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company_logo = [[Image:Alltel logo.svg|220px]]| |
company_logo = [[Image:Alltel logo.svg|220px]]| |
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type = [[Privately held company|Private]] ([[subsidiary]] of [[Verizon Wireless]])| |
type = [[Privately held company|Private]] ([[subsidiary]] of [[Verizon Wireless]])| |
||
company_slogan = Come and Get Your |
company_slogan = Come and Get Your Looooooooove | |
||
foundation = {{flagicon|USA}} [[Little Rock, Arkansas|Little Rock]], [[Arkansas]], [[United States|USA]] (1943)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://content.alltel.com/corporate/media/history_detail.html |title=Alltel History |accessdate=2007-12-15}}</ref>|| |
foundation = {{flagicon|USA}} [[Little Rock, Arkansas|Little Rock]], [[Arkansas]], [[United States|USA]] (1943)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://content.alltel.com/corporate/media/history_detail.html |title=Alltel History |accessdate=2007-12-15}}</ref>|| |
||
location = [[Little Rock, Arkansas|Little Rock]], [[Arkansas]], [[United States|USA]]| |
location = [[Little Rock, Arkansas|Little Rock]], [[Arkansas]], [[United States|USA]]| |
![]() | |
Company type | Private ( subsidiary of Verizon Wireless) |
---|---|
Industry | Telecommunications |
Founded |
![]() |
Headquarters | Little Rock, Arkansas, USA |
Key people | Scott T. Ford, President & CEO |
Products | Wireless |
Revenue | ![]() |
![]() | |
Number of employees | 15,000+ (2006) |
Parent | Verizon Wireless |
Website | alltel.com |
Alltel Corporation was, until its acquisition by Verizon Wireless, [2] the fifth largest wireless telecommunications company in the United States with 14.7 million customers, as of the third quarter 2008, after AT&T Mobility, Verizon Wireless, Sprint-Nextel, and T-Mobile. [3]
At its peak, Alltel operated a network in 34 states, with a wireless coverage area comprising the largest network in the United States by area. The company focused on small to medium size cities providing wireless services to residential and business customers in all 50 states through low-cost roaming agreements with the major national CDMA carriers including Verizon Wireless and Sprint Nextel. These agreements gave Alltel customers access to nationwide service while providing those carriers coverage in rural areas.
On June 5, 2008, Verizon Wireless announced it would acquire Alltel Wireless in a deal valued at $28.1 billion. The merger was approved by the FCC on November 4, 2008, and completed on January 9, 2009. With this merger, Verizon Wireless now has approximately 83.7 million wireless subscribers and covers nearly the entire United States population [4] making it the largest network in the country by area covered and number of subscribers. However, 2.1 million of these customers will soon be divested, per the conditions of FCC and DOJ approval of the merger.
The Alltel name will eventually be retired after 65 years of business. Customers should begin seeing Verizon Wireless on their statements and other material formerly carrying the name as early as March 2009.
In 1943, the Allied Telephone Company, a small business specializing in installing telephone poles and cabling for telephone companies across Arkansas, was founded by Charles Miller and Hugh Willbourn, Jr.
Alltel's modern history begins in 1983 when Allied Telephone and Mid-Continent Telephone merged. Mid-Continent Telephone was founded by Weldon W. Case and his younger brother, Nelson H. Case. The elder Case became Alltel's first chairman and headquartered the company in Hudson, Ohio. In 1985, Alltel launched its first wireless system in Charlotte, North Carolina. In 1993, Alltel opened its first wireless retail store. In 1997, the company's wireless and wireline businesses were combined into a single organization.
On December 9, 2005, Alltel announced that it would become a wireless-only company, simultaneously merging and building a spin-off company for its wireline services. [5] The wireline services business of Alltel merged with Valor Telecom and was named Windstream Communications on April 10, 2006. The merger-spinoff process ended July 17, 2006 when Windstream began operations. [6]
On May 20, 2007, Alltel announced an agreement to be sold to two private-equity firms: TPG Capital and GS Capital Partners. Under the deal, the two firms paid $71.50 a share in cash, or $27.5 billion, a 10% premium over Alltel's May 18, 2007 closing price. [7]
On June 4, 2008, The Wall Street Journal reported [8] that Verizon Wireless was in talks to acquire the wireless carrier for around $27 billion.
