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Alltel Commercials

katrina

Jan 27, 2007, 5:51 PM
So I just want to say that even though the Alltel commercials are very misleading (especially the way they portray T-Mobile's myFaves) they are really really entertaining to watch.
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paddyoc

Jan 27, 2007, 8:59 PM
Yeah I heard the latest one is really funny. But they are very misleading, as well as the compare-o-matic on their site. You know, I hear Hitler was very entertaining.
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katrina

Jan 28, 2007, 1:31 PM
HAHA
yep like how they say with myFaves you only get 5 numbers, well MyCircle is only available on a family plan (myFaves is avaiable on both individual and family plans), and if you are on a myFaves family plan each person gets their own 5 nd since a family plan has to be at least 2 lines, that equals 10... same as alltel (well more or less, assuming you don't have to double any which could mean you get 8 or 9)
But it also means if you have 4 lines you get 20 total on T-Mobile but still only 10 on Alltel.
Also, Alltel makes a big deal about the lack of Mobile-to-Mobile built in to the myFaves plans but you can always add it on for $9.99. (Athough less than 10% of customers actually do this, because Mobeile-to-Mobile really only beifits t...
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themps

Jan 28, 2007, 2:44 PM
All the other carriers do the same thing in their commercials. It's normal, they paint themselves better without really lying. Cingular sure doesn't like Sprint making fun of their data network. Cingular say fewest dropped calls (quite possibly the most dishonest thing ever). Verizon is just greedy, and claims the most reliable network. T-Mobile says fewest dropped calls as well, lol. It's all marketing.
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katrina

Jan 28, 2007, 2:47 PM
Yep. Marketing is dumb lol
Whats funny about the dropped call thing is that Cingular and T-Mobile cite the same report lol and to make it better even the worst carriers for dropped calls average less than a 1.5% dropped call rate! I don't think dropped calls are really an isuue carrier-wide for anyone these days...
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foneguy

Jan 28, 2007, 2:53 PM
My Circle is available on any line $59.99 or higher...you don't need two lines.

If you'd like to compare plans and features, we can.
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katrina

Jan 28, 2007, 3:00 PM
You're right! it is now. I should hae checked the current offerings (on the main Alltel page it only mentions MyCircle family plans and when it launched it was only for family plans so I assumed it hadn't changed)
That being the case I rescind a little bit of my resentment, although with T-Mobile FWIW you can get myFaves plans starting at 39.99 ;-)
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AT_Rural_Wireless

Jan 28, 2007, 4:42 PM
You are still wrong katrina. My Circle has been offered on any plan $59.99 since the beginning. I know this because I have had My Circle since the launch (as other people I know have had My Circle).
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MJWC

Jan 29, 2007, 8:14 AM
Also, T-Mobile does not give you unlimited M2M if you have my faves. (unless they changed it in the week or so). Wit my circle you get unlimited M2M plus free calls to My Circle.

Got to love Marketing...gets them into the store!!
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foneguy

Jan 29, 2007, 10:53 AM
Let's compare the plans directly, shall we:

T-Mobile: 5 free numbers, changable monthly
$$$ anytime night/weekend mobile2mobile
39.99 300 unlimited no
49.99 600 unlimited no
59.99 1000 unlimited no

Now all of those suck, in my opinion.

Alltel: 10 free numbers, changable daily
$$$ anytime night/weekend mobile2mobile
59.99 900 unlimited yes
w/ 7PM option


As you can see, there isn't much comparison. Alltel also only requires a minimum of 1 year commitment, TMO requires 2. TMOs activation fee, $35. Alltel: $25. Coverage almost everywhere, Alltel. Let's not forget that it doesn't matter what type of phone you have with Alltel...
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clearcomm

Feb 1, 2007, 1:09 PM
Plus, Alltel gives you a minute back for every dropped call you have.
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Cellinovation

Jan 31, 2007, 3:37 PM
actualy My circle is available on any plan $59.99 or higher. It does not have to be a family plan.
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AT_Rural_Wireless

Jan 28, 2007, 4:45 PM
Name some "misleading" statements about T-Mobile (excluding humor)?
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wombough

Jan 28, 2007, 6:07 PM
I think she already did!
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paddyoc

Jan 28, 2007, 6:08 PM
Let's all admit it. Alltell misleads people šŸ˜²
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clearcomm

Feb 1, 2007, 1:14 PM
Every phone carrier misleads people simply by advertising the prices of phones at a certain price, when it's often only new customers that qualify for it. Prepaid, existing customers, and with some carriers, even people who qualify to upgrade their phone don't get that cheap price.

