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What to expect with AllTel?
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| keyes04@netscape.net 2005-05-19, 12:01 pm |
| Our small privately held regional provider just closed their sale to
AllTel, but the big public rollout won't be until 1 June. Things will
roll along as usual until then. Our company began a transition to GSM
last year, and we switched to it with a 2-year contract (we've long
ago learned to trust the old company so we didn't worry about that
long a commitment). Though some of the contract terms were a bit
vague, they weren't substantially different than our old contracts
from previous plans (we've stayed with the company for about 8 years
now and learned to trust them very highly). We just "knew" the price
would stay the same through the contract, and they'd raise rates if
they needed to only after the contract period expired. They've been
outstanding in that regard over the years. Plus their rates have
always been the best available.
Enter AllTel. Our rates are far below anything AllTel has on their
web site for similar plans, and other provisions are much better too.
But the contract AllTel now owns for the next year and a half, gives
them the ~right~ to raise the rates during the contract period, if
they so choose. And on top of that, the stong rumor is that they'll
give us all new phones and convert us to an "equivalent" CDMA plan
(which would seem plausible since they don't do GSM). That would mean
either much higher prices, or *very* substantially reduced minutes and
other features, if we're stuck with AllTel's current rate plans.
Has anyone had experience with an AllTel takeover of their provider?
I'd appreciate experiences particularly with how they handled
rates/plans that were substantially better then what they offer to
their own current customers, and whether they moved quickly to switch
from GSM to CDMA or allowed the contracts to expire before phasing out
their newly acquired GSM equipment.
(Our provider has been selling GSM contracts like crazy since
Thanksgiving, and interestingly they're STILL selling GSM even though
AllTel now fully owns the company - just hasn't changed the signs yet.
They're even still running special inducements to bring in more GSM
business. Go figure.... Personally, I'm suspicious, since AllTel
could have stopped that on 1 March with ease.)
We don't have a clue what AllTel will do in terms of enforcing the
contracts and/or higher rates (legal under the contract) and even
different technology. And with the 2 year agreement, we've got a $200
non-prorated early termination penalty that could force us into some
expensive decision making (we'd never have signed that contract had we
known they'd be bought by AllTel just 5 months after we signed it).
In short, we just don't know what to expect, and I don't trust AllTel
until they show by experience they can be trusted. From some
indications so far (plus their own web site), I'm not optimistic.
Experiences? Good? Bad? Ugly?!? {great I hope???}
Thanks.
CR
| |
| Tropical Haven 2005-05-19, 12:01 pm |
|
keyes04@netscape.net wrote:
> Our small privately held regional provider just closed their sale to
<snip>
Who is (was) your small regional provider?
> (Our provider has been selling GSM contracts like crazy since
> Thanksgiving, and interestingly they're STILL selling GSM even though
> AllTel now fully owns the company - just hasn't changed the signs yet.
> They're even still running special inducements to bring in more GSM
> business. Go figure.... Personally, I'm suspicious, since AllTel
> could have stopped that on 1 March with ease.)
There is a possibility that Alltel will continue to maintain the GSM
network. Alltel has agreed to purchase Western Wireless, another CDMA
carrier. Western Wireless has been aggressively overlaying GSM coverage
over the entire network, and the GSM is exclusively for roamers.
Because spectrum has been transferred from other wireless providers to
Western Wireless specifically for GSM overlay, I presume that Alltel
will either have to keep that spectrum in GSM or return it to the
wireless providers in which it came from. Rumor has it that Alltel will
also start overlaying GSM in its own network areas, where roaming
revenue may make that feasible.
> We don't have a clue what AllTel will do in terms of enforcing the
> contracts and/or higher rates (legal under the contract) and even
> different technology. And with the 2 year agreement, we've got a $200
> non-prorated early termination penalty that could force us into some
> expensive decision making (we'd never have signed that contract had we
> known they'd be bought by AllTel just 5 months after we signed it).
>
> In short, we just don't know what to expect, and I don't trust AllTel
> until they show by experience they can be trusted. From some
> indications so far (plus their own web site), I'm not optimistic.
We'll have to see. I don't think it's usual for GSM carriers to sell
out to CDMA carriers. Or vice-versa.
> Experiences? Good? Bad? Ugly?!? {great I hope???}
>
> Thanks.
>
> CR
| |
| keyes04@netscape.net 2005-05-19, 12:01 pm |
| On Fri, 04 Mar 2005 23:37:38 GMT, Tropical Haven <user@example.net>
wrote:
>Who is (was) your small regional provider?
PSC (previously known as Public Service Cellular) located in Alabama &
GA.
>Rumor has it that Alltel will
>also start overlaying GSM in its own network areas, where roaming
>revenue may make that feasible.
I hope that rumor's true, of course.
>I don't think it's usual for GSM carriers to sell
>out to CDMA carriers. Or vice-versa.