1990
1998
1999
2000
2002
2003
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
Alltel's networks consist of analog and digital systems operating primarily on the 800 MHz cellular band, much like Verizon Wireless. Native Alltel markets consist of both analog ( AMPS) and digital ( CDMA) technologies. Approximately 76 percent of markets have been outfitted with 3G 1xEV-DO digital technology, which allows for additional battery life and faster download times when using Internet or BREW-based applications. [11] Alltel has posted a three phase turn down schedule [12] in response to the FCC decision stating that by March 1, 2008 A and B side carriers are no longer required to support analog. The analog systems are currently being phased out and will be retired by the end of 2008. While Alltel has not outlined its future path, merger partner Verizon Wireless has already announced plans to switch to GSM-based LTE.
There are currently Alltel-owned and operated networks in parts of 35 states. Alltel uses roaming agreements with competing providers to provide coast-to-coast service. Roaming agreements in the United States are primarily with Verizon Wireless and Sprint Nextel. The company also has agreements with Canadian cellular providers, including Telus and Bell Mobility. Since many of these roaming partners operate in the 800 MHz or 1900 MHz CDMA band, Alltel customers on national calling plans are required to use tri-mode (800 AMPS, 800 CDMA, 1900 CDMA) or dual band (800 CDMA, 1900 CDMA) handsets.
After Alltel's November 2004 announcement that Campbell-Ewald of Detroit would be their primary advertising agency, [17] Alltel used lookalikes of rival cell phone companies' primary advertising characters along with Alltel's spokesman, [18] played by comedian Chad Brokaw. [19] After competing networks complained, [20] the promotional campaign featured this notice on television and the website: "Our lawyers would like to inform you some of the characters you see here are not associated with Alltel. They are look-alikes. The characters, not our lawyers." In the first commercial, at an Alltel store, Alltel representative Chad spoke to representatives of five competitors to his circle. A second commercial was set in a bowling alley. The third commercial took place in a court room, with the faces of the other carriers blurred. [21] In "The Century's Trial of the Century," Edward Maxwell Von Houten, attorney for the People Against My Circle Foundation, sued Chad for attempting to force people into calling circles. [22]
After that, Alltel started a series of commercials involving Chad, bragging about Alltel's service and using the theme music " Come and Get Your Love". The parodied competitors, called "Sales Guys" are perpetually frustrated by their failures and less popularity, even going so far as to harass and threaten him, albeit with less than effective results. The Sales Guys are played by professional actors Matthew Brent ( Verizon), Scott Halberstadt ( Cingular/AT&T), Ian Gould ( T-Mobile), and Michael Busch ( Sprint), [19] who was later replaced by Adam Herschman. [23] Each representative wears a shirt with the color of the company they represent, as well as name tags to represent their company. Most ads in 2007 had the Cingular/AT&T guy wearing two name tags--one each for Cingular & AT&T--while that brand was transitioning to AT&T. As of 2008, they added a snobbish wizard into the ads. The Christmas 2007/2008 ads uses stop-motion animation, parodying the Rankin-Bass Christmas specials.
