Alltel Network Overlay

[DemoMan]

Does anyone have news on Alltel's network overlay of the former CenturyTel system? I am wondering how work is progressing on other parts of the network. Things seem to be moving a little bit slow here in Arkansas, but the area served is VERY rural.

Also, the Cellular XL deal in Mississippi is set to close on Feb. 28. If you'll look in the southern wireless forum, you can see more info on that.

[mark777111]

I was told last September that we would be digital here in northern Michigan by early November. We're still analog. I think someone needs to educate Alltel about the concept of "under-promise and over-deliver".

[DemoMan]

It is all about the bottom line too man.....I did finally get some word.....My friend that is a business rep. told me that because of some budgeting stuff, the upgrades were pushed back a little but that they should really take off in late feb. and early march here....they will work out from the cities to rural areas....even when the overlay is done though, it could take a few months for them to work out the all of the dead/weak spots.....but that is true w/ any conversion. TDMA and CDMA behave differently so the bad places are not always the same, or so has been my experience.

My best suggestion would be to get on E-bay and find an external antenna for your V60. That is what I did and it will give me a full signal....it might be analog, but properly configured and with a strong signal, analog can be alright.

Keep me posted if ya hear anything man. I have no real complaints about the company other than the slow upgrades......

P.S....I think that upgrades should be helped by Alltel's recent sale of it's non-communications properties.....If you are interested in what I just said, check the recently posted news at www.alltel.com

[xtoddler2]

Why the hell would anyone want to use Alltel? Why not use ATT, T-Mobile, Cingular, Verizon, hell, even Sprint PCS will do....

Maybe they give discounts for people in certain areas, for dealing with inferior service, or bad phones, or piss poor quality, I dont know...

All Im saying, is that I dont know too much about Alltel, but what I do know, I dont particularly enjoy...especially their phones and plans....blechh!

If it works, then use it...but if its THAT bad..maybe its time to change to someone else.. Isnt that area a US Cellular area too?

Roger

[mark777111]

Roger:

We don't have a lot of options here in northern MI - no Verizon, AT&T, Cingular, etc.

Alltel seems to be a good company, they're just giving themselves a black eye on this conversion process. After the changeover from CenturyTel the retail outlets really pushed the CDMA phones, and discouraged TDMA. I gave up a good Nokia 6360 because they told me the conversion was going to be done in November. Since then I (and our sales force) have been dealing with this lousy analog.

If something doesn't get done soon, we'll look at CellularOne or NPI.

[xtoddler2]

I know how you feel. In California where I used to live, it was Cellular ONE and GTE. That was all you had. Cellular ONE went ATT, and I went to Sprint when that happened. GTE went Verizon, and everyone I know went to ATT. Pac-Bell Wireless came in, and then it went Cingular, and only my weird friends who like to pay out the behind or live in the South use them. and T-Mobile, lets face it, they FINALLY went nationwide with the new name, but was Voicestream before....and not even offered till ATT and Cingular went GSM in California.

Now you would think that with all this, there would be at least ONE major provider in your area. As for CDMA, you will find that CDMA doesnt interfere with radios, tv monitors, etc, like TDMA does. There is no weird buzzing in speakers close by either. And, from what I hear, the sound quality is better too. However, if you are not in a CDMA, and predominant TDMA area, then why would ANY provider take that away, and leave you all with analog? Oh, then again look at ATT and Cingular, taking TDMA, and going GSM, a medium that still will not catch on to the US standards for wireless for another 10 years.

I hope the best for you, and hope that a major carrier comes to its senses, and pops in your part of the country. I know Im on Sprint, but I can use my minutes on any network CDMA, or Analog I can get a signal from, cause Im on a test roaming program, but thats another story....

Roger

[Gonz]

I know Im on Sprint, but I can use my minutes on any network CDMA, or Analog I can get a signal from, cause Im on a test roaming program, but thats another story....

Roger, I'm interested...Test roaming program? Are you a beta tester? How did you get chosen?
Cool!

[Gonz]

Sorry, I didn't use the quote feature for my last post

[DemoMan]

Alltel as a whole is a great company....good company to work for and in the areas that they have owned for any length of time, their service is better than any of the other companies that I have dealt with. I did get an answer to my question today. They are turning on 7 different overlays in my area on Feb. 17. I would assume that they may be turning on overlays in other areas at that time. I ran into the district manager for my area today and she told me that lots of the overlays would be completed during the first quarter of this year.

If the analog is driving you nuts, if you look on e-bay......they have some really cheap external antennas that work great. If you have a strong analog signal it is pretty clear....or it is on my V60i. Watch and see if you notice any difference in service around the 17th of this month.

ALSO VERY IMPORTANT FOR GUYS IN YOUR AREA: There will be a PRL update that is supposed to be released on Friday.....It will effect Alltel's northern markets....I don't know what the new PRL updates exactly, but might be worth a try.

Let me know how things progress.