I suspect this privately held company decided after many years to
either bail out because they saw handwriting on the wall, or saw a
good profit to be made and decided to "move on." I've wondered if
they possibly over-extended, given that they're the lowest price in
town with excellent features, plus they suddenly went to GSM last year
rather aggressively. I've also wondered if the AllTel deal was in the
works long before anyone on the outside (or most of those inside, for
that matter) heard about it. Unless it was planned that AllTel will
keep GSM, it just seems a little unlikely that the owners would go to
GSM so aggressively, market a very competitive product equally
aggressively, sell out, and AllTel allows them to continue to sell GSM
contracts almost exclusively now, even though the deal was finalized
this past Monday. They don't expect to be doing anything different
any time soon, either.
Still, our lower-than-anybody-else plans undercut what AllTel charges
anyone coming into AllTel via internet sign-up. We'll see....
CR
| |
| Tropical Haven 2005-05-19, 12:01 pm |
|
>
> PSC (previously known as Public Service Cellular) located in Alabama &
> GA.
>
>
> I hope that rumor's true, of course.
>
>
> I suspect this privately held company decided after many years to
> either bail out because they saw handwriting on the wall, or saw a
> good profit to be made and decided to "move on." I've wondered if
> they possibly over-extended, given that they're the lowest price in
> town with excellent features, plus they suddenly went to GSM last year
> rather aggressively. I've also wondered if the AllTel deal was in the
> works long before anyone on the outside (or most of those inside, for
> that matter) heard about it. Unless it was planned that AllTel will
> keep GSM, it just seems a little unlikely that the owners would go to
> GSM so aggressively, market a very competitive product equally
> aggressively, sell out, and AllTel allows them to continue to sell GSM
> contracts almost exclusively now, even though the deal was finalized
> this past Monday. They don't expect to be doing anything different
> any time soon, either.
>
> Still, our lower-than-anybody-else plans undercut what AllTel charges
> anyone coming into AllTel via internet sign-up. We'll see....
>
> CR
It could also be that Alltel has not current plans to convert that to
CDMA, but keep the GSM system as a wholly owned subsidiary...possibly
not even associating it with the Alltel brand name. Rural Cellular does
something like this.
TH
| |
| keyes04@netscape.net 2005-05-19, 12:01 pm |
| On Fri, 04 Mar 2005 23:37:38 GMT, Tropical Haven <user@example.net>
wrote:
>There is a possibility that Alltel will continue to maintain the GSM
>network. Alltel has agreed to purchase Western Wireless, another CDMA
>carrier. Western Wireless has been aggressively overlaying GSM coverage
>over the entire network, and the GSM is exclusively for roamers.
>Because spectrum has been transferred from other wireless providers to
>Western Wireless specifically for GSM overlay, I presume that Alltel
>will either have to keep that spectrum in GSM or return it to the
>wireless providers in which it came from. Rumor has it that Alltel will
>also start overlaying GSM in its own network areas, where roaming
>revenue may make that feasible.
>
>We'll have to see. I don't think it's usual for GSM carriers to sell
>out to CDMA carriers. Or vice-versa.
I just learned a couple of days ago from a PSC Wireless (officially
owned but not yet "branded" by AllTel) representative, that 15 July 05
is the target date to finish turning off PSC's GSM network and have
everyone converted over to CDMA. This has not yet been announced to
the public, and details of the transition are yet to be disclosed.
What is very unsettling is the fact that someone at the very top of
PSC knew well before the January 05 public announcement about the sale
to AllTel. Yet starting in the latter part of 2004 (and pushed
significantly starting with the Thanksgiving-Christmas holiday period,
and continuing even after the sale), GSM contracts were marketed in
PSC's coverage area as if they were the only thing worth having on the
face of the earth. The rates and features were almost too good to be
true. I'm looking at my latest bill (typical) for $56. For that
price, where else can one get the following: not one, but two
different numbers (and phones), so either or both of us can travel
anywhere in the U.S. and use our phones nights (after 7pm) and
weekends as long as we want, call anywhere in the U.S. from anywhere
in the U.S. without roaming charges, and also have 800 anytime minutes
(i.e. 7am-7pm M-F; after that it's night and weekend time) regardless
of whether we're in our home area or not.
It should have been seen as too good to be true, because it was. It
was a loss-leader. PSC had always been very, very customer oriented,
and very fair. With some changes in upper management a year or two
ago, that changed, though "we" customers didn't realize why things
were deteriorating - we just knew it was not the same service we were
used to.
My belief is that the upper levels of PSC, unknown to the sales or CSR
levels of course, designed the new low cost plans and aggressively
marketed them in order to lock in large numbers of 1- and 2-year
contracts, to fatten the sale deal. Even after the sale was annonced,
and continuing after it was fully closed on 28 February, the same low
cost plans were pushed heavily. Now only a month later it's already
known at the lower levels that AllTel never had any intention of
continuing the GSM contracts even to the end of the existing contract
periods. We'll all be forced into some unknown CDMA plan within about
90 days.
