http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/ Engadget Comments for FTC clears Verizon acquisition of Alltel, last hurdle crossed http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/Dec 10th 2008 2:39PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/Dec 10th 2008 2:48PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/
Erm, what?]]>Dec 10th 2008 4:24PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/
Which is a fraction of available smartphones out there.

But guess I've been spoilt over the past years having been with Vodafone, picking up phones (thats ANY phone) as I liked and only having to switch the SIM card.... (and syncing contacts)]]>Dec 10th 2008 4:47PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/
And all those phones are crippled for Verizon. Hell, the Touch PRO isn't even worth owning, because Verizon cut out half of its ram and knocked a chunk off the processor speed. Not to mention the fact that you are STILL forced to use VZNavigator, instead of a more open-source GPS application, despite the phone being a Windows Mobile device.]]>Dec 10th 2008 5:57PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/easy on the caps]]>Dec 10th 2008 6:00PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/
Vodafone? You mean the 45% owner and founder of Verizon? ]]>Dec 30th 2008 9:40PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/Dec 19th 2008 5:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/
Or will they spin them off and have the Verizon guy and the Alltell guy act like best friends?]]>Dec 10th 2008 2:43PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/Dec 10th 2008 2:47PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/Dec 10th 2008 3:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/Dec 10th 2008 3:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/Dec 10th 2008 4:16PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/Dec 10th 2008 5:20PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/
'Can you hear me now' guy says 'Can you hear me now?' into his phone
'Chad' from Alltell answers 'Yes'

Cut scene.

Primo advertising idea right there people.]]>Dec 10th 2008 11:11PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/Dec 10th 2008 2:48PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/Dec 10th 2008 3:35PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/Dec 10th 2008 3:45PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/Dec 10th 2008 2:48PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/Regardless, they can both blaze up a fatty together as their careers are now over.]]>Dec 10th 2008 4:24PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/Dec 10th 2008 2:51PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/
Alltel covered pretty much everywhere the big national guys didn't cover.

They were a small mobile carrier that grew to a nice size and held markets the others couldn't get into. This is one of the reasons Verizon is buying them.]]>Dec 10th 2008 2:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/
should be noted i live in a terrible place...]]>Dec 10th 2008 2:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/Dec 10th 2008 4:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/Dec 10th 2008 5:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/
My family (mom, stepdad, 2 brothers) have alltel. I have verizon. I think their cell bill is around 180 a month for 4 people. I pay 52. Without getting into a whole list of details, I don't see the gain of alltel over verizon as far as carrier quality. Certainly not in price.

Oh and the employees at the closest alltel store are Class A Douche' Bags.]]>Dec 10th 2008 6:50PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/
This buyout was one of the things that made me decide to go with AT&T. That and the fact that I have some great choices for handsets.]]>Dec 11th 2008 11:09AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/Dec 10th 2008 2:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/Dec 10th 2008 2:59PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/Dec 10th 2008 3:16PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/Dec 10th 2008 3:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/Dec 10th 2008 5:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/
With no plans to change? Ever heard of LTE and wimax?

I dont know why im getting down ranked for wanting 4g to come and replace CDMA. ]]>Dec 10th 2008 5:45PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/Dec 10th 2008 3:04PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/Dec 10th 2008 4:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/Dec 10th 2008 3:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/Dec 10th 2008 5:10PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/Dec 10th 2008 3:17PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/Dec 10th 2008 3:20PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/Dec 10th 2008 3:28PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/
Get educated: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3G]]>Dec 10th 2008 5:14PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/I just got the new Moto Hint from alltel (which is awesome btw) last weekend and the guy at the retail store said that everything was already approved and that it was only a matter of time..? He had no idea when, even though both companies stated that the merger would be complete near the end of 2008.. You'd think that all they would have to do is flip a switch lol jk but they should still let us know.. Oh and the alltel logo on the back is going to annoy the hell out of me.. grr
]]>Dec 10th 2008 3:36PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/Dec 10th 2008 3:40PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/
You are incorrect. See below

"the FTC apparently didn't require that Verizon make any further concessions..." ]]>Dec 10th 2008 4:11PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/Dec 10th 2008 4:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/
I can't wait to have even worse service than Verizon has now. I can't wait for the new plans with $2 text messages and 100 minutes for $59 a month.

As much as people badmouth Sprint they at least came close to the rate quoted. I had a $39 plan and my bill was always $45 after taxes and surcharges. Verizon always finds a way to make a $39 bill into a $70 bill without really saying why.

I also love how Verizon doesn't count inCalling half the time. Verizon is a terrible company, pretty close to Adelphia cable.

Hey FTC and DOJ, DO YOUR DAMN JOB. You are supposed to prevent mergers that will harm consumers. Every merger over the past 20 years has done nothing but hurt consumers. Look at the damn banks. Now we have three mega banks that don't have to lend money because there aren't enough small banks to pose a threat.]]>Dec 10th 2008 4:44PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/
1) the taxes and surcharges are based on government and local rates and are (for the most part) carrier independent
2) Verizon holds the NUMBER ONE spot in every demographic in the latest Consumer Reports tests (either last month or the month before), including Customer Service and coverage
3) Probably the best customer support reps I've ever talked to, and willing to wheel and deal is a huge plus - not to mention they're AMERICAN
4) I've never had an issue with in-calling, and a quick Google search reveals you're pretty much alone on that one.

I pay $35 a month for 1400 shared minutes (at the end of the month, between the 4 lines we have, we use maybe 800) and unlimited texts/pic/video/IM to everyone (I go through 7000 a month easy)....AFTER taxes.

Show me a better deal on any network and I'll sign right up.]]>Dec 10th 2008 11:47PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/Dec 11th 2008 10:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/Jan 6th 2009 4:27PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/10/ftc-clears-verizon-acquisition-of-alltel-last-hurdle-crossed/Dec 10th 2008 5:45PM