Verizon Wireless and Alltel Pays $30 Million to Florida Subscribers

Verizon Wireless and Alltel ran into some trouble due to misleading and unwanted third-party billing. Florida customers sued these wireless networks for charging them with misleading and unwanted third-party billing for services.

It appears that customers in Florida received bills that included fees for unwanted and unknown services such as music, horoscopes and ringtones. These charges mysteriously appeared with indiscernible names such as "OpenMarket," and "M-Blox."

Verizon Wireless and Alltel agreed to settle the matter with the affected Florida subscribers. Attorney General Bill McCollum announced the major details of this major wireless network complaint settlement on Wednesday.

These troubled wireless networks will reimburse a total of $30 million to the affected consumers.
Verizon Wireless will refund an estimated $24 million and Alltel will shell out $6 million.

Verizon Wireless and Alltel will also pay the state of Florida about $1.5 million to cover the cost of this misleading and unwanted third-party billing investigation. These wireless networks are also in the process of implementing steps to prevent such practices. With over $30 million in damages, I don't blame them.

AT&T also suffered from a similar complaint last year. Big Blue was also forced to reimburse affected customers across the nation.

Affected customers should expect a settlement website with official legal information on how to obtain money from the settle should be established soon.

That's it for this news on the Verizon Wireless and Alltel settlement. Tune in to this blog for more news and updates on wireless networks.

Verizon Wireless: the Nation's Largest Wireless Network

Here's a wireless network update. Verizon Wireless proudly announced that it has taken the title of the largest US wireless network by completing its merge with Alltel. I have blogged about this topic a few times and it seems that the Verizon Wireless-Alltel merger is about to be completed.

Prior to the completion of the Verizon Wireless-Alltel merger, AT&T held the title as the largest US wireless network. Verizon wireless was considered as the second largest US wireless network until it completed its union with Alltel. Now, Verizon Wireless can proudly claim that it now owns the top spot as the largest US wireless network.

The completion of the Verizon Wireless-Alltel merger means that Verizon has become the largest wireless network with a coverage of 290 million people and serves more than 83.7 million total customers. On the other hand, AT&T with 74.9 million wireless customers, becomes the second largest US wireless network.

The wireless network scene first heard about the Verizon Wireless-Alltel merger for $5.9 billion in equity on June, 2008. In order to complete the Verizon Wireless-Alltel merger, the current largest US wireless network took over about $22.2 billion in Alltel's debt. These requirements were ordered by both the US Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

This means that Alltel customers in areas served by both Alltel and Verizon will not be included in the Verizon Wireless-Alltel merger. The Alltel customers affected by the Verizon Wireless-Alltel merger will be informed that their service will change.

Some experts feel that it will take some time before the Verizon Wireless-Alltel merge will become fully integrated although both companies use CDMA cellular technology in their wireless networks. It make take time to merge the network operations and billing systems of the largest US wireless network.

Now, how will AT&T respond to the Verizon Wireless-Alltel merger. I think that they will find ways to regain their former position as the the largest US network. Competition among US carriers is intense so there is no doubt that the rivals of the current largest US network will try to take over the divested customers.

That's is for this post on the Verizon Wireless-Alltel merger forming the largest US wireless network. Tune in to this blog for more news and updates on major US wireless carriers.

New CellPhones for Verizon Wireless

Here's some new mobile phones for Verizon Wireless subscribers. The wireless network operator has a added couple of new clamshells and a slider phone in their cell phone line ups. Let's become familiar with these new Verizon handsets.


Let's begin with the new clamshells form Motorola, the MOTO VU204 and the VU30 Rapture.

The MOTO VU204 is a slim clamshell cellphone designed to offer the every day needs of users and offer useful tools and services offered by Verizon Wireless. The MOTO VU204 is a capable messaging device and offers messaging applications such as e-mail, text messaging, picture messaging and mobile Instant Messaging. This is also a very affordable handset that will be offered for $30 after rebate contract.

Here are the rest of the main features of the MOTO VU204:

VGA camera with 4x digital zoom
2.5mm headset jack
USB 2.0 port
Bluetooth wireless technology,
Verizon Wireless’ Media Center
VZ Navigator


The Motorola VU30 Rapture is also a clamshell mobile phone. This elegant handset features a touch-sensitive external display that provides quick access to music applications. The Rapture also sports a dedicated shutter button for it's 2.0 megapixel camera. This stylish flip phone is available for $130 after rebate with new agreement.

iPhone

Here are the rest of the key features for the Motorola VU30 Rapture:

stereo Bluetooth
2.5mm headset jack
microSD card slot
Verizon's Rhapsody support
VZ Navigator


Verizon is also offering a new slider phone from Samsung, the u650 Sway. This stylish slider phone is being offered for $70 with new agreement after rebates and will be available on October 14. This handset sports an elegant a silver finish and has a great 2 megapixel camera with Night Shot and video recording ability.


