The death of Alltel, now what?

[Jason Foster]

For some of you bigger, nearly full time chasers, and those that have bigger exposure, don't hesitate to pitch some sponsorship from the wireless companies. There are many different ways to get around the limits and costs, but you really need to have a big presence (big website, TV sales, etc.). Or you can make friends with someone from the company, another way to get around the limits. I was using a plan that was (and still is) unlimited to friends and family of company employees and is about 25%-50% less per month too...and no contract. I lost my inside deal, but I'm sure some of you can get in on the action too.

 

[Ben Holcomb]

You were misinformed then. I bought my current aircard off eBay and activated it on a month-to-month basis. It's getting to the point where I'll probably deactivate it until around the chaser convention, where i'll pay another $35 to activate it, then $60 a month after that.

 

[Jason Foster]

You were misinformed then. I bought my current aircard off eBay and activated it on a month-to-month basis. It's getting to the point where I'll probably deactivate it until around the chaser convention, where i'll pay another $35 to activate it, then $60 a month after that.

You were quoting Tony, right? Just want to make sure.

 

[John Cameron]

so what are the Jacksonville Jaguars gonna call their stadium now?

 

[D. Hayes]

My wife stopped into the now verizon store to add my son to our account. They was telling her that we would have to change plans to do this since we are still considered Alltel. I guess we can just get the kid a pay as you go phone if I don't have to worry about loosing my current plan when my contracted 2 years is up. Now what I really worry about is my phone, if I upgrade will I be forced to switch to a verizon plan?

 

[Adam Lucio]

I must be the only chaser in the world who uses AT&T. Unlimited use per month at 69.99

Coverage is pretty decent in most areas, especially western Oklahoma where it out performed Verizon big time this year. If I lose data on the backroads I can usually get back to a main highway in 10-15 minutes to get the updates I need and be on my way...allows me to be less reliant on data and more reliant on experience and instinct.

Although I don't think they will be supporting the sierra wireless card I have anymore once next year rolls around so I might have to seek an alternative.

What in the world would we do without our data cards lol.

 

[J Kinkaid]

I must be the only chaser in the world who uses AT&T. Unlimited use per month at 69.99

Coverage is pretty decent in most areas, especially western Oklahoma where it out performed Verizon big time this year. If I lose data on the backroads I can usually get back to a main highway in 10-15 minutes to get the updates I need and be on my way...allows me to be less reliant on data and more reliant on experience and instinct.

Although I don't think they will be supporting the sierra wireless card I have anymore once next year rolls around so I might have to seek an alternative.

What in the world would we do without our data cards lol.

Adam why are you paying $70 for internet when you could be doing it for $15 a month ?

 

[Adam Lucio]

Actually Im paying 59.99 because I also have my cell phone through them but its 69.99 for anyone who doesnt already have cell service through them.

Show me where and how I can for $15 and I may reconsider.

BTW I cant use ebay so buying a card from there is not an option for me [thats a long story.]

 

[Scott Weberpal]

I must be the only chaser in the world who uses AT&T. Unlimited use per month at 69.99

The problem with ATT is their 3G service is only available near and around major cities, whereas Sprint and Verizon 3G service is available in most rural areas of the plains. ATT in rural areas is mostly EDGE which is only slightly better than dial up to very slow DSL. Sprint is now nearly 100% 3G west of I-35 in Oklahoma.

And I believe that Kinkaid is talking about the $15 data plan which you can tether on. I used to tether on ATT and its absolutely horrible compared to having an aircard. There were numerous instances in the plains when I couldn't tether on the ATT network, but someone with an ATT aircard could connect. I'd stick with the aircard, much better connection, and the $15 plan wasn't intended for tethering, though many people get away with it.

 

[J Kinkaid]

I am talking about dropping your sim card in a data card. You can do that on $15 medianet without any problems and best of all you have unlimited data so you can stream your dash cam at 500K when you are in a 3G area.

 

[Drew.Gardonia]

I don't get what the big deal is with contracts. You can purchase an aircard off eBay and activate it month to month with Verizon, no contracts. You pay a $35 activation fee, and can turn it off at any time.

spoken for truth. I bought my verizon card off ebay, and only had to go through a credit check, but I am month to month, with no contract and only a $35 activation fee.

When I bought a phone last March, the Verizon Store rep told me you can't have a data card plan without a contract, period. It's easy to see why there is so much confusion here.

you talked to the wrong rep then. Call back and ask for another. If you buy your own equipment, they can't force you into a 2 year contract. Now if your credit isn't any good, then they will require a deposit.

You were misinformed then. I bought my current aircard off eBay and activated it on a month-to-month basis. It's getting to the point where I'll probably deactivate it until around the chaser convention, where i'll pay another $35 to activate it, then $60 a month after that.

x2. my bill is exactly $60.07 a month with tax and never a penny more.

 

[Matthew Crowther]

Since I live in Atlanta and only chase about 3 weeks a year, I bought an Alltel USB data card and have been activating/deactivating it seasonally and paying the reconnect fee- it would be impractical and expensive to pay a monthly fee for a service I only use for a few weeks (I have an IPhone as my regular home service). With the official death of Alltel will I still be able to reactivate next spring without a contract?

 

[J Kinkaid]

Since I live in Atlanta and only chase about 3 weeks a year, I bought an Alltel USB data card and have been activating/deactivating it seasonally and paying the reconnect fee- it would be impractical and expensive to pay a monthly fee for a service I only use for a few weeks (I have an IPhone as my regular home service). With the official death of Alltel will I still be able to reactivate next spring without a contract?

yes but you will no longer have unlimited data and have to pay a higher reconnect fee than you did will Alltel

 

[Jason Bolt]

One thing I can say is that customer service from Verizon has been fantastic so far. I am still an Alltel customer for a week or so, but Verizon reps have been very open with answering all my questions, even being honest with "I don't know yet" about things they are still uncertain of. I'm watching this closely as I have two phone lines and a data card w/ Alltel right now. One thing I am being told consistently is to settle into an Alltel data plan before the cutoff if I want one on my phone as the Verizon options will be considerably more $. This is for the phone, not data card. For example, right now data on my Palm Treo 755p only costs me $9.99/month since I didn't buy the phone from Alltel. I have what is called a connect pack. On Verizon, this won't work the same way apparently so I am better off changing to a true data plan for $19.99 or $29.99 instead of winding up on a Verizon plan for more $. If anyone has reliable info to contradict that I'm all ears!

 

[D. Hayes]

One place I have been keeping an eye on is www.crackberry.com for details on the switch. It's mainly a blackberry website but there are many representatives from Verizon on there.

So far I'm going to try and not move into a new contract under Verizon. I'm hoping when my 2 year runs out with Alltel/Verizon I can maintain my contract package/price indefinitely. That is until my phone needs replaced and I want to upgrade.