We will be "offered" replacement phones, and the company will be
"fair" to its customers, I was told the other day, but the nice young
lady could not explain what "fair" meant, and wouldn't even come close
to promising that the same contract provisions currently in place
would continue. Unfortunately, I read the fine print far too late
that unlike previous PSC contracts, these allow the company to
increase rates any time they desire. And unlike current AllTel
contracts, there's no "material change" clause, meaning they can up
the rates as much as they want without customer recourse (except
paying a $200 early termination fee). At least with current AllTel
customers, if rates go up by more than 10%, they have a 30 day option
to end the contract without penalty. I can only imagine what AllTel
is going to do with that "goodie." It may become very well worth it
to pay the $200 exit penalty and take our GSM phones to T-Mobile, for
their closest available plan. Looking at AllTel's web site tells me
they aren't likely to come up with ANYthing even close to what we
currently have under the existing contracts. Thus, $200 to get out of
AllTel could be far cheaper than continuing the current contracts.
Stupid me. I knew that "too good to be true" usually is, but trusted
PSC due to nearly 10 years service with them - mostly exceptional.
Little did I (and many others) know.
Judging from comments I've personally heard from a number of existing
PSC (now AllTel) customers who bought the GSM contracts in the past 6
months, there's going to be a huge outcry that will look very bad for
AllTel, and probably make the acquisition of PSC far less lucrative,
unless they at least continue the current contract provisions in their
conversion of GSM contracts to CDMA. I suspect that their loss of
revenue for the duration of the recent 1 and 2 year contracts, as
large numbers of customers bail out, will be far more than the revenue
generated by a mere $200/customer one time cancellation fee. And the
bad press that I already know is planned (conditioned on AllTel's
treatment of PSC contract holders) should do an even "nicer" job on
their ability to attract new customers in the former PSC area they
purchased. Hopefully it won't become necessary. We'll see....
CR
| |
| Tropical Haven 2005-05-19, 12:01 pm |
| >>There is a possibility that Alltel will continue to maintain the GSM
>
> I just learned a couple of days ago from a PSC Wireless (officially
> owned but not yet "branded" by AllTel) representative, that 15 July 05
> is the target date to finish turning off PSC's GSM network and have
> everyone converted over to CDMA. This has not yet been announced to
> the public, and details of the transition are yet to be disclosed.
>
> What is very unsettling is the fact that someone at the very top of
> PSC knew well before the January 05 public announcement about the sale
> to AllTel. Yet starting in the latter part of 2004 (and pushed
> significantly starting with the Thanksgiving-Christmas holiday period,
> and continuing even after the sale), GSM contracts were marketed in
> PSC's coverage area as if they were the only thing worth having on the
> face of the earth. The rates and features were almost too good to be
> true. I'm looking at my latest bill (typical) for $56. For that
> price, where else can one get the following: not one, but two
> different numbers (and phones), so either or both of us can travel
> anywhere in the U.S. and use our phones nights (after 7pm) and
> weekends as long as we want, call anywhere in the U.S. from anywhere
> in the U.S. without roaming charges, and also have 800 anytime minutes
> (i.e. 7am-7pm M-F; after that it's night and weekend time) regardless
> of whether we're in our home area or not.
>
> It should have been seen as too good to be true, because it was. It
> was a loss-leader. PSC had always been very, very customer oriented,
> and very fair. With some changes in upper management a year or two
> ago, that changed, though "we" customers didn't realize why things
> were deteriorating - we just knew it was not the same service we were
> used to.
>
> My belief is that the upper levels of PSC, unknown to the sales or CSR
> levels of course, designed the new low cost plans and aggressively
> marketed them in order to lock in large numbers of 1- and 2-year
> contracts, to fatten the sale deal. Even after the sale was annonced,
> and continuing after it was fully closed on 28 February, the same low
> cost plans were pushed heavily. Now only a month later it's already
> known at the lower levels that AllTel never had any intention of
> continuing the GSM contracts even to the end of the existing contract
> periods. We'll all be forced into some unknown CDMA plan within about
> 90 days.
>
> We will be "offered" replacement phones, and the company will be
> "fair" to its customers, I was told the other day, but the nice young
> lady could not explain what "fair" meant, and wouldn't even come close
> to promising that the same contract provisions currently in place
> would continue. Unfortunately, I read the fine print far too late
> that unlike previous PSC contracts, these allow the company to
> increase rates any time they desire. And unlike current AllTel
> contracts, there's no "material change" clause, meaning they can up
> the rates as much as they want without customer recourse (except
> paying a $200 early termination fee). At least with current AllTel
> customers, if rates go up by more than 10%, they have a 30 day option
> to end the contract without penalty. I can only imagine what AllTel
> is going to do with that "goodie." It may become very well worth it
> to pay the $200 exit penalty and take our GSM phones to T-Mobile, for
> their closest available plan. Looking at AllTel's web site tells me
> they aren't likely to come up with ANYthing even close to what we
> currently have under the existing contracts. Thus, $200 to get out of
> AllTel could be far cheaper than continuing the current contracts.