Here are highlight features of the Samsung u650 Sway for Verizon Wireless:

stereo Bluetooth
microSD slot
Mobile IM
Hearing aid compatibility
Verizon's V CAST
Rhapsody music store support


Verison Wireless has also announced that its acquisition of Alltel Wireless for $28.1 billion is going as planned. The wireless network operator should completely merge with Alltel by the end of 2008. However, some analysts predict that the merge may not go smoothly. The current US economic crises may pose some problems for Verizon Wireless plans.

That's it for this post. keep on visiting this blog for the latest news and updates on US wireless network operators.

The Top Ten Wireless Carriers of 2007

Here's an interesting list on the top ten wireless networks of 2007. These ratings were made based on the subscriber numbers at the end of 2007. The figures were taken from the company reports and quarterly statements made by these national and regional licensed wireless carriers.

Top Ten U.S. Wireless Service Providers

1. AT&T

2. Verizon

3. Sprint Nextel

4. T-Mobile

5. Alltel

6. U.S. Cellular

7. MetroPCS

8. Leap Wireless

9. Centennial

10. Rural Cellular

The rankings show that AT&T Mobility remains as the top wireless network in the mobile phone industry. With just over 70 million subscribers, it's the clear winner when it comes to the number of customers. A big part of AT&T's success is probably due to their exclusive right to sell the iPhone.

The number two spot has been secured by Verizon Wireless. This wireless network closed the year with more than 65 million customers. However, it took the number one spot in terms of total revenues for the year. The mobile phone service provider will probably increase it customer base as it has recently completed its acquisition of number ten. carrier, Rural Cellular Corp.

Sprint Nextel Corp. remains rooted in the third spot despite being plagued by problems. However, the wireless network will have difficulty in closing in to it's bigger rivals. T-Mobile USA is at the number four spot. The carrier's recent acquisition of SunCom Wireless Holdings Inc., will increase it's customers by a significant number this year. Check out the details of this report at RCR Wireless News.

LG Glimmer Coming to Alltel Wireless

I came upon an exciting piece of wireless network news for Alltel subscribers. The interesting thing is that the source of this information is from Asia.

LG Korea has made it known that the Glimmer or the LG-AX830 will be made available on Alltel wireless. The fliers about the release of this mobile phone have started appear last month. But, the news was confirmed only a few days ago with the announcement made by LG Korea.

The LG Glimmer has not yet appeared on the wireless network's site but the press release indicate that subscribers can get the phone in the next few weeks. I know that Alltel subscribers will be delighted by these news and are excited to get their hands in this nice device.

The LG Glimmer may not be familiar to many mobile phone fans so let me offer a brief description of the phone and its features. The LG-AX830 is similar to the LG Shine in appearance but offers its own unique appeal. The device is in the form of a slider and is Bluetooth capable like the latest handsets. The device is powered by an 800 mAh battery that gives users up to 7 days of standby time and 3.5 hours of talk time.

For subscribers who want to take pictures, this phone is a good choice because it comes with a 2-megapixel camera. The wireless network's new device is also a good entertainment device because it has a media player that can cope with MP3, WMA, AAC and AAC+ audio files. Another neat thing about the LG Glimmer's media player is that when it is hooked up to a PC via USB, it shows up as a mass storage device.

The handset also features a 2.8" 262K color 240×400 touchscreen that gives it a unique appeal. It can accept 4GB microSD cards and user can use the speaker-independent voice control when they make calls or listen to music. Alltel subscribers will also like the fact that the Glimmer is compatible with the Access TV and Navigation subscription services of their wireless network.

The device is supported by EV-DO but a GSM version may become available in the following weeks or months. I hope this news can make Alltel subscribers and LG fans smile.

LG Vu AX565 and LG Scoop Now Available at Alltel Wireless

Alltel Wireless customers can now two of the hottest devices in the mobile phone market. There is no doubt that many subscribers of the wireless network are itching to get their hands on these phones.

Let us first talk about the LG Vu. This phone is designed for streaming Web videos. Some cell phone analyst expect this neat wireless device to usher in the MediaFLO age which will allow wireless networks to offer Mobile television services.

The 1.3 MP camera with video capabilities that come with this phone will give customers the ability to create their own videos. Wireless network subscribers will also enjoy the other features of this phone especially the chat-style text messaging and Music player with FM transmitter.

The specific information on this phone are not yet available of this moment. I found out through this blog that the Vu is priced at $69.99 after rebates have been deducted and and a 2 year contract has been signed, However, let me make up for it with this video review.This should give you enough info to satisfy your curiosity about this phone.



