However, a new image of the device infers that maybe the device isn’t destined to fade away, but, rather, make an appaerance on regional carrier Alltell.

Of course, the only branding in the leaked image is on a homescreen wallpaper, which is hardly concrete (or even mudbrick) evidence, but it’s still worth noting, as we’ve not seen a Verizon related leak about the device in quite a while.

Back in November, we heard that it had been delayed until Q1 this year, in order to fit an LTE radio, so we’ll soon see if those rumours pan out, or if the device really did get the axe from Verizon.

Droid Life sourced the image, and also note that Alltell may also be getting the DROID X. It’s great to see some stellar phones are making it out to the regional carriers.

[via Into Mobile]

J.D Power and Associates just issued Volume 2 of their Wireless Customer Care report, which runs from January to June of 2009.

It’s a big three-way tie this time around, with T-Mobile, Alltel, and Verizon all taking a victory lap. AT&T follows behind with an “About Average” (3/5) rating, while Sprint stumbles with a paltry 2/5.

At this point, T-Mobile can pretty much build a small fort out of these little glass trophies, having taken one home 9 out of the last 10 reports. Don’t be too surprised if these things start popping on the garage sale circuit.

I pity the poor rural cellphone owner. First Verizon snapped up Alltel and something called Rural Cellular and now AT&T grabbed those 1.5 million subscribers in a $2.35 billion deal.

The states included in this deal are Alabama, Colorado, Iowa, and the Dakotas, among others. AT&T is also selling some of its markets in Louisiana and Mississippi to Verizon.

Are you affected by this change? Tell us about your service and what AT&T told you when you got sold.

The fraternal twin of Sprint’s Rumor², Alltel’s 4.4oz LG Banter is a poor man’s smartphone, complete with Alltel email, Yahoo! and AOL instant messaging apps, and a “chat-style messaging interface.” The CDMA slider candy bar offers up to 300 minutes of talk time with some 288 hours of standby.

Now, if only we could do something about their amazing irritating commercials…

Notable features include:

• Sliding 4-line QWERTY keyboard
• Changeable face and back plates (blue and silver)
• Chat-style text messaging
• 1.3 MP camera
• MP3 Player
• microSD Memory Port – 16GB Support
• Bluetooth Wireless Technology
• Celltop ready
• Alltel Shop

The FCC’s stamp of approval doesn’t come without strings attached, however. Amongst other conditions, Verizon will be required to maintain any roaming agreements Alltel has with other carriers for at least four years.

Read more at MobileCrunch >>

The FCC’s stamp of approval doesn’t come without strings attached, however. Amongst other conditions, Verizon will be required to maintain any roaming agreements Alltel has with other carriers for at least four years. FCC Chairman Kevin Martin originally requested that roaming agreements would be honored for two years, and Verizon responded with the offer to honor them for four. This still wasn’t quite enough for some; though the vote passed 5-0, 2 of those who voted yes dissented, feeling that the roaming agreements should be required for at least seven years.

Before the merger, Verizon had roughly 70.8 million subscribers. With Alltel bringing around 13 million new subscribers to their door, this brings Verizon’s total up to approximately 83.8 million, dethroning AT&T (with 74.8 million) from the number one spot.

What does this mean to Verizon/Alltel customers? Well, “the network” just got a whole lot bigger – Alltel customers will soon have an additional 71 million people or so they can call without gobbling up their minutes. Beyond that, both groups gain access to the other’s device lineup, with Alltel customers now able to take advantage of Verizon’s bring-your-own-handset “Open Development” program.

Oh, and you also get a big intangible with any Alltel product — one of the dreamiest spokespeople in the wireless industry; that Chad guy. How in the hell does he do that with his hair? It’s beautiful.