> Stupid me. I knew that "too good to be true" usually is, but trusted
> PSC due to nearly 10 years service with them - mostly exceptional.
> Little did I (and many others) know.
>
> Judging from comments I've personally heard from a number of existing
> PSC (now AllTel) customers who bought the GSM contracts in the past 6
> months, there's going to be a huge outcry that will look very bad for
> AllTel, and probably make the acquisition of PSC far less lucrative,
> unless they at least continue the current contract provisions in their
> conversion of GSM contracts to CDMA. I suspect that their loss of
> revenue for the duration of the recent 1 and 2 year contracts, as
> large numbers of customers bail out, will be far more than the revenue
> generated by a mere $200/customer one time cancellation fee. And the
> bad press that I already know is planned (conditioned on AllTel's
> treatment of PSC contract holders) should do an even "nicer" job on
> their ability to attract new customers in the former PSC area they
> purchased. Hopefully it won't become necessary. We'll see....
Good luck. I hope Alltel treats you appropriately (in terms of customer
service, not corporate profits).
My worries are what Alltel plans to do with the GSM infrastructure of
Western Wireless. There was a press release that said Alltel planned to
keep all current GSM infrastructure in place (for roaming purposes) and
possible even expand GSM coverage. Of course, with Western Wireless
being legally bound to GSM coverage with contracts and even the transfer
of spectrum exclusively for GSM service, Alltel would find itself in
trouble if it shut down WW's GSM.
Maybe, if you put enough of an uproar, you'll get to keep your plan.
It's expensive to provide customer service, so the more you call, the
more expensive it will be for them when you vent on each customer
service rep.
TH
| |
| keyes04@netscape.net 2005-05-19, 12:01 pm |
| On Tue, 12 Apr 2005 12:59:42 GMT, Tropical Haven <user@example.net>
wrote:
>My worries are what Alltel plans to do with the GSM infrastructure of
>Western Wireless. There was a press release that said Alltel planned to
>keep all current GSM infrastructure in place (for roaming purposes) and
>possible even expand GSM coverage. Of course, with Western Wireless
>being legally bound to GSM coverage with contracts and even the transfer
>of spectrum exclusively for GSM service, Alltel would find itself in
>trouble if it shut down WW's GSM.
It depends on the contract provisions. I found out recently that the
agreement our former/current provider has with Cingular/ATT & T-Mobile
can be modified under all sorts of provisions. For example, we
learned that T-Mobile elected to withdraw some of its towers from the
roaming agreement between them and PSC (our current/former provider).
It's all in the contract. It would depend if the WW contracts are set
in stone for certain time periods or not - and they may well not be
just so there's a safety bailout clause in case it becomes "necessary"
(or more profitable). It would seem somewhat strange that AllTel
would keep GSM in one takeover, but shut it down in another. But what
we're being told is that we'll all have to have new phones by July
because we'll be switched to CDMA - no choice about it. The employees
are just awaiting the actual training on the details.
>Maybe, if you put enough of an uproar, you'll get to keep your plan.
>It's expensive to provide customer service, so the more you call, the
>more expensive it will be for them when you vent on each customer
>service rep.
And there are other means of applying pressure - like unfavorable and
broad press/media coverage in local papers, talk shows, etc. I know
for certain that there are those (including myself) who are just
waiting to put those plans into action - depending, of course, on what
AllTel does with current customers locked into contracts.
C.R.
| |
| beth via CellPhoneKB.com 2005-05-19, 12:01 pm |
| First and foremost, as an account executive with both alltel and the
company I currently work for (though now as an RF performance tech), I
completely resent the advice to complain to as many cust service reps as
you can. At alltel, we had NOTHING to do with any decisions made at the
corporate level. There are so many rungs in the ladder to the person that
made that call it would take years to climb it. Don't waste their time and
give them that stress. Also, keep in mind that companies in this field
have "Notes" on every account, and each contact is "noted". The more of a
jerk you are, the more unwilling to accomodate you a company will be. If
you feel stressing an innocent representative out is a way to get what you
want, think again. I'm sure you're aware of how unhappy cooks can spit in
food, likewise unhappy reps can make things even harder for you.
Secondly, I was hired at alltel right after it took over a smaller company
named centurytel. The transition was horrible. Customers were sold CDMA
phones before their cell sites supported cdma, meaning all calls were
analog. The deadline came and went for the upgrade to be completed several
times.
My experience working for alltel was horrible, and I quit before I had
another job lined up or any money saved just because I could no longer
stand their practices.
My advice to you would be to find another GSM provider in your area:
cingular/at&t/centennial wireless... I'm not sure who's there. GSM is a
better and more reliable network and has a lot more to offer. I would not
be surprised if in a year verizon/alltel convert. Pay the ETF and get out!
| |
| keyes04@netscape.net 2005-05-19, 12:01 pm |
| On Sun, 24 Apr 2005 05:08:12 GMT, "beth via CellPhoneKB.com"
<forum@CellPhoneKB.com> wrote:
>First and foremost, as an account executive with both alltel and the
>company I currently work for (though now as an RF performance tech), I
>completely resent the advice to complain to as many cust service reps as
>you can. At alltel, we had NOTHING to do with any decisions made at the
>corporate level. There are so many rungs in the ladder to the person that
>made that call it would take years to climb it. Don't waste their time and
>give them that stress.
