or blackberry.com/blackberrypearl.

* Video recording requires a microSD card, which may be sold separately.
** Using BlackBerry® Media Sync. Certain music files may not be supported, including files that contain digital rights management technologies.