Rising Text Message rates

In my uninformed opinion, I’d call some of this an excuse to “assist” users into buying unlimited plans and to offset users preferring to send SMS messages instead of using more expensive voice minutes.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A key member of the Senate Judiciary Committee is asking the nation’s top four wireless carriers to justify the “sharply rising rates” they charge people to send and receive text messages.

In letters to top executives at Verizon Wireless, AT&T Inc., Sprint Nextel Corp. and T-Mobile, Wisconsin Democrat Herb Kohl said Tuesday that he is concerned that rising text messaging rates reflect decreasing competition in the wireless business.

Kohl chairs the Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights. His inquiry comes as European Commission regulators are threatening to impose a cap on roaming fees for text messages sent by Europeans traveling outside of their home nations, in an effort to force prices down by as much as 70 percent.

Kohl said he was concerned that consumers are paying more than 20 cents per message, up from 10 cents in 2005. This increase, he said, “does not appear to be justified by rising costs in delivering text messages,” which are small data files that are inexpensive for carriers to transmit.

Kohl said he is particularly concerned that all four of the companies appear to have adopted identical price increases at nearly the same time. “This conduct is hardly consistent with the vigorous price competition we hope to see in a competitive marketplace,” he wrote.

Kohl also noted that these rate hikes have occurred during the industry’s recent consolidation, which has reduced the number of national wireless carriers in the U.S. to four from six. That consolidation continues, he said, as the large national wireless carriers buy out smaller, regional competitors _ as evidenced most recently by Verizon Wireless’ planned acquisition of Alltel Corp. for $5.9 billion plus the assumption of $22.2 billion in debt.

Verizon Wireless, a joint venture of Verizon Communications Inc. and Vodafone Group PLC, said it will respond to Kohl’s letter once it has had a chance to review it. And Sprint said “we look forward to responding to the Senator’s inquiry about the text messaging options we offer our customers and we will fully cooperate with his request.”

T-Mobile, which is owned by Deutsche Telekom AG, and AT&T did not immediately return calls seeking comment.

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Alltel Wireless nabs the BlackBerry Curve 8330

Alltel is kicking it into high gear with their smartphone offerings and today, they added a killer phone to their lineup in the BlackBerry Curve 8330.

Alltel Wireless, America’s largest network, today announced that the BlackBerry Curve 8330 smartphone from Research In Motion (RIM) will be available in Alltel retail stores May 1. Starting today, the BlackBerry Curve 8330 is available online for pre-order at shopalltel.com/curve.  This sleek, titanium-colored smartphone, will keep customers connected to the people and information that matter most, as well as provide them with added flexibility and freedom to manage their busy schedules.

For what I consider a smaller US carrier, Alltel really seems to be going after the smartphone market and I have to say, I LIKE IT. Alltel’s Windows Mobile Presense is really awesome too.

Alltel’s Lime Green Motorola Q9c Coming Soon!

What’s more beautiful that a sunset over the ocean? A lime green Windows Mobile device. Yep. This device exsists. It’s the “coming soon” Altel branded, Motorola Q9c. This phone will soon be offered by Alltel, but if green is not your bag, then they will have a boring black one too.

Come on HTC, see this lime green? I want one of your sliders in the same color!

Alltel Wireless, America’s largest network, and Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) today announced that Motorola’s leading smartphone will be available in two color options, MOTO QTM 9c in licorice and MOTO QTM 9c lime, expected this summer. MOTO Q 9c and MOTO Q 9c lime provide on-the-go consumers with the tools and applications needed to keep up with their fast-paced professional and personal lives.

“MOTO Q 9c and MOTO Q 9c lime are great additions to Alltel’s portfolio of handsets,” said Brian Ullem, vice president of device strategy for Alltel Wireless. “This new generation Motorola smartphone provides customers with a powerful platform and a large suite of applications allowing convenience and productivity.”

Check the press release at Motorola.com (image source Mobile Burn)

Alltel Wireless Announces Addition of Samsung Muse to Line-up

Alltel Wireless and Samsung announced today that the Samsung Muse is now available in Alltel Wireless retail stores and online at shopalltel.com. The Samsung Muse enables music lovers to always have their favorite music tunes within reach.

The midnight blue Muse is a sleek flip-phone providing customers with high-quality sound as well as the ability to store with up to 65MB of internal memory. The Muse has a dedicated music key, which provides users with immediate access to an MP3 player, music library, ringtones, and a free trial offer to preview 20 popular satellite music channels on Alltel’s XM Radio Mobile service. Additionally, the Muse features Alltel’s Axcess TV, GPS-based Axcess Mobile Guide, a 2.0 megapixel camera with video and stereo Bluetooth technology for customers wanting a total multimedia experience.

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Alltel Wireless and Pandora Team Up to Bring Music Discovery to Customers

New Online Campaign Asks Website Visitors to Share Favorite Local Bands, Musical Styles

Today, Pandora Media, the premier provider of personalized radio service online, and Alltel Wireless, America’s largest network, launched an innovative marketing campaign where Pandora users in specific Alltel Wireless markets will be invited to submit their favorite hometown bands on Pandora’s website (www.pandora.com). On the homepage, an Alltel Wireless ad asks its customers and consumers nationwide to join a collaborative effort to create Alltel Wireless branded, local music stations across the country to promote distinct, regional music styles and the local artists who play them. Users can then share their personal stations, songs or favorite musical groups with others.