My "First and foremost" is that I wasn't the one who suggested that
option. I noted that there are some other types of options ready to
be put in place if AllTel decides to play hardball. Your resentment
should be directed toward another poster, if you feel a need to direct
it somewhere.
At the same time, while I tend to agree with not taking it out on low
level employees, if the complaints are politely made to the CSR, and
enough customers call with complaints, they do (or should) filter up
the line. That's part of the customer service function. If customers
aren't being properly serviced, it definitely warrants a call -
politely of course, since those folks obviously don't make policy and
have no authority. If customers don't call, management can
legitimately assume customers are happy. But if customer service is
bombarded with complaints (large number of people with strong
complaints and threats to terminate service, not large number of
complaints by a few people who keep calling over and over), management
will likely get the message and then the ball's in their court.
>My advice to you would be to find another GSM provider in your area:
>cingular/at&t/centennial wireless... I'm not sure who's there. GSM is a
>better and more reliable network and has a lot more to offer. I would not
>be surprised if in a year verizon/alltel convert. Pay the ETF and get out!
I'll do that if they try to force their CDMA plan at any higher cost
than I'm now paying. If they can give me exactly what I'm paying for
now in terms of service, I don't care if it's CDMA or GSM. And the
new phones better be free, too.
We were suckered into GSM contracts that were, apparently, too good to
be true. I have no doubt that there was collusion between the old
company and AllTel to boost customers (with contracts) before the sale
was announced. If AllTel won't honor them, I'll pay the ETF because
it would probably be cheaper anyway than staying with a more expensive
plan and being angry about it for the next 1½ years. Plus, I will not
continue to give them long term business (nor will a number of others
- this is really taking on a life of its own, and I suspect it'll
really explode big time once the majority of the recent contract
holders see what's going on). It's gonna be fun to watch - assuming
AllTel hasn't learned from past experience. We watched a regional
cable company end up filing bankruptcy after they messed over a large
number of new customers by suckering them in with a "great" deal.
Large numbers of them rebelled very vocally as they switched to the
other available cable providers, thereby reducing the "trash"
company's long term revenue. This area's already been there, done
that. The other wireless companies in this area (at least 5 off the
top of my head, including two GSM carriers) are quite aware of the
"pick-off" opportunity looming just ahead for AllTel customers. Oh,
those "special offers" for switching from AllTel can be quite
beneficial to former AllTel customers, as well as AllTel's
competition! Like I said, it's gonna be fun!
C.R.
| |
| beth via CellPhoneKB.com 2005-05-19, 12:01 pm |
| OK at least two things here...
At alltel and the company I am at now, there is no procedure for customer
complaints... what you say stresses us out, but that's as far as it gets.
If you actually want to get the result you stated from that, you need to
ask for management or higher,not the call center/store rep. In fact, one
of the fastest ways to get to upper management is to first ask for
management at your local level. If you can't talk on the phone, try to e-
mail them. If you don't get a response this way, feel free to file a
complaint with the BBB, this goes directly to the general manager or higher
then back to the store level if needed to resolve.
Secondly, I think it's sad that you would stay with alltel if they let you
keep your same rates, and would consider CDMA. Maybe you don't know the
difference? CDMA is a technology that allows the most users per channel
with poorer quality=most profit for company. Also you can still roam on
analog (for the time being), meaning there will be static in your calls.
Also, GSM is, after all, the Global System for Mobile communications, so
should you travel, you will have a compatible handset. Finally, GSM is the
most reliable network... our biggest problems actually go back to the trunk
(landline). CDMA has to maintain perfect power at all times, meaning if
one thing goes wrong a large area is affected.
So why would you stay with alltel despite their poor customer service
record, bad business practices, and cdma technology? Anymore there is
rarely a real difference in plans... quit being so cheap and thank a good
company for providing you with topnotch coverage, adaptible technology, and
great customer service!!
--
Message posted via http://www.cellphonekb.com
| |
| keyes04@netscape.net 2005-05-19, 12:01 pm |
| On Tue, 26 Apr 2005 03:30:25 GMT, "beth via CellPhoneKB.com"
<forum@CellPhoneKB.com> wrote:
>keep your same rates, and would consider CDMA.....
>
>So why would you stay with alltel despite their poor customer service
>record, bad business practices, and cdma technology? Anymore there is
>rarely a real difference in plans... quit being so cheap and thank a good
>company for providing you with topnotch coverage, adaptible technology, and
>great customer service!!
Very simple. With a 2-phone plan, I've just learned that they take
them as literally two separate contracts (which, after all, were
signed by me). Therefore TWO $200 ETFs. I can't afford $400 to
"teach AllTel a lesson," so to speak. I'll have to "eat" whatever
they give us or fight like crazy, or accept their binding arbitration.
