I need help in Southwestern Minnesota!

Hello and welcome to wireless advisor.

I would go ahead with the move to Alltel, the one you initially were going to go with for the best possible chance of having better coverage, although I should also say that I'm not really familiar with that area. For the quick and brief history though, Alltel sold their original network to Rural Cellular Corp because Alltel purchased Midwest Wireless. With that purchase, Alltel owned 2 networks which the FCC deemed monopolistic for the area. Therefore, Alltel was forced to sell a network to RCC-Unicel which was soon sold to Verizon and will eventually be converted over. However, in all areas that alltel sold a network to RCC, they are now running the former Midwest Wireless network. Of course, Alltel chose to get rid of the network that had fewer customers and less solid coverage, so they would probably be the best bet for coverage at this point. But there are no areas that Alltel is just packing up shop and leaving. So alltel should still be available throughout your area and with a better network than they previously held.

I hope that made sense and good luck with your situation.

 

I wonder how many problems people will have with the different network channels between the 2 carriers in that area?

Since VZW runs the B network in ND, SD, and most of MN(except Southern) and Alltel runs the A network in the same areas (except for the B network in Southern MN).

How many problems will there be along the SD/MN border? Dropped calls, handoff problems, etc?

I'm curious, since this same problem would probably happen along the entire state between the Dakotas and Wisconsin.

 

Which network did Alltel sell off, the Midwest Wireless or the Western Western wireless system? In my experience the Midwest wireless system was very good in southern MN, so if Alltel kept that one, I would get Alltel if it were me. I never used the WW system in southern MN, but have used their system in northern Mn and it was also very good, so I suppose really you probably can't go wrong with either choice. One thing to also consider, if nationwide coverage will ever be a concern for you, going with RCC now and getting absorbed into Verizon over the next year might not be a bad idea.

 

Hey Buickman,

ALLTEL bought the Midwest Wireless system as far as I know. Hope this helps.

 

Alltel kept the Midwest Wireless network. The problem with the the A network in Sourthern MN is that 3 different companies owned the region. WW bought Hickory Tech(TDMA) and Great Western(TDMA/AMPS) roaming carrier in South Eastern MN. I'm not even sure they got everything integrated and upgraded to CDMA before the mergers started.

So now Verizon gets to invest $$$ into the area to bring the network up to a usable state. But since they only get the budget for maybe 6 new towers a year in MN, it might be a while.

 

I reside in SW Minn. The former Midwest Wireless network was very good. Alltel has continued its good reputation, and there are many happy customers of Alltel in this area. I started with CellOne (WW), which then became Alltel, which is currently Unicel, which will become Verizon in February. In the areas I have used the Unicel network, it has been fine. Roaming is good, and plans are priced well. N&W mins can start at 6pm for $5. I am quite happy, and Unicel has plans to add 20 new cell sites in fringe areas!

Now the bad news.. Verizon bought Unicel (RCC). I, and many others, are concerned with being forced to new plans, which are expensive, and VZW doesn't even offer the option of earlier N&W mins. VZW scrapped the plans for the 20 new cell sites, and may force customers to buy new VZW phones, which are crippled up and without features. And chances are, if you are already well into your contract term with VZW, but need to change your plan, VZW will renew the 2-yr agreement--beware of that.

So, it would be my recommendation to try Alltel, which includes 'my circle' and early N&W mins, plus national plans that seem to have better coverage than VZW. And in MN, the phone will use the great B-side network. If you can get a new Sprint phone that has the option of 'roam only', it might be fine. I am not sure of your situation, but just a thought. Others may elaborate on that more. Good luck with your decision!