It's all in the name of the game.

And that is why there are people like me, dealers, to take the impact when a customer comes in two months into their contract and wants a phone for the price they saw on TV. It isn't pretty.
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AT_Rural_Wireless

Jan 28, 2007, 8:04 PM
First of all wombough, Katrina was wrong.

Alltel has offered My Circle on ALL plans that are $59.99 or higher since the creation of My Circle. Katrina stated "Alltel only offered My Circle on family plans" and then rescinded her statement.
Why? Alltel has offered My Circle on all plans that are $59.99 or higher since the creation of My Circle. In addition, it did not matter if it was local, national, business, or family. Also, with My Circle you add 800 numbers to your circle; you canā€™t with T-Mobile.

T-Mobileā€™s comparison is right.
5 numbers versus 10 (Alltel)
You can only change your myfaves once per month versus anytime with Alltel
No Unlimited M2M unless you pay for it versus Alltel free.
MyFaves plans are 2 years minimum ver...
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jmac32here

Jan 28, 2007, 8:38 PM
Umm..already in Progress..

Sprint offers Sprint-to-Home: Free calling to any landline--along with Mobile to Mobile.

Cingular (at&t): Is rolling out new plans to offer in-network to both cell phones and at&t landline phones. (Unity Plans)

One note though: AllTel is a REGIONAL carrier with no plans of expanding to a NATIONAL carrier. I also have to agree with Yahoo! Tech. If AllTel does in fact cover the largest area, how come their coverage numbers show coverage 1/3 of the US Population.

"It seems to me that there actually is a strong tie between the geographic size of the network and the number of people living inside that area. And since no other network actually even measures the size of its network geographically, I have to ...
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jmac32here

Jan 28, 2007, 9:04 PM
I should also note that I find it amusing that they are willing to compare themselves to national carriers...when the comparison is only applicapble to the limited areas where their service is available.

AKA--South and Midwest states, Louisinia, Kentucky...ect..

Hence the term regional.
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AT_Rural_Wireless

Jan 28, 2007, 10:25 PM
No one ever said Alltel is a national carrier or the largest wireless carrier.
Alltel Wireless is a tier 2/3 market wireless carrier. Alltel has NEVER said they would like to be a ā€œnationalā€Ā carrier. Alltel has stated that they want to be the preferred roaming partner to ALL of the national carriers. It is more lucrative to be in the tier 2/3 markets (stable cash flow). Plus, they have agreements with Verizon and Sprint to provide network coverage in the tier 1 markets without having to incur the expense of building a network or purchasing spectrum.

I read the article on Yahoo a few months ago. His article is correct in that the current measurement is pop's covered. Yes, Atlanta does have a larger population than say Idaho Falls. Covere...
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foneguy

Jan 29, 2007, 10:56 AM
I'm happy with having the potential of 100 million customers, wouldn't you guys be?
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fet4489

Jan 29, 2007, 8:17 PM
That is why the word "geographic" was used. They have the largest area covered, not the highest population covered. Sure, it's all the technicalities of how they word it, but everyone in this business does it. And Alltel has strong roaming agreements with carriers who provide service to the big cities, so what's the big deal? I went with Alltel 2 years ago because they are the leader here in West Michigan, the only provider to offer high speed wireless connectivity in my home town. Verizon, Cingular, Nextel, Sprint, Cellular One, and T-Mobile, and any other carrier you can think of just sucks in this area. I also travel, and have never had a problem with my Alltel phone service anywhere in the country. I must have better luck than you...
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themps

Jan 29, 2007, 11:04 PM
The person that wrote that quote must be a complete idiot. Alltel covers more of the country with it's native network then ANY other carrier. Bottom line. The other carriers do not cover as much land of the United States of America as does Alltel.
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fet4489

Jan 31, 2007, 9:03 PM
exactly... they cover the most AREA... but others that cover large cities beat alltel when it comes to coverage by population. but with their roaming agreements with verizon etc. i don't see a problem.
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dca

Jan 29, 2007, 1:44 PM
Couldn't care less, the only funny thing for being a Tier2 regional carrier, why are they broadcasting commercials in the Orlando area??? Their closest area is Tampa...
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foneguy

Jan 29, 2007, 3:19 PM
And they're what, an hour apart?