If the plan is similar to what we have (well below AllTel's published
rates on their web site), I'll stick it out for another 18 months, and
never, never again sign a 2-year contract, no matter how good the
inducement is, or how good the company's been to me/us. Our prior
company (PSC Wireless) used to be an absolutely outstanding company.
Customer service was wonderful (fair, cheerful, and responsive), phone
service was excellent, etc. Little did anyone know (except at the
very top levels) that AllTel was buying them out until early this
year. That allowed them to sucker a very large number of GSM
customers in, knowing full well they'd be converted to CDMA once the
deal was closed. My nice phone would be GREAT to take over to
T-Mobile, but at $400 for the "privilege," it's not do-able. That's
why.
C.R.
| |
| steverino 2005-05-19, 12:01 pm |
|
keyes04@netscape.net Wrote:
> Our small privately held regional provider just closed their sale to
> AllTel, but the big public rollout won't be until 1 June. Things will
> roll along as usual until then. Our company began a transition to GSM
> last year, and we switched to it with a 2-year contract (we've long
> ago learned to trust the old company so we didn't worry about that
> long a commitment). Though some of the contract terms were a bit
> vague, they weren't substantially different than our old contracts
> from previous plans (we've stayed with the company for about 8 years
> now and learned to trust them very highly). We just "knew" the price
> would stay the same through the contract, and they'd raise rates if
> they needed to only after the contract period expired. They've been
> outstanding in that regard over the years. Plus their rates have
> always been the best available.
>
> Enter AllTel. Our rates are far below anything AllTel has on their
> web site for similar plans, and other provisions are much better too.
> But the contract AllTel now owns for the next year and a half, gives
> them the ~right~ to raise the rates during the contract period, if
> they so choose. And on top of that, the stong rumor is that they'll
> give us all new phones and convert us to an "equivalent" CDMA plan
> (which would seem plausible since they don't do GSM). That would mean
> either much higher prices, or *very* substantially reduced minutes and
> other features, if we're stuck with AllTel's current rate plans.
>
> Has anyone had experience with an AllTel takeover of their provider?
> I'd appreciate experiences particularly with how they handled
> rates/plans that were substantially better then what they offer to
> their own current customers, and whether they moved quickly to switch
> from GSM to CDMA or allowed the contracts to expire before phasing out
> their newly acquired GSM equipment.
>
> (Our provider has been selling GSM contracts like crazy since
> Thanksgiving, and interestingly they're STILL selling GSM even though
> AllTel now fully owns the company - just hasn't changed the signs yet.
> They're even still running special inducements to bring in more GSM
> business. Go figure.... Personally, I'm suspicious, since AllTel
> could have stopped that on 1 March with ease.)
>
> We don't have a clue what AllTel will do in terms of enforcing the
> contracts and/or higher rates (legal under the contract) and even
> different technology. And with the 2 year agreement, we've got a $200
> non-prorated early termination penalty that could force us into some
> expensive decision making (we'd never have signed that contract had we
> known they'd be bought by AllTel just 5 months after we signed it).
>
> In short, we just don't know what to expect, and I don't trust AllTel
> until they show by experience they can be trusted. From some
> indications so far (plus their own web site), I'm not optimistic.
>
> Experiences? Good? Bad? Ugly?!? {great I hope???}
>
> Thanks.
>
> CR
Ugly...so far. We signed a two-year deal with ATT wireless last
summer, in order to get the nights at 7pm deal. At that time, most of
my family was with Cingular, and the ATT buyout by Cingular promised to
be great for us, in that we'd have mobile-to-mobile with most of our
family. Then we find out early this year that Cingular is buying all
but a *few* select markets, (including mine), which will instead be
taken over by Alltel.
Now, we get to my predicament. Since we have established that my
family is on Cingular, I decided to contact them to see what my
options, if any, are. The good people at Cingular agreed with my
circumstances, and said I could transfer (port) my numbers to Cingular,
with NO penalty for ending my pact with ATT/Alltel. I proceed to the
nearest Cingular store to seal the deal. At said store, they look at
me incredulously, and inform me that if I do such a thing, it will cost
me $700 ($175 per line) to end the earlier contract. So I tell them to
call the lady at Cingular, and talk to her about it. Guess who isn't
returning her calls?
Now, since I can't get a Cingular rep to take my call, I decide to deal
with Alltel. Guess who isn't the least bit sympathetic? Guess who is
so smug, she doesn't even act like she cares about my situation? Guess
who won't even give me her name/I.D., so I can note with whom I spoke
with? The answer is the same, with all three questions. I haven't
given up yet, but I can tell when I'm licked.
