Verizon to buy Alltel for $28.1 Billion

[UFO]

Originally Posted by T Sizzles

I don't think they'll change, as in go up in price. The FCC and Sprint's lawyers would be on Verizon's ___ the second they did it.

But I'm also sure that Verizon's lawyers will be looking over it very closely looking for any possible loophole out to raise rates. I can see them stating the reasons now, bandwidth approaching capacity, increases in prices, copper prices went up, USF funding increased, USF funding decreased, alltel signed a 'reciprocal roaming agreement' but Sprint users roam much more on us than us on them creating a burden on our network, etc etc etc.

[Eric47]

Originally Posted by AnthroMatt

The same "problem" exists in nearly all of Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, and portions of California and Minnesota.

Originally Posted by cellular_freak

This would be a great merger, because it would place Verizon as the number one carrier in the country and those two networks combined would create a HUGE nationwide network with great call quality is most places.

However, it'll be interesting to see what'll happen in places where both Verizon and Alltel operate the in the cellular band in certain areas. There's a few places here in Michigan where that happens.

I also hope the FCC approves the RCC merger soon too. I'd really like to see Verizon take out Thumb Cellular while they're at taking Alltel out!

Originally Posted by Quint101

True... There are still lots of areas where AllTel and Verizon own both 850 licenses. In the rural parts of South Georgia, for instance, they're the only providers of wireless service as well. In some areas, this will fly, but in many others, the Feds and/or the states will intervene somehow.

Maybe this will be irrelevant if the carriers start to buildout their AWS spectrum.... ?

Originally Posted by shango

We already have Verizon in this area, so the spectrum would be divested and I would become a customer of company X. It would most likely be att. Lots of people would be in that situation.

you are all hitting on the right thing. even if it happens, ATT will probably benefit. which will balance back out things. not to mention there is a few places it would probably give them the advantage depending on the areas that things are divested.

[danny boi]

Originally Posted by KyleAndMelissa22

I still don't understand why Verizon had the same chance to buy Alltel last year,
but didn't even bid, or show any interest.

Now all of a sudden they changed their mind?

Verizon's CEO told reporters today that they had considered buying Alltel not once, not twice, but three times. They just didn't feel they'd reap the synergies or the best price for it during previous considerations and were hoping that with time it would become a more attractive asset.

This time, their patience paid off big time.

[KyleAndMelissa22]

Originally Posted by danny boi

Verizon's CEO told reporters today that they had considered buying Alltel not once, not twice, but three times. They just didn't feel they'd reap the synergies or the best price for it during previous considerations and were hoping that with time it would become a more attractive asset.

This time, their patience paid off big time.

I guess that makes sense, but Verizon would still pay $0.7 billion more
than the private investment firms did for Alltel.

I guess they just didn't want a bidding war,
but then again, it's just AT&T with the kind of money Verizon's got, and their networks are not compatible.
So IMO, Verizon would've probably been the only bidder.

[cowboytn]

when do you think it will be final and will alltel name change to verizon wireless

[RadioFoneGuy]

Both AT&T and Verizon will reap some benefits of the sale. Verizon will trade or sell off some overlap areas mostly likely to AT&T because they can kick in the cash.

AT&T could definately benefit from using the Western Wireless GSM (once overhauled) Network.

Verizon gets 850 overlap in some of their 1900 areas.

Verizon just build over 100 new sites (1900) in my area and a majority of them are on the same towers as Alltel and some inbetween, so they will have pretty smoking coverage once the smoke clears, plus have 1900 and 850 they will have enuff spectrum to run REV B.

Verizon did talk with Alltel while they were shopping the first time. The Verizon Techs up here said thats part of the reason they buillt the network because they didnt pick up Alltel the first time (Verizon was too cheap). But that just rumors Ive heard.

Alltel customers will be just like AT&T Wirless and Dobson and have to limp their phones around for years to come if they want to keep the cheaper rate plans. At least its easier on GSM. I could see Verizon making all kinds of excuse not to change an ESN, but the real one would be ARPU.

[RJB]

Originally Posted by cowboytn

when do you think it will be final and will alltel name change to verizon wireless

Well if/when the FCC gives the approval I would say by years end. Does anyone know when this will be reviewed by the FCC?

[bobolito]

Originally Posted by larry

Well either way they will still have to divest some areas to another carrier right? Obviously that will be AT&T.

Isn't anyone worried about higher prices in store for the future??

Sadly I think this is going to cause Sprint to be acquired by someone now which will also further reduce competition and lead to higher prices.