The campaign included a MySpace page, and Campbell-Ewald Digital created The Man Cave with its own web site. [18] The fourth and fifth commercials features employees of other carriers' mall stores trying to convince Chad to end My Circle with $8.00. The sixth has Chad giving RAZR's as Christmas gifts to them. Since this service and advertising campaign started, other carriers started adding similar services. For example, T-Mobile introduced "My Faves" in the fall of 2006.[ citation needed]
Starting with the 2009 ads, the Verizon guy was hard to see in the commercials, and his logo was not visible, reflecting the fact that Verizon was no longer Alltel's competitor, but rather its parent company.[ citation needed] However, experts predict the Chad commercials will soon end. [24]
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→Sponsors: Revert name of section |
No edit summary |
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company_logo = [[Image:Alltel logo.svg|220px]]| |
company_logo = [[Image:Alltel logo.svg|220px]]| |
||
type = [[Privately held company|Private]] ([[subsidiary]] of [[Verizon Wireless]])| |
type = [[Privately held company|Private]] ([[subsidiary]] of [[Verizon Wireless]])| |
||
company_slogan = Come and Get Your |
company_slogan = Come and Get Your Looooooooove | |
||
foundation = {{flagicon|USA}} [[Little Rock, Arkansas|Little Rock]], [[Arkansas]], [[United States|USA]] (1943)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://content.alltel.com/corporate/media/history_detail.html |title=Alltel History |accessdate=2007-12-15}}</ref>|| |
foundation = {{flagicon|USA}} [[Little Rock, Arkansas|Little Rock]], [[Arkansas]], [[United States|USA]] (1943)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://content.alltel.com/corporate/media/history_detail.html |title=Alltel History |accessdate=2007-12-15}}</ref>|| |
||
location = [[Little Rock, Arkansas|Little Rock]], [[Arkansas]], [[United States|USA]]| |
location = [[Little Rock, Arkansas|Little Rock]], [[Arkansas]], [[United States|USA]]| |
![]() | |
Company type | Private ( subsidiary of Verizon Wireless) |
---|---|
Industry | Telecommunications |
Founded |
![]() |
Headquarters | Little Rock, Arkansas, USA |
Key people | Scott T. Ford, President & CEO |
Products | Wireless |
Revenue | ![]() |
![]() | |
Number of employees | 15,000+ (2006) |
Parent | Verizon Wireless |
Website | alltel.com |
Alltel Corporation was, until its acquisition by Verizon Wireless, [2] the fifth largest wireless telecommunications company in the United States with 14.7 million customers, as of the third quarter 2008, after AT&T Mobility, Verizon Wireless, Sprint-Nextel, and T-Mobile. [3]
At its peak, Alltel operated a network in 34 states, with a wireless coverage area comprising the largest network in the United States by area. The company focused on small to medium size cities providing wireless services to residential and business customers in all 50 states through low-cost roaming agreements with the major national CDMA carriers including Verizon Wireless and Sprint Nextel. These agreements gave Alltel customers access to nationwide service while providing those carriers coverage in rural areas.
On June 5, 2008, Verizon Wireless announced it would acquire Alltel Wireless in a deal valued at $28.1 billion. The merger was approved by the FCC on November 4, 2008, and completed on January 9, 2009. With this merger, Verizon Wireless now has approximately 83.7 million wireless subscribers and covers nearly the entire United States population [4] making it the largest network in the country by area covered and number of subscribers. However, 2.1 million of these customers will soon be divested, per the conditions of FCC and DOJ approval of the merger.
The Alltel name will eventually be retired after 65 years of business. Customers should begin seeing Verizon Wireless on their statements and other material formerly carrying the name as early as March 2009.
In 1943, the Allied Telephone Company, a small business specializing in installing telephone poles and cabling for telephone companies across Arkansas, was founded by Charles Miller and Hugh Willbourn, Jr.
Alltel's modern history begins in 1983 when Allied Telephone and Mid-Continent Telephone merged. Mid-Continent Telephone was founded by Weldon W. Case and his younger brother, Nelson H. Case. The elder Case became Alltel's first chairman and headquartered the company in Hudson, Ohio. In 1985, Alltel launched its first wireless system in Charlotte, North Carolina. In 1993, Alltel opened its first wireless retail store. In 1997, the company's wireless and wireline businesses were combined into a single organization.
On December 9, 2005, Alltel announced that it would become a wireless-only company, simultaneously merging and building a spin-off company for its wireline services. [5] The wireline services business of Alltel merged with Valor Telecom and was named Windstream Communications on April 10, 2006. The merger-spinoff process ended July 17, 2006 when Windstream began operations. [6]
On May 20, 2007, Alltel announced an agreement to be sold to two private-equity firms: TPG Capital and GS Capital Partners. Under the deal, the two firms paid $71.50 a share in cash, or $27.5 billion, a 10% premium over Alltel's May 18, 2007 closing price. [7]
On June 4, 2008, The Wall Street Journal reported [8] that Verizon Wireless was in talks to acquire the wireless carrier for around $27 billion.