--
steverino
| |
| p.asa@gekapi.com 2005-05-23, 6:55 am |
|
steverino.1p60tp@news.cellbanter.com wrote:
quote:
> keyes04@netscape.net Wrote:
> Ugly...so far. We signed a two-year deal with ATT wireless last
> summer, in order to get the nights at 7pm deal. At that time, most of
> my family was with Cingular, and the ATT buyout by Cingular promised to
> be great for us, in that we'd have mobile-to-mobile with most of our
> family. Then we find out early this year that Cingular is buying all
> but a *few* select markets, (including mine), which will instead be
> taken over by Alltel.
> Now, we get to my predicament. Since we have established that my
> family is on Cingular, I decided to contact them to see what my
> options, if any, are. The good people at Cingular agreed with my
> circumstances, and said I could transfer (port) my numbers to Cingular,
> with NO penalty for ending my pact with ATT/Alltel. I proceed to the
> nearest Cingular store to seal the deal. At said store, they look at
> me incredulously, and inform me that if I do such a thing, it will cost
> me $700 ($175 per line) to end the earlier contract. So I tell them to
> call the lady at Cingular, and talk to her about it. Guess who isn't
> returning her calls?
> Now, since I can't get a Cingular rep to take my call, I decide to deal
> with Alltel. Guess who isn't the least bit sympathetic? Guess who is
> so smug, she doesn't even act like she cares about my situation? Guess
> who won't even give me her name/I.D., so I can note with whom I spoke
> with? The answer is the same, with all three questions. I haven't
> given up yet, but I can tell when I'm licked.
> --
> steverino
Thank you
p.asa@gekapi.com
| |
| John S. 2005-06-07, 4:55 pm |
|
<keyes04@netscape.net> wrote in message
news:2kaj51hsas4puqm
j3utems5bah67p22a5g@
4ax.com...
quote:
> I just learned a couple of days ago from a PSC Wireless (officially
> owned but not yet "branded" by AllTel) representative, that 15 July 05
> is the target date to finish turning off PSC's GSM network and have
> everyone converted over to CDMA.
If the buyout is just happening this is an impossible date unless Alltel is
already a player in the market and has a CDMA system in place. The time
frame is too short to order, manufacturer, install, test and change out
equipment.
Look to me like you might be worrying about something that won't happen. A
complete conversion might take up to 2 years depending on the number of
sites involved. Also, it is easy to share technologies for a period although
I am sure that Alltel wants to get to it's CDMA as soon as possible.
| |
| keyes04@netscape.net 2005-06-14, 6:55 am |
| No, the deal was sealed 1 February, if I recall correctly. They
originally said they'd start converting us over in June, but they've
moved that back to 15 July and are sticking to it. We keep getting
bits and pieces from their people, who also seem not to have gotten
much training yet. But what we're hearing now is that there may be a
"service charge" for new phones for anyone who purchased contracts
after sometime in March ('05). Note that they CONTINUE to sell GSM
contracts almost identical to the very low rates available before
Christmas, under the PSC name (no sign changes yet, but we've all
gotten our "welcome" letters from AllTel, and that's now who's billing
us). They claim it'll just be a simple change over to new phones for
the people who don't know what's going on and are falling for the nice
$50 GSM contracts with all sorts of good features (very similar to the
deals we got late last year). It all just seems very strange and
counter-productive to me, but maybe there's a method in their madness.
Somehow I'm skeptical about it being in anyone's best interests except
AllTel (and the sell-outs at PSC).
The one thing that all the reps are "certain" of seems to be that GSM
gets turned off pretty soon after 15 July - that's what AllTel is
telling them, and instructing them to say. So I guess AllTel's going
to be doing some leasing from other companies for the time being. I
don't know why they're so dead set on getting rid of the GSM service
PSC put in place, but it's happening. Guess we'll see what they
announce in about a month.
CR
On Tue, 07 Jun 2005 14:46:55 GMT, "John S."
<john@mocha-n-micro-chips.com> wrote:
quote:
>
><keyes04@netscape.net> wrote in message
> news:2kaj51hsas4puqm
j3utems5bah67p22a5g@
4ax.com...
>
>
>If the buyout is just happening this is an impossible date unless Alltel is
>already a player in the market and has a CDMA system in place. The time
>frame is too short to order, manufacturer, install, test and change out
>equipment.
>
>Look to me like you might be worrying about something that won't happen. A
>complete conversion might take up to 2 years depending on the number of
>sites involved. Also, it is easy to share technologies for a period although
>I am sure that Alltel wants to get to it's CDMA as soon as possible.
>
| |
|
|
keyes04@netscape.net Wrote:
> No, the deal was sealed 1 February, if I recall correctly. They
> originally said they'd start converting us over in June, but they've
> moved that back to 15 July and are sticking to it. We keep getting
> bits and pieces from their people, who also seem not to have gotten
> much training yet. But what we're hearing now is that there may be a
> "service charge" for new phones for anyone who purchased contracts
> after sometime in March ('05). Note that they CONTINUE to sell GSM
> contracts almost identical to the very low rates available before
> Christmas, under the PSC name (no sign changes yet, but we've all
> gotten our "welcome" letters from AllTel, and that's now who's billing
> us). They claim it'll just be a simple change over to new phones for
> the people who don't know what's going on and are falling for the nice
> $50 GSM contracts with all sorts of good features (very similar to the
> deals we got late last year). It all just seems very strange and
> counter-productive to me, but maybe there's a method in their madness.