You realize that you should be calling Alltel, and asking when they'll be available in your area, rather than bitching about advertisements on your t.v., right?


šŸ™„
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dca

Jan 29, 2007, 4:45 PM
Why? How would that benefit me?
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foneguy

Jan 29, 2007, 7:19 PM
Because I'm trying to move to Florida, and I'm hoping to be able to transfer! šŸ¤£

Seriously, more interest within a market there is, the more likely the suits in Little Rock will take a hard look at aquiring spectrum in that market.
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dca

Jan 30, 2007, 2:10 PM
I would have to agree but I just think that they're happier being a regional carrier. It's also an issue of licenses. It's cheaper for them to sign all these roaming agreements w/ SPCS & VZW so that way what markets they do service, the subs can have coverage anywhere in the US...
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fet4489

Jan 29, 2007, 8:10 PM
I'm sure you understand what a national television advertisement is right? It is much more cost efficient to run a national tv ad rather than airing their ad on 100's of local stations. That is why Alltel's tv ads may end up airing in an area they do not service.

But as for Orlando, I lived there for 5 months in 2006 and had amazing service with Alltel. With a national plan that includes roaming, you're good to go in Orlando.
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jrfdsf

Jan 29, 2007, 7:22 PM
They are only a regional carrier! They are comparing themselves and their plans to four NATIONAL carriers. I don't see them comparing themselves to other regional carriers that offer UNLIMITED minutes for way less than their "my circle".

I can't even get Alltel where I live and even if I could, I know ZERO people who have it. So, you're gonna need those ten free numbers in order to have somebody to talk to.

I consider Verizon to have the worst deal in wireless, as far as minutes you get for the money, but even they beat the socks off these guys, because when you have Verizon, you're probably going to be able to call about 50 people that you know, saving your minutes.

50 vs. 10? You nailed it on the advertising. Apples and oranges. I...
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themps

Jan 29, 2007, 10:58 PM
Where Alltel does serve they have a large customer base. If they were in your area there would be people you know using Alltel. I know many areas Sprint, VZW, T-Mo and Cingular do not serve at all. None of them. Do you think mobile to mobile is good for people with those services there? No. Being national only means you have native service in in major metros are major roads. NYC, Chicago, LA. If you are not in those cities you are not considered national. Not really that big of a deal to be regional compared to national. The bottom line, is Alltel is too big to compare themselves to regional carriers that offer unlimited minutes, and providing tough competition to the national carriers where they service. This means lower prices for ...
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jrfdsf

Jan 30, 2007, 4:58 PM
I agree with the fact they are a good provider, but the fact is they are comparing themselves to 4 national carriers. Bigger or no, Alltel is not a national carrier. So, the number of people you're going to be able to call for free is going to be comparatively smaller than Verizon, Cingular, or even the other two.

They then must offer a deal like this, otherwise, nobody's going to be interested who live in markets where they do have those other choices. If Alltel had service in my area, I still don't know anyone who has it, therefore, I would need those ten free numbers in order to even halfway compare to what I have through Sprint.

I have over 50 contacts who are on Sprint or Nextel I can call for free. If I switched to Verizon, it wo...
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xyzpdq123456

Jan 30, 2007, 6:08 PM
I agree.....I have alltel (for now) and Almost everyone else i know has verizon....I just counted and out of my 78 contacts I subtracted the 19 house phones= 59 (hope i did math right) and so then I take 59 and subtract my 6 other people who have cell phones non verizon and that brings me to 53 out of 78 people in my phone who have verizon! I have a whole 5 alltel friends and a whole 1 sprint friend. This proves that verizon is better than my circle!...................I will be switchin to verizon........................So where I live there is no cingular, tmobile, and sprint is very small, leaving alltel and verizon........everyone obviously chooses verizon!
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Cellinovation

Jan 31, 2007, 3:47 PM
That math works great in places where ther IS VERIZON! Where I live Verizon is not here. They must roam (with part of Alltels network, and a reduced quality of service)
While there is sprint, and Nextel, most people in the area have Alltel. How well does that work now?