Now let's move on to the LG Scoop the other well anticipated phone to be launched by Alltel. This cool phone is the wireless network's version of Sprint's LG Rumor. It comes in three colors that customers will love. They can choose form slate gray, turquoise blue and citrus orange.

This device is messaging friendly because of the QWERTY keyboard and chat-style IM it offers. these features will give you thumbs a break from pushing buttons while composing text messages. This phones also has AOL Instant Messenger and Yahoo! Messenger for those who love to chat over the web. Its 1.3 MP camera with video capabilities and Bluetooth capabilities makes this device a cool phone indeed. You can check the rest of the details of the LG rumor by clicking here.

Wow, with all the cool phones being launch, choosing one can really be an ordeal. The mobile phone market is constantly growing so better phones are being released all the time. I need to save a few bucks to be able to buy a new cool phone because my current phone is growing old fast. Anyway, i hope you can get useful info from this post.

T-Mobile Tops Customer Service Survey

Let's applaud T-Mobile for doing a good job of making their subscribers happy.

In the latest study conducted by the researchers of J.D. Power and Associates, T-Mobile USA Inc. remained as the top wireless carrier in terms of customer service performance. For the past several studies done by the research company, T-Mobile has stayed rooted at the top. It must be good to be a customer of this wireless network.

Let me describe how the study is done. The research gathers information on how well the wireless carriers meet customers’ service-related needs. They look at several types of services including those done over the phone with a representative, via automated response system, personal visits to T-Mobile retail stores and online transactions.

To complete the study, researchers form J.D. Power and Associates also measures the efficiency of how customers’ issues are resolved. About twelve and a half thousand wireless customers who contacted their carrier’s customer-care department within the past year were the foundation of this research.

Other wireless networks also did well in this customer satisfaction study. Verizon Wireless was ranked number two while AT&T and Alltel are tied at the third spot. Sprint Nextel Corp. ranked last in the study but they made announcements before the end of last year that they will initiate programs driven towards improving customer service.

Several interesting findings also surfaced as a result of this customer satisfaction study. For instance, nearly half of wireless customers connected to the customer care service of their wireless networks. Most of them were related to inaccurate charges and other inquiries related to bills.

A lot of wireless network customers contacted their carriers by phone but most people still prefer personal visits to a retail store. Maybe people feel more comfortable with doing things personally. In my experience, nothing beats talking personally with a customer care representative when discussing a problem.

I hope that this post have been helpful for you. If you haven't chosen a particular network, then the results of the study might help you form a decision.

New Mobile Phones from Alltel

I have some exciting news for Alltel customers and other wireless network enthusiasts.

A few days ago, Alltel wireless has announced that they will add two new mobile phones and a new Blackberry to their lineup. The red BlackBerry Pearl 8130 will now be a member of Alltel's smartphone lineup. The LG Scoop and the Samsung Muse will also be available in the upcoming months.

Let's preview these exciting wireless devices. let's begin with the red BlackBerry Pearl 8130.

The BlackBerry 8130 is marketed as "Research In Motion" and is the first Pearl designed for CDMA networks. This smart phone is also more advanced when compared to the original Pearl.

It sports a 2 megapixel camera with video capture, stereo Bluetooth, 3.5mm headphone jack and an improved SureType keypad. Customers will also benefit from other exciting features such as push email, EVDO data, GPS, and the memory card slot. This smart phone cost $150 with a $100 mail-in rebate and a two-year contract.

The Pearl 8130 offered by Alltel is essentially the same device that is being offered by Verizon Wireless and Sprint. The feature list remains unchanged but the main difference is in color. Alltel offers a Red BlackBerry 8130 so those who love to carry a flashy smart phone will love this device.

Let us now proceed to the Samsung Muse u706 that is to be offered by Alltel. This mobile phone is a mid-range flip phone that music lovers will love.

To provide great musical experience, the dedicated music player keys and XM Radio Mobile compatibility will do the work. This phone also works with Alltel's new Celltop music-streaming application so it's a great toy for music loving customers .

Customers will also enjoy the 2 Megapixel camera, GPS, stereo Bluetooth, and other exciting features that are included in this wonderful mobile phone. The GPS feature is also a big attraction to this phone. It is complemented by Alltel's Axcess Mobile Guide navigation application that provides turn-by-turn directions and maps to help customers find their destination.

Lastly, let us check out the LG Scoop. Alltel customers who like an affordable but classy and effective phone will appreciate the Scoop. This device is the re-branded version of the LG Rumor.

The device is designed for messaging and slides open sideways to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard. Customers who like to send text messages will appreciate this feature. This wireless device will work with Alltel's Axcess Voice2TXT service. This service will allow customers to that converts voicemails they receive into to text messages.