Full release after the jump…

Alltel Wireless Lets Customers Move to Their Own Beat with the LG Rhythm

Alltel launches next generation Bluetooth™ music phone

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. & SAN DIEGO -Alltel Wireless, America’s largest network, and LG Electronics MobileComm U.S.A., Inc. (LG Mobile Phones) announced today that the LG Rhythm is available in Alltel retail stores and online at shopalltel.com. The LG Rhythm was created with music enthusiasts in mind and is equipped with one of the most advanced music systems available.

Sleek and stylish, the LG Rhythm offers customers a premium music player with Digital Signal Processing as well as a graphic equalizer professionally tuned by Mr. Mark Levinson. The phone also includes an FM transmitter that easily streams songs to a car stereo or other receiver from up to 10 feet away. The LG Rhythm also comes with a 3.5 mm stereo headset with a microphone that allows users to easily toggle between music and incoming calls.

“We recognize our customers are seeking a multifunctional handset that is both fun to use and enhances their mobile lifestyle,” said Brian Ullem, vice president of device strategy for Alltel Wireless. “With the introduction of the LG Rhythm, Alltel remains dedicated to providing customers with entertainment-focused handsets and a world class wireless experience.”

“The LG Rhythm is a great option for consumers who are looking for a multi-faceted music phone with premium sound,” said Ehtisham Rabbani, vice president of product strategy & marketing for LG Mobile Phones. “There is no question that consumers crave more out of their mobile devices and LG continues to bring the features and functions that truly enhance their mobile lives.”

Possessing the functionality of a wireless phone with the entertainment options of an MP3 player, the LG Rhythm is an ideal handset for both work and play. With 120 MB of internal memory, users can store their favorite songs or video files and conveniently access the files using a designated music hot key and 1-inch circular touchscreen. Other features include a 2-inch main LCD display screen, a 1.3 megapixel camera with zoom and camcorder, Bluetooth 2.0 capabilities, background music mode and a microSD external memory port supporting up to 16 GB.

Alltel Wireless is offering the LG Rhythm in black or white for $119.99 after $50 mail-in-rebate and a two-year service agreement. Beginning today, the LG Rhythm is available in Alltel retail stores and online at shopalltel.com.

Alltel Wireless continues to provide choice and flexibility to the customer’s wireless experience with its exclusive “My Circle” feature, giving customers unlimited calling to and from any five, 10 or 20 numbers on any network for free. Alltel Wireless was also the first to offer Anytime Plan Changes, giving customers the flexibility to change their calling plans at any time, without extending their current contract.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 5, 2008

VERIZON WIRELESS TO ACQUIRE ALLTEL; WILL EXPAND NATION’S MOST RELIABLE WIRELESS NETWORK

Verizon Wireless has entered into an agreement with Alltel Corporation and Atlantis Holdings LLC, an affiliate of private investment firm TPG Capital and GS Capital Partners, to acquire Alltel Corporation in a cash merger. Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD).

Under the terms of the agreement, Verizon Wireless will acquire the equity of Alltel for approximately $5.9 billion. Based on Alltel’s projected net debt at closing of $22.2 billion, the aggregate value of the transaction is $28.1 billion.

The parties are targeting completion of the merger by the end of the year, subject to obtaining regulatory approvals.

Once this transaction closes, customers of both companies will have access to an expanded range of products and services, including a premier lineup of basic and advanced devices and an expanded IN Network calling community. Alltel customers also will benefit from advanced services including over-the-air downloadable music from a three-million-song library, and a network that is nationwide, for a uniform coast-to-coast experience. They also will be able to take advantage of industry-leading consumer policies, including Test Drive and Worry Free Guarantee®.

“This move will create an enhanced platform of network coverage, spectrum and customer care to better serve the growing needs of both Alltel and Verizon Wireless customers for reliable basic and advanced broadband wireless services,” said Lowell McAdam, Verizon Wireless president and chief executive officer.

