NO Alltel Phones on Verizon. NO Verizon Phones on Alltel

[Mobile Mike]

This question has come up many times in the last few months. To avoid an onslaught of threads asking whether Verizon phones can work on Alltel or vice versa, Here's the lowdown:

Alltel and Verizon are one company, LEGALLY, but are still two separate companies when it comes to phone offerings, service, etc. Verizon is in the process of integrating Alltel customers into their billing system. This is in process and may last until the end of 2009 (or possibly later).

In the mean time, Alltel phones will not work on Verizon AND Verizon phones will not work on Alltel. They ARE both CDMA, but this doesn't mean immediate compatibility. The system both carriers use to make phones work on their networks is the ESN (electronic serial number) of the phone. If it is not in their respective systems, it won't work. Even if it does, there still is no guarantee it will work properly.

There are cases where people have gotten their phone to work on another CDMA carrier's network. Loopholes do exist, but don't expect your phone will be one of them.

Some people have "flashed" their phone with the firmware of the carrier they want the phone to work on. This is a VERY RISKY operation. Phones can be permanently damaged and warranties voided by doing this. If you choose this route, do so at your own risk.

Please keep this information in mind before posting another thread on this issue.