1990
1998
1999
2000
2002
2003
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
Alltel's networks consist of analog and digital systems operating primarily on the 800 MHz cellular band, much like Verizon Wireless. Native Alltel markets consist of both analog ( AMPS) and digital ( CDMA) technologies. Approximately 76 percent of markets have been outfitted with 3G 1xEV-DO digital technology, which allows for additional battery life and faster download times when using Internet or BREW-based applications. [11] Alltel has posted a three phase turn down schedule [12] in response to the FCC decision stating that by March 1, 2008 A and B side carriers are no longer required to support analog. The analog systems are currently being phased out and will be retired by the end of 2008. While Alltel has not outlined its future path, merger partner Verizon Wireless has already announced plans to switch to GSM-based LTE.
There are currently Alltel-owned and operated networks in parts of 35 states. Alltel uses roaming agreements with competing providers to provide coast-to-coast service. Roaming agreements in the United States are primarily with Verizon Wireless and Sprint Nextel. The company also has agreements with Canadian cellular providers, including Telus and Bell Mobility. Since many of these roaming partners operate in the 800 MHz or 1900 MHz CDMA band, Alltel customers on national calling plans are required to use tri-mode (800 AMPS, 800 CDMA, 1900 CDMA) or dual band (800 CDMA, 1900 CDMA) handsets.
After Alltel's November 2004 announcement that Campbell-Ewald of Detroit would be their primary advertising agency, [17] Alltel used lookalikes of rival cell phone companies' primary advertising characters along with Alltel's spokesman, [18] played by comedian Chad Brokaw. [19] After competing networks complained, [20] the promotional campaign featured this notice on television and the website: "Our lawyers would like to inform you some of the characters you see here are not associated with Alltel. They are look-alikes. The characters, not our lawyers." In the first commercial, at an Alltel store, Alltel representative Chad spoke to representatives of five competitors to his circle. A second commercial was set in a bowling alley. The third commercial took place in a court room, with the faces of the other carriers blurred. [21] In "The Century's Trial of the Century," Edward Maxwell Von Houten, attorney for the People Against My Circle Foundation, sued Chad for attempting to force people into calling circles. [22]
After that, Alltel started a series of commercials involving Chad, bragging about Alltel's service and using the theme music " Come and Get Your Love". The parodied competitors, called "Sales Guys" are perpetually frustrated by their failures and less popularity, even going so far as to harass and threaten him, albeit with less than effective results. The Sales Guys are played by professional actors Matthew Brent ( Verizon), Scott Halberstadt ( Cingular/AT&T), Ian Gould ( T-Mobile), and Michael Busch ( Sprint), [19] who was later replaced by Adam Herschman. [23] Each representative wears a shirt with the color of the company they represent, as well as name tags to represent their company. Most ads in 2007 had the Cingular/AT&T guy wearing two name tags--one each for Cingular & AT&T--while that brand was transitioning to AT&T. As of 2008, they added a snobbish wizard into the ads. The Christmas 2007/2008 ads uses stop-motion animation, parodying the Rankin-Bass Christmas specials.
The campaign included a MySpace page, and Campbell-Ewald Digital created The Man Cave with its own web site. [18] The fourth and fifth commercials features employees of other carriers' mall stores trying to convince Chad to end My Circle with $8.00. The sixth has Chad giving RAZR's as Christmas gifts to them. Since this service and advertising campaign started, other carriers started adding similar services. For example, T-Mobile introduced "My Faves" in the fall of 2006.[ citation needed]
Starting with the 2009 ads, the Verizon guy was hard to see in the commercials, and his logo was not visible, reflecting the fact that Verizon was no longer Alltel's competitor, but rather its parent company.[ citation needed] However, experts predict the Chad commercials will soon end. [24]
{{
cite news}}
: Check date values in: |date=
(
help)
{{
cite news}}
: Check date values in: |date=
(
help)
{{
cite news}}
: Check date values in: |date=
(
help)[
dead link]
{{
cite news}}
: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors=
(
help)