Lets do the math now. 10 numbers changesable daily
10*30=300
All but 4 people that I know on alltel.
Unlimited calling anyone?
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jrfdsf

Jan 31, 2007, 5:14 PM
No one is saying that Alltel isn't a good service. In fact, Consumer Reports rates it very high. The issue here is "who you gonna call?" While your particular situation may work well for you, others, such as myself and xyzpdq123456, where Verizon or the other three national carriers are available,it isn't that great of a deal.

Remember, Alltel is still just a regional carrier, and what that means is their native network is much smaller that the big 4. While they do make sure you can place calls wherever you're at, you're roaming. That means free M2M goes away. When you factor that into the equation, the equation then changes.

This is especially true if you are a long haul truck driver, or a professional person, who travels quite a bit,...
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xyzpdq123456

Jan 31, 2007, 5:22 PM
yeah they are trying so many things to gain business...alltel is not doing so hot where i live and so this is how they are trying to compare with their plans

free nights starting at 7
My Circle
Unlimited calling to home (this is not included in the my circle numbers so techincally its 11 numbers!)
1- month free unlimited texting, picture messaging, etc
1000 anytime minutes
unlimited m2m
all this for 39.99 a month with first month free and no activation fees

now are they desperate or what!!!!

I am thinking about switching to verizon in a yr, but i just love the fact that alltel does not mess up their phones and that alltel has unlimited texting...TO EVERYONE, not just verizon!


Most of the people i text live out of state a...
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jrfdsf

Jan 31, 2007, 5:34 PM
I have stated that I do wish Verizon would offer something else besides the basics, but it seems to be working for them, and as others on this forum have pointed out to me, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it!"

I guess I'm just a big cheapskate. When I had Nextel years ago, before they became Sprint, I hated their plans and pricing. Hated it! Now, I'm paying a lot less and getting a lot more now that it's Sprint.

The drawback to this though has been that the Sprint name has ruined Nextel's reputation. Before the merger, Nextel had the lowest churn rate (even lower than Verizon) of any national carrier. They also rated consistently well by both CR and JD Powers.

Now, the combined company is floundering, and churn is terrible. Maybe offe...
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mezzedup

Feb 6, 2007, 10:19 PM
Actually Consumer Reports always used to rank Nextel as the lowest carrier out of all the national carriers. Now, they rank SprintNextel the lowest. I also have never seen any magazine or reputable source ever recommend Nextel unless you happen to be one of the few business people who need their Walkie Talkie Service.
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jrfdsf

Feb 7, 2007, 9:56 AM
Not so. CR rated Nextel second behind Verizon in their 2003 cell phone report edition. So did JD Powers. As late as 2004, Nextel ranked second behind VZW in complaints to the FCC.

Since then, Nextel is no longer counted whatsoever, only Sprint. That is stated by CR in their latest cell phone report for 2007.
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AT_Rural_Wireless

Jan 31, 2007, 5:59 PM
Xyz, it's only $200 to disconnect. Cheaper that paying for another year.
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SiestaRandy

Jan 30, 2007, 1:17 PM
You are dead wrong about My Circle only available on Family plans. My Circle is absolutely available for an individual which means one person gets 10 free numbers (Double T-Mobile) plus M to M free (Unlike T-Mobile) and way way way better coverage, not to mention EV-DO high speed, TV, radio, and tons of stuff not even offered by T-Mobile.
There is nothing misleading about their ads. They offer a better deal than T-Mobile and you need to accept it.
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Barren_CPM4

Feb 5, 2007, 7:56 PM
Alltel My Circle is available on any rate plan of $59.99 or above, individual or family plan. I work for Alltel so I know this to be for sure.
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