Department of Justice approves Verizon's Alltel acquisition, requires more concessions

The suits at the Department of Justice just green-lighted Verizon's planned acquisition of regional rival Alltel, moving the two CDMA giants closer to a marriage that would easily eclipse AT&T to become the largest wireless carrier in North America. There's a catch, though, and a rather hefty one at that -- Verizon has to agree to divest itself of some 100 local markets in 22 states to keep the competitive landscape in action; given that they've already indicated a willingness to shed some markets to seal the deal, it probably won't be an issue. The next hurdle for Vertel (or Allzon, depending on how you roll) will come on November 4, when the FCC votes on whether it'll bless the deal. As for the rumors that Verizon is now eligible to get Alltel at a 50 percent discount with a $1 billion mail-in rebate if it agrees to a two-year contract, we're not hearing any comment from either side.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 30th 2008 10:00PM]

word son

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 31st 2008 1:07AM]

I'm confused. Does that mean they're gonna sell the verizon stuff and keep the alltel stuff? so there may still be coverage if there was alltel coverage there? Or does that mean i'm gonna be roaming completely where i once had verizon service? then what? i'm gonna roam on sprint's network?

[egloskerry Posted Oct 31st 2008 5:30PM]

Yeah, Big Red, the second largest carrier in the country, is gonna be dissolved in a regional.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 31st 2008 2:32AM]

I, too, have some basic questions about that: my parents have been paying for my cellphone (Freshman in College) via our Alltel family plan. They're in NE Nevada, and I"m in Utah (I'm in the extended home area, so I'm not roaming.)
Now, if Alltel gets bought by Verizon, what does that mean for us? Does it mean that everything goes through verizon, and more importantly, if they have to de-invest in the area where our plan is based out of....well, just what does that mean? Do they tear down the towers, or what?

Anyways...I'm confused. Anyone care to help me out?

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 31st 2008 7:27AM]

I work for [the evil] AT&T, and have been a T=mobile customer for more than four years. What will the combined two present to the cowsumer markets that will compete against the iPhone and G1? Blackberry is not a solution, but an annoyance [to me]. Maybe if the married couple could offer the HTC Touch HD ... I can be tempted.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 31st 2008 9:00AM]

ghost if you dont like the VZW phones stay with Tmobile. they are coming out with new phones but you cant please everyone. VZW is soon to launch the Touch Pro, Blackberry Storm, Samsung Omnia, and Samsung Saga. thats enough touch screen love to please 95% of people but if you prefer the iphone and g1 (neither of which can even record a video) then stay where you are.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 31st 2008 10:47AM]

Many changes are most likely years away. However when the merger is truly complete Alltell customer will be considered Verizon customers and will get to enjoy the range and consistency of the Verizon network. If you still have an alltel branded phone at that time your phone may go into "roaming" but you will not be charged anything extra for that. Something that Big Red will have to work on with the roaming stuff is the way it counts the minutes on your plan. Currently if you are roaming on Verizon's network (which by the way RARELY happens) you accrue minutes even if you are talking to an "IN" network subcriber. These are the type of things why the merger will not be complete for years, the provisioning and billing systems are will be what takes the longest to complete and figure out.

Verizon does not have an "extended home network" they consider the entire US your home calling network.

They are being required to sell off certain things and different markets to keep with up market diversity. But i really don't see many, if any customer (VZW or Alltel) being affected by this from a coverage standpoint. Chances are many of the towers Alltel subcribers are using at Verizon owned.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 1st 2008 12:19AM]

Not true Mark.....

Back when I had Verizon, there were parts of SE Michigan that I got "Extended Area" on my phone. Blissfield, MI (Lenawee County) is one area that comes to mind.....