I feel the same way. This will plunge smaller carriers even more than what previous mergers have. I hope the FCC scrutinizes deeply on this transaction and listens to the upcoming wave of comments against this merger that will be posted on the FCC website. Just seeing "MyCircle" go away is sad enough. That will be a great incentive for T-Mobile do away with My Faves and Sprint remove their Pick-3. Bottomline, less competition, less options, higher prices. Although this will benefit Verizon in some areas of the country, like Florida and in the west.

Originally Posted by RJB

Well if/when the FCC gives the approval I would say by years end. Does anyone know when this will be reviewed by the FCC?

Well, the first step is now for both Verizon and Alltel to submit their applications to the FCC which will probably happen in the next few days, then the FCC has a timetable of 180 days to reach a decision. The DOJ and the FTC will also have to review it separately and will provide their input to the FCC. Once all three have reviewed the transaction, they make a recommendation on whether this merger is in the best interest of the public. Usually, this happens around the end of the 180-day timetable. If it is approved, it will usually come with certain conditions to please the demands of those opposed to the merger, such as agreements to keep roaming rates unchanged, or to divest certain areas. Only after the merger is approved then Verizon and Alltel can close the transaction (execute the merger) and then Verizon and Alltel can proceed merging their operations which will take months/years after that.

[blsemp]

I would love to see at&t get a hunk of the 850 mhz in South Carolina

[AnthroMatt]

Originally Posted by bobolito

That will be a great incentive for T-Mobile do away with My Faves and Sprint remove their Pick-3.

I have read more than a few reports stating that Sprint has already done away with Pick 3 as of about 2 weeks ago. There are reports that the codes necessary to add the feature have been removed from Sprint's system.

T-Mobile pioneered the idea with My Faves, so I am not certain they would do away with it. They were the only carrier offering it for a while, and it could continue to be a point of differentiation with them, similar to Rollover with at&t.

[treotosh]

Did they really buy attel? Because every thing i read or anybody i ask just said's "Verizon is just really looking in to buying attel wireless, but they have not done so yet." Is this true?

[larry]

Originally Posted by treotosh

Did they really buy attel? Because every thing i read or anybody i ask just said's "Verizon is just really looking in to buying attel wireless, but they have not done so yet." Is this true?

All they have done is reach an agreement with Alltel. Nothing will be official until at least 6 months from now pending review by the government.

[treotosh]

Originally Posted by larry

All they have done is reach an agreement with Alltel. Nothing will be official until at least 6 months from now pending review by the government.

Thanks Larry, sorry but there is no thanks button in this thread

[Quint101]

Maybe I'm overreaching here, maybe USCellular may step up and buy some properties that are adjacent to their markets, like the Carolinas... Time will tell I suppose.

[army1]

Originally Posted by KyleAndMelissa22

1-888-CALL-FCC. That should do it.
(1-888-225-5322)

thanks i'll call monday

[KyleAndMelissa22]

Originally Posted by blsemp

I would love to see at&t get a hunk of the 850 mhz in South Carolina

This is the one thing I hope doesn't happen.

Besides the AT&T 1900 license covers the whole state and is built out well enough.

All of South Carolina (Except for the Myrtle Beach area) has both 800 mhz bands as CDMA.
SunCom/T-Mobile has the 800 license near Myrtle Beach.
Alltel's 800 is the entire state of SC, Verizon is almost the same except 1900 only near Myrtle Beach,
and no Verizon in parts of the SE piedmont, like Chesterfield, Cheraw, USCC is there instead.

I hope we all get to keep our PRLs as well, or I'm never gonna dial *228 again.

[JasonWells]

In this area, where Verizon is purchasing Unicel, we are all being stripped of the Unicel perks and being placed on Verizon plans, which in turn cost much more $$$!! It has not been pleasant. I don't see Verizon doing anything they don't have to do, such as honoring MyCircle or 7pm N&W. They aren't in the Unicel buyout/takeover, so it doesn't seem likely they would on another. In fact, they are going to shut off the Unicel handsets and force a Verizon crippled handset on the customers. When I asking reps how Verizon can make a plan that is comparable to the Unicel plan they are taking away, the reps state that Verizon is the best, and I have to go with their terms and pay the $$$ if I want more minutes to cover the early N&W and unlimited incoming, etc. It is rediculous. No wonder they can buy so many companies, the customers are paying a lot for their plans. How upsetting this may be.

[army1]

i'm in my second month of a 2 yr.contract with alltel. all i have to
say is if this thing goes though verizion WILL honor my complete
contract if they want to get paid, or i'll just port my number out.

[RadioFoneGuy]

Here a good map from Mountain Wireless. You have to go into the 850 Maps to get a real good look, but just on the 850 side there is going to be a ton of divestments.

Cellular Map Source-Verizon and Alltel Combined Coverage