However, this phone is more than just a messaging phone. It also offers a a 1.3 Megapixel camera and Bluetooth capabilities. Customers can purchase the Scoop in three colors. Alltel has not yet released a price for the Scoop and the LG Muse.

I hope that you will be pleased with this piece of wireless network information. I think Alltel will release more info about these devices including the prices of the Scoop and the Muse so tune in to their website if you are interested.

Judge Rules in Favor of Alltel!

Last week, I made a post about Alltell being sued by Verizon Wireless for false advertising.

An Alltel ad that claimed only Alltel gives wireless customers the ability to change their calling plans without having to extend the term of their contracts is the root of the problem. Since Verizon have began to allow their customers to change their wireless plans without requiring an extension of their contracts about two months ago, they filed a complaint against Alltel.

However, things did not go Verizon's way as a U.S. District Judge in Richmond, Va has refused to grant a temporary restraining order that would have forced Alltel Wireless to drop the controversial ad.

Alltel’s Laura Cook announce that, “We are very pleased with Friday’s ruling and that the court recognized Verizon did not have grounds for the injunction it requested.”

This is certainly interesting. I wonder how Verizon will respond to this setback. They have declined to comment on this ruling but I expect Verizon to make an appropriate response to this conflict.

Alltell Sued by Verizon for False Advertising

It seems that another dispute between two major wireless phone carriers or networks has began.

Apparently, Verizon Wireless has filed a civil suit in the federal court in Richmond, Va. against Alltel Corp. on the grounds of making false advertising claims. The origin of this problem is an Alltel ad that claimed only Alltel gives wireless customers the ability to change their calling plans without having to extend the term of their contracts.

Verizon reacted unfavorably to this Altell Ad because they have began to allow their customers to change their wireless plans without requiring an extension of their contracts about two months ago. After this important decision they contacted Alltel about the carrier’s ad to request that it be changed.

Now, Altell claims that it granted Verizon Wireless' request to cahnge the ad. Andrew Moreau, a spokesman for Alltel said, “We did make edits to that ad to accommodate Verizon’s position. The version of the ad that Verizon filed with its complaint was a prior version of the ad so it didn’t reflect the edits that we made.”

However, Verizon Wireless claims Alltel continued to air the unedited advertisement throughout last year and into 2008. The carrier wrote in court documents that,

"Verizon Wireless notified Alltel of these falsehoods and reasonably believed that any such false advertising would cease on or before Thanksgiving. However, Alltel has continued to run advertising falsely and misleadingly contending that only Alltel offers wireless customers the ability to change their service without changing their contract term.”

As of this time Verizon Wireless declined to make any comment beyonds the lawsuit. Read more about this wireless network news at rcrnews.com

The Continuing Struggle to Please Customers

Compared to retailers and credit-card companies, wireless carriers provide a less useful and enjoyable customer experience. This was the information gathered from a study done by Forrester research. Perhaps this information also moved some carriers to promise better programs to increase consumer satisfaction next year.

It certainly seem logical for wireless service providers to pay attention to giving better service because the study ranked them fifth among nine industries. Retailers, investment firms, insurance companies and credit-card providers were all rated as giving better service than wireless networks.

Of course, wireless providers have also scored some points with their customers because they consider Internet service providers, TV service providers and medical insurance providers inferior to wireless carriers in terms of customer satisfaction. However, considering that the wireless phone industry is probably the fastest growing and most lucrative industry in this age, increasing the level of customer satisfaction should be made a priority. After all, a
happy and satisfied customer will be willing to spend more.

Sprint and Nextel brands, Alltel Corp., Virgin Mobile USA and prepaid provider Tracfone Wireless Inc. were included in the Forrester survey. The results showed that Virgin Mobile USA Inc. received the top ranking while the Sprint and Nextel brands received the lowest marks. Alltel ranked second followed by T-Mobile USA Inc. Verizon Wireless came in at No. 4, followed by Tracfone, and AT&T Mobility.

Virgin Mobile USA received “excellent” rating for ease of use. it also garnered the highest rank for its usefulness and whether or not their experience with the company was enjoyable. This is interesting since Mobile USA’s service runs on Sprint Nextel Corp.’s CDMA network.

It seems that Sprint Nextel is consistently earning thumbs-down from various consumer surveys. For instance, Consumer Reports’ said that it would not recommend service from Sprint unless a customer specifically wanted push-to-talk service. The company has also ranked near the bottom of customer satisfaction surveys by J.D. Power and Associates.

Fortunately, Sprint has responded to this ratings by hiring several thousand more customer care representatives to improve the customer experience. The company is also planning to increase its focus on retaining subscribers rather than trying to bring in new ones and launch loyalty-based incentive programs. Hopefully, the company will be able to increase it's stature in terms of providing customer care.