Alltel serves more than 13 million customers in markets in 34 states. This includes 57 primarily rural markets that Verizon Wireless does not serve. The transaction puts the Alltel markets and customers on a path to advanced 4th generation services as Verizon Wireless deploys LTE technology throughout its network over the next several years. Alltel’s customers also will reap the benefits of Verizon Wireless’ Open Development initiative, which welcomes third-party devices and services to use the Verizon Wireless network.

Verizon Communications, the owner of the majority stake in Verizon Wireless, expects that the transaction will be immediately accretive, excluding transaction and integration costs. “This is a perfect fit, with Alltel’s high-value post-paid customer base, its solid financials, our common network technology, and significant, readily attainable synergies,” said Ivan Seidenberg, Verizon chief executive officer and chairman of the Verizon board. “Verizon Wireless’ acquisition of Alltel clearly provides opportunities for enhanced value for Verizon shareholders.”

Alltel President and Chief Executive Officer Scott Ford will continue in his current position as head of Alltel until the merger is completed.

“Both Alltel and Verizon Wireless have long track records of delivering a high-quality customer experience in the marketplace,” Ford said. “The combination of our two companies will continue and improve upon that heritage as, together, we can more quickly deliver an expanded range of innovative products and services to our customers.”

Verizon Wireless expects to realize synergies with a net present value, after integration costs, of more than $9 billion driven by reduced capital and operating expense savings. Synergies are expected to generate incremental cost savings of $1 billion in the second year after closing.

Alltel and Verizon Wireless both use a common network technology, which provides advantages of a seamless transition for Alltel customers, ease in integrating the two companies’ networks, and scale efficiencies in operating the larger integrated network.

Morgan Stanley acted as financial advisor to Verizon Wireless on this transaction and is providing bridge financing. Debevoise & Plimpton LLP acted as legal advisor to Verizon Wireless.

Citibank, Goldman Sachs and RBS advised the sellers on the transaction. Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz acted as legal advisor to Alltel, and Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP and Ropes & Gray LLP acted as legal advisors to the sellers.

Alltel, the little carrier that could, is in talks with Verizon to merge this year. Verizon is expected to pay eight times Alltel’s EBITDA (“Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization”). How much that is we do not know but it’s definitely more than fifty dollars.

UPDATE – The deal could be about $27 billion, according to Reuters.

No love for CDMA. Alltel, which this map shows as being popular in what us latte-drinking, east coast elite call “fly-over country,” has committed its 4G future to LTE, a GSM technology. While the transition is still a ways away—like, three to five years away—the corp’s COO cautioned that “you should not expect to see us talking about 4G anytime at least in 2008.”

Basically, Alltel, one day, will move toward LTE. Just don’t ask about it for a few years.

The best is that we’re already talking about 4G when 3G hasn’t even rolled out yet for most folks.

I’m guessing that the “licorice” version is a little more subdued, although Motorola’s press release didn’t indicate whether it was red or black licorice. If it’s blazingly bright red in color, you’re going to have to decide which is the lesser of two evils for you. Luckily, it’s black licorice. Trust me.

The Q9c for the Alltel network will be available sometime this summer for $99 after a $100 mail-in rebate and two-year service agreement.

Look for a full review next week.

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This morning Alltel announced the addition of the clamshell Samsung Muse to their lineup. The music-centric Muse has a dedicated music key and is a shade of midnight blue. Other features include an MP3 player with 64MB of internal memory, 2-megapixel camera (video), GPS, stereo Bluetooth and access to Alltel’s XM mobile radio service, the Muse doesn’t sound all that bad. It goes for a mere $90.

[photopress:scaled.Front_View___Open.JPG,thumb,pp_image]

Alltel

MicroSD, 3G, and a 2-Megapixel camera round out this attractive phone, and it should be out in about a month.

Alltel to hop touchscreen bandwagon with LG [Electronista]

I have met only one person in my life who uses Alltel and she was from the deep dark South, so maybe this post is for her.

Ryan Newman won the Daytona 500 at the weekend; he was alarmingly gracious when I saw him on SportsCenter. (Larry the Cable Guy insists that the race is pretty much sacred in the South. I trust his opinion.) How does this tie into Alltel?