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Alltel Wireless Launches the Exclusive Glimmer by LG

Touch Screen Phone Combines Music and Media with Form and Function

Alltel Wireless, America’s largest network, providing coverage across the nation, and LG Electronics MobileComm U.S.A., Inc. (LG Mobile Phones) today announced that the highly anticipated Glimmer by LG will be exclusively available in Alltel retail stores and online at shopalltel.com beginning tomorrow, March 13. With a slide-out keypad and touch-screen interface, the LG Glimmer incorporates traditional phone functions with the latest multimedia features.

The LG Glimmer is loaded with a 2 MP camera with video capabilities, an MP3 player with customizable equalizer, an expandable memory slot and is GPS capable. This slick phone is rich with several of Alltel’s Axcess applications including Alltel Navigation, Axcess Search, CityID and Axcess TV. In addition, users can listen to their favorite music while utilizing other multimedia features on the phone, such as taking photos, recording video or sending text messages. The Glimmer also features 3D graphics support and 128MB of internal memory.

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Alltel Wireless Launches Voicemail MAX

New 9 Squared service provides Alltel customers with ability to personalize voicemail greetings with famous voices and favorite celebrities from Warner Music Group and MTV Networks

Alltel Wireless today announced it will offer Voicemail MAX, an application which enables customers to personalize outgoing voicemail greetings with the voices of Hollywood stars, comedians, celebrity impersonators, and top-selling music artists. Developed by 9 Squared, a Zed Company and leading provider of mobile content in the U.S., Voicemail MAX features content from Larry the Cable Guy, Steve Harvey, Orlando Jones, T.I., and popular voices from COMEDY CENTRAL’S “RENO 911!”

 

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Alltel Gets The HTC Touch

You might have seen some rumors swirling that Alltel was going to have the HTC Touch soon, but now it’s official. Alltel is really impressing me with their phone selections. Alltel gets left out of the conversation when discuss the big 4 US Carriers (AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, and T-Mobile), but they have just as many hot Windows Mobile Phones as T-Mobile and doing quite well compared to CDMA rival, Sprint.

Alltel Wireless rings in the New Year by adding the HTC Touch
Touch-screen smartphone opens new world of communication

Games, photos, shopping and email are now just a touch away as Alltel Wireless, America’s largest network, providing coverage across the nation, today announced that the HTC Touch, a Windows Mobile 6.0 smartphone, is now available at shopalltel.com and Alltel retail stores.

The compact and stylish HTC Touch provides customers with a new way to stay connected and access music, photos, information, games and more.  This sophisticated smartphone is easy to operate by using a finger to simply swipe or tap the innovative touch-screen “cube” interface.  Alltel’s HTC Touch features four panels on the “cube,” including an Alltel-exclusive panel that provides customers with quick access to the latest smartphone applications to personalize their phones and help do more on the go. Customers can also customize the phone with ringtones, themes and games, in addition to pre-programmed links to shopping applications. 

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CES 2008: Alltel Wireless Launches AAA Mobile Navigation and Search Tool

Powered by Networks In Motion, GPS Application Offers AAA TourBook Guide Travel Information, Navigation, Roadside Assistance on Mobile Phone

Alltel Wireless today announced AAA Mobile is now available for download through Alltel’s Axcess Shop. The GPS application enables Alltel customers, including both AAA members and non-members, to find AAA Approved points of interest and other locations as well as quickly access AAA member roadside assistance from their GPS-enabled Alltel phones. To see a demo of AAA Mobile, visit the AAA station in Qualcomm’s booth #30320 during CES in Las Vegas through Jan. 10.

The AAA Mobile application, available for $9.99 per month or $2.99 per day, allows subscribers to receive visual and audible directions to destinations in the U.S. by using their Alltel Wireless phones. Additionally, AAA Mobile lets subscribers perform a variety of functions which include:

• Locating AAA Approved points of interest (POIs), including Diamond Rated hotels and restaurants.
• Searching more than 100,000 locations that offer AAA member savings.
• Reviewing detailed AAA descriptions for POIs on their phones.
• Accessing a map showing a destination on the mobile phone screen.
• Adding locations as favorites for quick recall in the future.

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Alltel to get the HTC Touch

I have to say that I am impressed. Alltel is landing some very nice Windows Mobile Phones. They have the Mogul and the updated version of the HTC Vox already, now they are getting the Touch. Although I don’t like the Touch much personally, a lot of average consumers are eating this one up. Now it’s available on Sprint and Alltel for you CDMA folks!