> Somehow I'm skeptical about it being in anyone's best interests except
> AllTel (and the sell-outs at PSC).
>
> The one thing that all the reps are "certain" of seems to be that GSM
> gets turned off pretty soon after 15 July - that's what AllTel is
> telling them, and instructing them to say. So I guess AllTel's going
> to be doing some leasing from other companies for the time being. I
> don't know why they're so dead set on getting rid of the GSM service
> PSC put in place, but it's happening. Guess we'll see what they
> announce in about a month.
>
> CR
>
> On Tue, 07 Jun 2005 14:46:55 GMT, "John S."
> john@mocha-n-micro-chips.com wrote:
> -
>
> keyes04@netscape.net wrote in message
> news:2kaj51hsas4puqm
j3utems5bah67p22a5g@
4ax.com...
> -
> I just learned a couple of days ago from a PSC Wireless (officially
> owned but not yet "branded" by AllTel) representative, that 15 July
> 05
> is the target date to finish turning off PSC's GSM network and have
> everyone converted over to CDMA.-
>
> If the buyout is just happening this is an impossible date unless
> Alltel is
> already a player in the market and has a CDMA system in place. The
> time
> frame is too short to order, manufacturer, install, test and change
> out
> equipment.
>
> Look to me like you might be worrying about something that won't
> happen. A
> complete conversion might take up to 2 years depending on the number
> of
> sites involved. Also, it is easy to share technologies for a period
> although
> I am sure that Alltel wants to get to it's CDMA as soon as possible.
> -
Let me cut to the chase. Alltel plans to let the customers in your
market retain the plans that they have at this time. If you choose to
make changes to it in the future because the plan is no longer working
out for you then you will have to aquire a CDMA telephone and you can
choose from the available plan options. If you read any contract for
any cell phone company anywhere it clearly says that the company
reserves the right to change the plan at anytime. It is a legal
disclaimer. It is not specific to you. The fact is that the cellular
industry changes every single day in dramatic ways that you can't begin
to imagine and we are being heavily regulated by the federal government
in everything that we do. We do our best to meet our customer's needs
and maintain the business. We can't please everyone all the time.
--
IMNRM
| |
| keyes04@netscape.net 2005-08-05, 2:48 am |
| On Thu, 4 Aug 2005 04:17:37 +0000, IMNRM
<IMNRM.1t8bll@news.cellbanter.com> wrote:
>Let me cut to the chase. Alltel plans to let the customers in your
>market retain the plans that they have at this time.
Simply not true. Alltel will shut off the GSM service by December,
thereby forcing a change by all existing PSC GSM customers - like it
or not.
>If you choose to
>make changes to it in the future because the plan is no longer working
>out for you then you will have to aquire a CDMA telephone and you can
>choose from the available plan options.
There is no "choose" option when a service is cut off by the company.
By definition that IS a "plan [that] is no longer working out for" the
customer - by company choice.
> If you read any contract for
>any cell phone company anywhere it clearly says that the company
>reserves the right to change the plan at anytime.
Yup. And some companies play decently with their customers, and some
don't. That was why I stayed with PSC for nearly a decade - best
policies and customer service I've seen in a long time, particularly
in the cell phone business. I began my first full day with our new
carrier today (NOT Alltel).
> We can't please everyone all the time.
That's sure an easy statement to roll off one's tongue. And equally
easy is the response: In Alltel's case, they certainly didn't even
come close to trying very hard. But if they don't care to retain
customers, that's also a choice.
Despite the terribly inadequate training obviously provided to their
employees, causing (and allowing) very bad information to be given out
to customers, I do have to give the company credit for finally
allowing termination of service without a penalty in this case, where
there otherwise would have been a roughly 40% increase in cost per
month! Ironically, had they trained their employees from the start on
what to say, what NOT to say, and what the policy would be, they would
not have created considerable ill will among a number of customers,
and may well have retained their business.
So let me cut to the chase as well: we have choices, too, and we
exercise them.
C.R.
| |
| steverino 2005-08-08, 11:48 pm |
|
>
>
> Despite the terribly inadequate training obviously provided to their
> employees, causing (and allowing) very bad information to be given out
> to customers, I do have to give the company credit for finally
> allowing termination of service without a penalty in this case, where
> there otherwise would have been a roughly 40% increase in cost per
> month!
>
Kudos for Alltel finally allowing people to end their contracts without
penalty. I was given three different explanations as to what my options
would be at changeover time, in addition to two different explanation by
Cingular. Clearly, no one knew how this was going to go. It's a shame
they didn't have their sh1t together from the jump. We made the switch
to Cingular this week, at a cost of $200 (equipment), plus $18
activation per line. With this, we have at least 12 friends and family
we get M2M with.
--
steverino
|
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