Alletl is Newman’s main sponsor. What else could it have been?

In celebration of Newman’s win—it was the 50th anniversary of the race—Alltell will give 500 bonus minutes to new subscribers and current subscribers who add an additional line to their account. Alltel’s also giving away a Samsung Hue with the purchase of one—buy one, get one free. Easy enough.

Alltel

For $3.99 per month (or $9.99 for three months), you can stream and simultaneously synchronize music files on your computer to your phone. There’s a piece of software that you install on your computer that manages the connection to your phone and you use the mSpot Remix mobile client on the phone itself.

According to the mSpot website, “A consumer hits ‘play’ from the mSpot Remix mobile client, and Remix immediately starts streaming songs while it downloads the track – and the rest of the playlist – in the background. Remix then saves the songs to the phone’s memory card.”

Seems simple enough and worth the $3 to $4 per month if you’re going to use your phone to listen to a bunch of music although I wish the nice PR lady who sent this over hadn’t started the e-mail by saying, “Is the iPod doomed?” I’d say this service isn’t dooming anything quite yet. The auto-synchronization feature is nice, though.

The ROKR is currently the only Alltel phone supported, although there are plans to launch the service on other phones as they’re released throughout the year.

Alltel’s Over-the-Air Music Syncing Service to Be Powered by mSpot [Marketwire]

All 32 professional teams and their players are featured on Team Tailgate. Users can get their favorite players to perform videogame quality animations such as taunts, big hits and end zone celebrations whenever the phone is opened. Players will throw, catch and kick in a variety of 3D animations. New content and animations are downloaded automatically twice a month so the animation doesn’t become too repetitive.

Player cards with statistics and biography are accessible for every player. The entire NFL schedule is posted, with your team’s next game highlighted with 3D crashing helmets animation. Animated wallpapers and dialing skin can be setup that go beyond the initial screen and into the actual dialing interface.

“Football fans are truly passionate about their teams and favorite players,
so we’re delivering high-quality content that they can be proud to host on
their handsets,” said Emdigo President Steve Gleitsmann. “We’re honored that
both Verizon Wireless and Alltel Communications are recognizing the
uniqueness of Emdigo’s 3D phone screensavers by awarding NFL Team Tailgate a
coveted top deck position on their networks.”

If you are someone who likes to talk smack while wearing you team’s logo, NFL Team Tailgate 3D is the service for you. I don’t know why it took three weeks into the season for Verizon and Alltel to offer Tailgate 3D, but there is still time for 13 games and the playoffs for you to show the team colors. Although, if you are a Lions fan like me, a playoff spot feels hopeless after last Sunday’s crushing defeat to the Eagles. I wonder if Tailgate 3D has animations that include foreseeable interceptions, flaccid tackling and a secondary that camps out in lawn chairs? I can see it now, NFL Team Tailgate 3D Lions Addition, for teams that don’t talk trash, just get trashed.

Emdigo
Verizon Wireless
Alltel Communications

The first five games available in the D Choc Café Series include Sudoku, Kakuro, Hold’em Poker, Mahjong and Solitaire.

Digital Chocolate

The service is $3.99 per month and, oh yeah, why should you care? Well, mywaves has more than 100,000 channels with more than 1 million users adding daily to the selection. And while you can access videos if you’re on Cingular, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon, and various Canadian carriers, the BREW experience was, let’s say, less than video-rific. So, mywaves developed a better BREW app for Alltel customers to use.

There’s a mishmash of videos available for all mywaves users, regardless of platform. Some are uploaded by regular users and others come from Comedy Central, CNN, MTV, VH1 and so forth. Also, should you choose to do so, mywaves lets you embed a player on your MySpace page (or any other Website, for that matter) to display your own customized video channels.

Alltel Wireless First Carrier to Launch ‘mywaves’ Mobile Video Service [Yahoo! Finance]