Alltel tether - specific question

[Mike Hardiman]

Hi folks,

I've probably posted a cellular internet question every year around this time, and never ended up taking the plunge, but this time I mean it!

My question deals specifically with how one connects using an Alltel phone-as-modem tether setup. Do you have any problems when trying to 'connect' on a non-Alltel tower (e.g., "Extended Network")?

The reason I ask is because, until recently, I was able to connect to the web using my verizon phone with a USB cable without incurring any charges other than minutes used. However, this ONLY worked when on a true-blue Verizon tower. It used Windows Dial-up-Networking, with a Verizon-specific username and password structure.

So, when I read about the Alltel tether setup, I wonder if there is a similar issue when on non-Alltel towers.

I should point out that Alltel is still available in New Mexico...apparently we are in one of those markets that is not taking on the Verizon name. El Paso, TX, just a mile or two away, is converting over to Verizon.

Thanks for any confusion clear-up.
-Mike

 

[Rob Wadsworth]

I thought it was a complete merger? Hmmm...
As far as how the Alltel system works, all you need is the cellphone, cable tether, and the Alltel software on your laptop.
Haven't hooked my laptop in a long time, so I will find out today if everything is still working as it should.
Any major changes to the Alltel programming that needs to be pointed out?
Good question Mike.

 

[Kurt Hulst]

Hi folks,

I've probably posted a cellular internet question every year around this time, and never ended up taking the plunge, but this time I mean it!

My question deals specifically with how one connects using an Alltel phone-as-modem tether setup. Do you have any problems when trying to 'connect' on a non-Alltel tower (e.g., "Extended Network")?

The reason I ask is because, until recently, I was able to connect to the web using my verizon phone with a USB cable without incurring any charges other than minutes used. However, this ONLY worked when on a true-blue Verizon tower. It used Windows Dial-up-Networking, with a Verizon-specific username and password structure.

So, when I read about the Alltel tether setup, I wonder if there is a similar issue when on non-Alltel towers.

I should point out that Alltel is still available in New Mexico...apparently we are in one of those markets that is not taking on the Verizon name. El Paso, TX, just a mile or two away, is converting over to Verizon.

Thanks for any confusion clear-up.
-Mike

Well I have not heard about the Alltel stores changing to Verizon stores. The rep I talked to late last fall when I changed to Alltel said that they would still be separate names. So that may have changed or area sensitive. It is still unclear as to how the merger will affect those who use Data with Alltel. I used my phone in some areas that were extended network. However, I had the tethering data plan for my phone. You can turn it off and on whenever you want through your online account. You only get charged for the amount of time you use it. If you use it for the full month it is 30 a month still uncapped (unlimited data). I have not used it off of the data plan I don’t really want to risk getting charged by the Kilobyte or megabyte whatever it is they charge by.

If i remember correctly that he said they would charge you for whatever data you use outside of a data plan just like the pay by use texting if you don’t have a text plan. I hate texting i turned that off.
So this may have been of little or no help to your original question about using Data outside of the network towers.

 

[Joe Dorn]

Our local Alltel store is still open under the Alltel banner however some 'Verizon' changes are happening. I just updated my wifes phone and a minor policy change on restocking was on the contract...

I was on the Alltel tethering plan for almost two years and incurred no additional charges as we traveled over a large portion of the country. I recently changed to the Alltel 'air card' plan and also have not received any additional charges.

Our most recent trip covered Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, California, Arizona, and New Mexico, for the most part along well traveled roads. The only areas I did not have coverage was in the canyons along I-70 west of Denver and a VERY barren portion of the four corners area. An antenna might have helped along I-70, nothing would have helped in the Chaco Canyon area.

I bought into the air card plan late last year so that I, hopefully, will be grandfathered into the 'no data cap' as long as I keep the contract active. I have 18 months left on the current plan...

I am a country boy without wired or fiber high speed access and use my card for Internet access when not on the road.

The no-cap plan is still available as of last week...

 

[Scott Roberts]

I run one phone on a tethered plan and I have a data card. Both are AllTel. I have no roaming-related issues with either, except in Kansas City. Even there, it's an issue of speed (1x instead of EVDO), not the inability to connect. The tethered phone has seemed to have more issues with having 1x speed since the merger was announced, but at times it is more reliable of a connection than the data card.

And this is on the same overall system -- both are connecting via a wireless booster from Maximum Signal, and frequently show the same number of bars, even when one will connect and the other won't.