Head over to Alltel’s website for more info. ( Link )

Source : Engadget Mobile

Alltel and the Goo Goo Dolls Rocked Phoenix

Remember the Free Goo Goo Dolls concert Alltel was throwing in Arizona? Well, it’s come and gone and here are the photos of this event. Looks like a great time was had by those that showed up in Phoenix! More than 2,000 Phoenix area residents enjoyed a free Goo Goo Dolls concert courtesy of Alltel Wireless at the Scottsdale Civic Center Plaza in Scottsdale, Ariz. on Saturday, December 8, 2007. Through this once in a lifetime concert, Alltel Wireless wanted to thank Phoenix consumers for their support and the tremendous growth it is experiencing in the Phoenix area.

More after the break…

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The Alltel Motorola MOTOROKR Z6m

  A Mobile Phone Review at Gear Diary

I like Motorola products and I love the "Z" series of devices.  I use a Z8 and am continually impressed with the responsiveness and functionality of the device.  So when I see another in the series, I always look.  Judie has a nice review up that you might like if you are looking for that spare phone to fill a need for music and have a slick form factor while on the go.  There is a very nice YouTube video in the review giving a quick overview of feature high-lights that I think you will enjoy … great music choice Judie!

Although the Alltel Motorola MOTOROKR Z6m fits into what I consider to be this “dumb-phone” category, it certainly does not fall short on features. It offers a 2 megapixel camera with video, has a built-in graphic equalized MP3 player, it is stereo Bluetooth capable, it has a microSD slot which can handle up to a 2GB card, and it offers access to Celltop - Alltel’s new graphically pleasing information manager.

Check out the Alltel Motorola MOTOROKR Z6m Mobile Phone Review here at Gear Diary

Alltel Wireless Launches “TimecardGPS” Business Tracking and Timesheet Application

Alltel Wireless announced today the availability of TimecardGPS, an application that enables users to track an employee’s location, record shift time and capture job or work order information from LBS-enabled wireless phones.

The TimecardGPS application, available for $12.49 per handset per month, allows business professionals to increase productivity by using their wireless device to perform a variety of important tasks, including:

• Tracking - Enables supervisors to request field workers’ locations, track movement and set up “smart fences” to determine employee location
• Team Clock-in and Out - Allows a supervisor to clock-in and clock-out employees as well as capture individual task information on a single wireless device
• Real-time job tracking - Sends real-time job information from field workers to employers, complete with tasks, subtasks and editable fields
• Customized reports - Supplies electronic reports with payroll, job costing and productivity information
• Web log-in - Provides real-time access to field workers’ positions, timesheet and job information via the Internet

“In today’s fast-paced business environment, there is a need for supervisors to have rapid access to information regarding their field employees and their progress,” said David Maddox, director of advanced data solutions for Alltel Wireless. “The TimecardGPS application provides a supervisor instant information on an employee’s exact location and job completion data.”

For more information on TimecardGPS, please visit www.alltelsolutions.com/timecardgps.

Source: Alltel press release

Alltel Wireless + Goo Goo Dolls = Free Concert

We are starting to see a lot of companies featuring big ticket bands in their PR efforts. At CES 2006, I had a chance to see the Killers at a Microsoft / MTV after party, CES 2007 brought 3 Doors Down in for a free 1 hour acoustic concert (which my video was removed from Soapbox for copyright violation recently. MY VIDEO THAT I SHOT. Oh well.), but nothing beats the event that Sandisk put on a few weeks ago. Linkin Park in an intimate envoirment was very sweet.

Well, the newest is Alltel Wireless and the Goo Goo Dolls joining up to offer a free concert for 2000 or so in Phoenix. Unfortunately, I will not get a chance to take up this invite, but I am sure others will have a blast. The Goo Goo Dolls are an awesome band. Read on for the press release…

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Alltel and Motorola Debut the MOTOROKR Z6m

Alltel Wireless, America’s largest network, providing coverage across the nation, and Motorola (NYSE:  MOT) today announced the MOTOROKR Z6m, with an exclusive XM Radio Mobile cell, is now available at shopalltel.com and Alltel Wireless retail locations.  

This stylish slider is the ultimate phone for music lovers, featuring an integrated MP3 player with up to 2GB of optional removable memory for the ability to store up to 1,000 songs, 3.5 mm headset jack, stereo Bluetooth connectivity and USB 2.0 high speed connectivity for fast file transfers.  Additionally, the phone supports a wide-range of audio formats including MP3, AAC, AAC+ and WMA. 

The MOTOROKR Z6m also features Alltel’s exclusive award-winning Celltop technology, which offers customers an easier way to access, manage and organize a wide range of information already available on their phones.  The phone is pre-loaded with 10 cells including an exclusive XM Radio Mobile cell, delivering 20 channels of streaming XM Radio Mobile, with simple controls for navigating through channels, for only $7.99 per month.  Customers can enjoy a free seven-day trial of XM Radio Mobile (airtime charges apply).  In addition to Celltop, other features include:

• A unique “Tattoo” on the back of the phone and keypad
• TeleNAV GPS Navigator - delivering a powerful and easy-to-use navigation tool for wireless phones
• Axcess Search - allowing customers to search for ringtones, wallpaper or other information on their phones by simply holding down the pound key
• Stereo Bluetooth� support
• 2 megapixel camera with video capabilities
• Expandable optional removable memory slot
• 3.5 mm headset jack- allowing customers to use their own music headphones

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