Am I really not able to get Alltel in Orlando, FL?

If Alltel says that they don't have a native network there and you will be charged roaming ($0.59/min according to their website.) then any MyCircle savings will be immediately wiped out. I just looked up an Orlando Zip code (32901) on Alltel's site and got this message: Sorry, we do not offer any service in ZIP code 32801.

There you have it. Alltel does not serve your area. Sorry...

-Jay

 

What Jay said is correct, Orlando FL is not an Alltel market. They have service going off to the west towards Tampa but their FL network does not go over into Orlando or the areas around it. You would not be able to get a local number for that area from Alltel. Normally they wont even let you set up new service in a non Alltel market. However if by some chance one of their reps did let you do so keep a few things in mind. You will not be able to get the PRL updates required for their rate plans. Since you wont be on or even near an Alltel tower, pressing *228 will be pointless. If you do press it there is a slight risk that is could screw you phone up. Second you do have the chance of roaming, and if you do get roaming since you set up service outside of an Alltel area. Alltel will not be able to be held liable for the charges, and you will have to pay them. Again unless by some chance you find a rep who will actually adjust them. Even then in that case you will have to most likely deal with only a one time adjustment. If you start having issues with the service and try to cancel you will have to pay the EDP for every single line. Just because you set up service outside of their network. Doesn't mean that they can't and won't hold you to the contract. Hands down their My Circle plans are better than T-Mobiles. In many areas where the two have service Alltel blows them away. Sadly it looks like with their lack of metro networks, you will most likely have to look at another carrier.

 

Yeah alltel doesn't have a license for Orlando. You would be able to run off Sprint's, and Verizon's towers free. But you would need to be in an alltel area to update the prl, unless you want to take the time to do it manually. Paid roaming wise....you should be fine but can't guarantee it. You will have to have a non-local number as well. Potentially, you could still use alltel and be fine. But it will be a little more work then just getting the phone and using.

 

Alltel was hoping to cover all of FL years back when At&t got bought by Cingular. Cingular has both cell bands in eastern FL. Alltel was getting ready to buy the at&t side from Cingular in FL. The FCC let them keep both. I will never understand that!

 

I still think that's insane. I wonder how many lobbyists they had to hire to get that from the FCC.

 

my job location is in the alltel network and so that one phone gets the updates at least once a week. but i have three other phones that have been used exclusively at my home 140 miles away and none of these has ever been in the home alltel area since the day i picked them up. and we've had no problems with any of them. i'm by far the biggest user in the family and we have total freedom plan which has no roaming. we've been customers for almost a year and a half. and my home is in an area with no alltel service, but we do have verizon and cingular.

 

Wow... I didnt know that Alltel was trying to buy the ATTWS licenses from them. I also hate that AT&T got to keep both 850 licenses when blue and orange merged... Alltel must hate their PCS license in the Jacksonville area

Unless the OP gets service in a neighboring area like Lakeland/Tampa, Ocala area, or Vero Beach, then the OP wont be able to get Alltel service.

 

Glad that you found a workaround... Any network problems will be on Sprint's or Verizon's end, but there shouldn't be too many bugs on their end in central Florida. Just give them a thorough test. I am unaware of Alltel's return policies... If they allow you to return the equipment at a store (if it doesnt work for you), that would be nice, although that would involve a short drive to Lakeland... if all else fails, you can ship it back although that would be inconvenient. Most of the carriers are reasonable with the fees, especially if you cancel before the trial ends, you just pay for the usage.

As far as AT&T getting a myCircle equivalent, I wouldn't count on it. They are signing up millions of customers yearly with few people leaving. So they have no need to outdo Alltel or TMobile at the moment.

I am tempted to move to Alltel myself since I live in an Alltel area, but the 2nd line is not in an Alltel area (mom lives 1 county over)... to top it off, she would have a local number (albeit a different one). I prefer that we be able to visit a corporate store without long drives in case she has problems with service or equipment... Just my two cents.

 

alltel does not refund the activation fees if you cancel in that two week period. and i believe you also must pay for the usage.