Later,
Brad

[xtoddler2]

Originally posted by: Gonz
I know Im on Sprint, but I can use my minutes on any network CDMA, or Analog I can get a signal from, cause Im on a test roaming program, but thats another story....

Roger, I'm interested...Test roaming program? Are you a beta tester? How did you get chosen?
Cool!

Ive posted this information in some of the other regions, and didnt post it in this one, I dont know why. Most of the services are for this area anyway.

I see you live in Wisconsin....by chance are you in Milwaukee? Or is it Milwaukie? There is a town near Portland Oregon, called that too, but spelled different, and I dont know how to spell either!! If you are in Milwaukee, then you are able to add on the roaming option on your phone from Sprint.

Heres how to do it....

Call *2 TALK/SEND/CALL on your Sprint PCS handset, and tell Claire you wish to speak to a Representitive. When you are connected tell them you want to know about the Test Roaming Option that allows users to use 50% of calls off network. Tell them you live in Milwaukee Wisconsin, and they should be like.."Oh, here it is. For $10 you can use half your minutes (or calls...I dont remember if its QUANTITY of calls, or minutes, but I believe its CALLS, since most people are on Unlimited now) on any roaming provider in the US, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, and Guam, Long distance is included, but PCS to PCS minutes are not."

-Yes, thats a downside, 50% + of your phone usage must be ON Sprint PCS Network, or they will take the option away, and charge you the minutes based on what you used....

Just to review...

$10 - Off Network TEST roaming plan
Includes:
Long Distance charges from USA, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, and Guam.
Minutes can be used from ANY CDMA Digital/AMPS Analog provider phone picks up.
All roaming charges are inclusive, and you pay no excess fees.
50% of your usage MUST be on Sprint PCS Network in order to qualify.
Calls while roaming in Canada, Mexico, Hong Kong, South America, Central America, and The Caribbean (other then Puerto Rico, and USVI) are NOT included, and are subject to roaming, long distance charges, and international fees.

This test is set to expire on 3/31/03, however as far as I know, you may keep this test promotion as long as you are a customer with Sprint PCS.

[Gonz]

wow, that's cool... Yes, I live west of Milwaukee...I do not have sprint, but am interested in hearing about special deals, etc. (From any company). I am a High School Student, and am on a sharetalk plan with my parents. I'm thinking about finding a used phone on ebay to activate with Verizon. I have done some traveling, and am paying 69cents/minute to roam nationally. Of course, thats only once in awhile.

[mark777111]

Any more news on an updated prl for Alltel?

[DemoMan]

I was in the retail store today and I forgot to ask about the PRL....I know that it is on the way.....I am happy to report that they finally turned on the overlay in my area!!!!!!! Three days early too!!!!

What a great V-Day present...no more analog roaming!!!!

;-)

[Bsilvertab]

What is going in with Alltel? I have been with them since Sep of 2002 and I was told that the CDMA would be turned on in Manistee/Ludington areas by the end of the year. Then it got pushed back to Jan and then Feb. Early Feb Traverse City and Cadillac were completed but still nothing in the outlieing areas. Not everyone lives in Traverse or Cadillac. Last time I called Ludington said June! June? what is that??? I was very happy with Cellular One but switched because of their rediculus roaming rates. Is help on the way from the 8 hours of battery life and bad reception???

God Help us all!

BSilverTab

[DemoMan]

I hear your problems man and I can relate....I live on the verge of two systems....Alltel's heritage system and their newly purchased system that did belong to CenturyTel.....Now they have completed CDMA overlays in the CenturyTel area nearest to me, but it is still on the old switch until they can do some upgrades in Little Rock....Meaning I can't use the new digital area b/c it has a different system ID.

Anyone that has used Alltel for any length of time knows that they are a conservative company. They give conservative estimates on overlays as well. They may be saying June but only to cover their A$$ rather than disappoint you if it isn't done by April or whenever.....you have to remember that overlays are very expensive and that overlaying a rural area is difficult because you have to fill in so many gaps. I have seen some of the actual signal maps in my area and I have a better understanding of how things work after having seen them.

My recommendation for you is to contact your Vice President/General Manager of Alltel for the region. He/She should have an office at the main Alltel retail store. He/She would be more likely to have accurate information rather than just some sales person blowing smoke. I'm not sure exactly who the VP for your area would be, but I can probably find out if you have trouble finding out. E-Mail me at brad1@clearwave.ws

Let me know how things go,
Brad

[mark777111]

Any word on the Alltel prl update that was supposed to be released in early February?

[DemoMan]

Depending on what part of the country you are in, one has been released. My market, Sys ID 208, still uses 802......other markets now have a different PRL....I am not sure what the difference is. You can dial *611 and speak with customer service and find out what is the current PRL is for your area. Also, you can try dialing *228 when your phone has a digital signal and follow the prompts. Alltel has implemented Over The Air updating in some markets.


Brad