Alltel offers the same unlimited plan for $99.99 so Verizon doesn't really win there...they just match them. You lose mycircle with the Alltel plans, but they look pretty similar other than that. Some Alltel customers will gain because they will have unlimited calling to Verizon customers which is a pretty huge chunk of cell phone customers. Some Alltel customers will lose out because they do most of their calling to their parents/siblings on land line numbers. The ones that lose out will either adjust their plans (more likely) or switch to a similar plan with T-Mobile. I doubt they'll jump ship to AT&T because they would just run into the same problem (lack of mycircle).

VZW wins because of the quality of the network and the ability to use it anywhere in the country.

But I see your point.

Alltel didn't want to launch that plan but had no choice, since they risked losing all of their high arpu subs.

This is why ATT and everyone else had to hop on the bandwagon.

I like My circle, I think it's a good idea. Ultimately however, I think that the unlimited plans will be cheaper. Data cards and push to talk will be the near future.

Other wireless network applications will be coming around later.

I personally can't wait for data speeds that match my home internet provider. I want to drop them quick. Cable companies suck.

Alltel's network was just as good as Verizon's when you're talking about voice quality and data speeds. Alltel had coverage where Verizon didn't and vice versa. That's why they roamed off of each other all over the place. Nebraska, for example, was entirely Alltel until very recently. North and South Dakota are mostly Alltel as well.

I don't think that the launch of mycircle had much to do with trying to stay alive and more to do with gaining customers to make them easier to sell. Alltel has been trying to sell the company for quite some time now.

you misunderstand me. I don't believe that my circle was an attempt to stay alive. I thought it was a great way to attract customers from the big carriers. I've always respected Alltel. They seem to be focused on quality of customer service and their network.

For that matter, I've always respected Tmobile also. Tmobile's strategy is to be a fun and affordable provider. I respect that.

ATT has tried to steal their identity from VZW. The more bars in more places wasn't launched until they realized the strength of VZW's brand recognition and perception as the most reliable and overall number one carrier.

I think that T-Mobile's image will change a bit once they start getting some of their new 3G phones. Their new commercials are aimed towards their coverage as well, but I think they're still trying to hang on to their younger market. Android could very well be the next big thing too, and T-Mobile will be the first to get it. I think that T-Mobile will either explode early next year or continue their current growth patterns. Either way, they're certainly not going anywhere.

They are a niche carrier. I don't think that they are going anywhere. I think that they will need to offer these other options to compete with VZW. VZW coverage after the merger will be awesome.

VZDUB1914 said:
Thanks rob. You are...the...

I can't do it.

Anyways...

VZW mobile to mobile is giving customers access to call more people for free.

My circle is a better feature/gimmick than rollover. I submit to you all however that rollover and mycircle cost the carriers alot of money to deal with with regards to their billing systems. Much easier to just offer unlimited calling to anyone. Easier to understand and to maintain.

VZW easily wins the 99.99 pricepoint.

Same old song and dance..."But you can talk tom80 million people.....READ the comments of HoFO They don't care about 80 million that are not currently talking to 13 MILLION....You are goig to have to find a different line ...
(continues)

Many people are migrating to the unlimited plans and will continue to do so as landline customers cut the cord.