I will tell you this -- in rural Kansas, your Verizon phone will be among the first ones to lose signal or get busy signals when the system loads up -- I carried phones from AllTel and Verizon together until last year and would frequently have 4 bars on the AllTel and 1 on the VZW when in an Alltel area (which is pretty much all of Kansas west of the turnpike, except Sedgwick county).

Have not tried that experiment since the merger.

 

[Mike Hardiman]

Hey All,

Thanks for the notes...I finally took the plunge. The Verizon-Alltel merger is pretty much complete, but not at the consumer end yet. Apparently Verizon did not but every Alltel market... such as southern New Mexico. These areas will keep the Alltel name for now, but will likely be bought out by someone else. El Paso, TX was bought by Verizon. The "Alltel" brand still exists...but not for long.

I was told I would be grandfathered in on the 2-year contract for the price/unlimited access even when the Verizon metamorphosis is complete. Not sure about changes after the contract is up.

However... Alltel and Verizon have merged their "In-Network" ... so I can call Verizon customers and they can call me with no airtime charges. Since just about everyone I speak with on the phone regularly is on Verizon, this will allow me to cancel my "old Verizon" account when the contract is up next month.

I ended up taking the LG Swift since it has a "micro-USB" port and thus had a more readily available (cheaper) "data cable." Tested everything out from home and it works well.

Thanks again for the tips,
-Mike

 

[Robert Edmonds]

I ended up taking the LG Swift since it has a "micro-USB" port and thus had a more readily available (cheaper) "data cable." Tested everything out from home and it works well.

Thanks again for the tips,
-Mike

I actually use the LG swift for data, when tethered with laptop. I have been happy with it for the few chases this year I have been able to use it.

On a side note, if you want ringtones on your phone I found a way to do it. That's the only thing wrong with alltel, their restrictions on ringtones. However, I don't really care about this when purchasing a phone.

 

[J Kinkaid]

I am really not sure why anybody would do a 2 year contract right now with any cell phone carrier. You would be better off buying a phone on ebay and being contract free with Alltel. Also if you use a Verizon prl right now 5000 and above you will see Rev A speeds.

 

[Mike Hardiman]

Don't really see any reason not to go with a contract, never found one to be burdensome, but I did have problems with an "Ebay Phone" before.

Also if you use a Verizon prl right now 5000 and above you will see Rev A speeds.

I have no idea what any of that means!

 

[J Kinkaid]

PRL is preferred roaming list and tells you who you can roam on and in what order and contracts are for suckers.

 

[Mike Hardiman]

Well, if you're a technophile and are constantly changing plans, upgrading phones, etc to have the latest and greatest then contracts are not for you.

If you're like me and rarely see the need to make changes, then contracts are really not an issue.

Heck, I don't even text message... maybe I'm just getting old!

 

[Robert Edmonds]

PRL is preferred roaming list and tells you who you can roam on and in what order and contracts are for suckers.

He also told me I can find drivers for my phone easily. Not really, I found drivers for very phone except mine. Personally, I have no problems with my phone contract. I just didn't want a data contract, which I have setup with alltel. I can drop my data plan any time.

 

[Mike Hollingshead]

I'd be cautious with what some sales reps tell you. From what I've heard the data part is considered just an "add on" and the phone contract you sign means zero as far as data amount/pricing. If it was true I'd be redoing my Alltel contract to keep that part, but I have heard they say it won't mean anything to do so....because it is an add on.

I've heard there will be a couple points of change here, one in May and the other in September. I think people that are going to be switched to Verizon will be done in May. I think September is when they let go of the rest to go wherever they want. I'm hoping for the latter whatever the case just because I know I'll keep that data rate through chase season.

If it is true they are grand fathering you in with that 2 year contract I'd love to know why the one here said there was no use in resigning as that was not going to be the case.

 

[Joe Dorn]

I'd be cautious with what some sales reps tell you. From what I've heard the data part is considered just an "add on" and the phone contract you sign means zero as far as data amount/pricing. If it was true I'd be redoing my Alltel contract to keep that part, but I have heard they say it won't mean anything to do so....because it is an add on.


If it is true they are grand fathering you in with that 2 year contract I'd love to know why the one here said there was no use in resigning as that was not going to be the case.

I am not sure if you were directing this to me or one of the others.

My tethered phone was more or less an 'add-on' since the data part could be turned off and on.

My 'air-card' is a separate ongoing contract with no off/on privileges and the contract was for two years as of this past December...

 

[Mike Hollingshead]

No they told Mike he would be grand fathered in with a contract when it comes to the alltel data plan. I had heard otherwise from them that it was just an add on and not part of some contract wording.