Alltel

CNET editors' take

• Reviewed by: Kent German
• Reviewed on: 06/07/2007

Editor's note: Because evaluating wireless coverage requires experience with the network in a wide variety of physical locations, CNET does not rate wireless carriers. We can, however, tell you everything you need to know about the major carriers. We invite your feedback and ratings in our user opinions section--the more input we get from around the U.S., the better our users can evaluate coverage at a national level.

The largest of the regional carriers, Alltel covers 12.2 million customers in 35 states. Headquartered in Little Rock, Ark., its native CDMA coverage is concentrated in the Southeast, the Midwest, and the Southwest. Outside of its home area, it has roaming agreements with coverage from Verizon Wireless and Sprint. On the device side, it offers a decent selection of handsets and smart phones that include such features as EV-DO compatibility and push-to-talk support. Alltel's Axcess data and entertainment service offers a variety of multimedia and GPS applications including video, PC-to-phone music transfers, and XM Radio.

Things you should know:

• This carrier offers an unlimited calling plan.
• As a CDMA carrier, international coverage is limited.
• Alltel's My Circle gives you unlimited calling minutes to any 20 numbers on any network, even landlines.
• Offers both regional and national plans, unlimited messaging packages and a plan that includes Canada and Mexico.
• Carries mostly LG, Motorola, Samsung, and Kyocera handsets and BlackBerry and Treo smart phones.
• Roaming outside Alltel's native coverage area may cost extra depending on your service plan. However, the company's EV-DO network is accessible in most urban areas on laptops with an Alltel data card.
• Its Celltop application offers an innovative and easy-to-use cell phone interface. Also, its Voice2TXT will convert your voice mails into text messages.
• Live Verizon Wireless uses BREW instead of Java for gaming and other applications, which can limit the number of choices available to consumers.

Fast facts:

• Subscribers: 12.2 million
• Coverage: Alltel's native coverage is limited to 35 states. As with all carriers, reception will vary due to location.
• Technology: CDMA; 1xRTT; EV-DO
• 3G network: Yes
• Streaming video service: Yes
• Music download service: No
• Push-to-talk: Yes
• Analog roaming: Yes
• Prepay plans: Yes
• Family plans: Yes

See more CNET content tagged:

Alltel Corp.,

EVDO,

coverage,

CDMA,

Sprint Nextel

User opinions

WRITE YOUR OWN REVIEW How would you rate this product?

• 8/10 Excellent September 3, 2007

  by bioguyva (see profile)

  "10 year customer, great plans, average customer service, small selection of phones" Read more >>

• 10/10 Perfect June 16, 2007

  by lordbrian1 (see profile)

  "Best Service We Have EVER Had!" Read more >>

• 9/10 Spectacular June 14, 2007

  by QiqJoe (see profile)

  "More than just regional, Alltel is truly an international network." Read more >>

• WRITE YOUR OWN REVIEWSee all 73 user opinions >>

Similar products

• Verizon Wireless
  • Users' rating: 6.9 out of 10
• AT&T (formerly Cingular Wireless)
  • Users' rating: 5.9 out of 10
• T-Mobile
  • Users' rating: 6.9 out of 10
• LG Glimmer
  • Editors' rating: 8.3 out of 10
  • Users' rating: 8.1 out of 10
• Sprint Nextel
  • Users' rating: 6.1 out of 10

Where to buy

Alltel

Please see CNET's Cell phone plan finder to purchase a phone with Alltel service.