SOUTHFIELD, Mich.—Verizon Wireless, the wireless company with the highest customer 

loyalty, announced today that its integration of Alltel’s billing system and retail operations is 

progressing as planned and that Alltel customers, who have already begun benefitting from 

changes implemented since the January merger, will soon see additional results of the 

integration. 

 “Our goal is to offer all Verizon Wireless customers the best possible customer 

experience on the nation’s largest and most reliable wireless network,” said Greg Haller, 

president–Michigan/Indiana/Kentucky Region, Verizon Wireless. “That means transitioning 

Alltel customers to Verizon Wireless handsets and pricing plans as soon as they are eligible to 

upgrade their handsets—so they can enjoy the benefits of our 3G broadband wireless network, 

advanced device portfolio and industry-leading data services.” 

Alltel customers can keep their existing service plans and their phones even after the 

integration is complete. In fact, Alltel customers are already experiencing some of the benefits 

of joining with Verizon Wireless. For example, since the merger was announced in mid- 

January, Alltel customers have been added to the Verizon Wireless Mobile to Mobile Calling 

family and may now call any of the company’s more than 80 million customers without using 

their plan minutes. 

Beginning June 1, the following Alltel-branded stores in Michigan will begin featuring 

Verizon Wireless merchandising and handsets.  

With this change, eligible area customers who want to transition to Verizon Wireless now will be able to activate new handsets and pricing plans at these stores. Other Alltel customers who do not wish to transition at this time 

to Verizon Wireless will continue to receive sales and service support on their existing accounts. 

Additionally, Verizon Wireless customers can now be served at these new locations. 

“This dual point-of-sale operation gives Verizon Wireless additional stores in Michigan,” Haller said, 

“and will help us ease the transition of existing Alltel customers to Verizon Wireless ahead of

 our brand and billing conversion.” 

As announced in January, the company is continuing to use the Alltel brand until it completes the branding 

and billing system integration. This work is well under way and is projected to be completed in the fourth quarter. 

In the meantime, Alltel customers who have questions about how the merger may affect them, can visit 

www.alltel.com to find answers to many questions including the most frequently asked, some of which are also listed below: 

Will Alltel customers’ wireless devices still work once the company is fully integrated 

with Verizon Wireless? Most Alltel customers’ wireless devices will work on the Verizon 

Wireless network after conversion.   

Based on our wireless device testing, fewer than 1 percent of Alltel customers may need to 

replace their wireless devices for use on the Verizon Wireless network after the conversion.  

These are older devices that do not contain the chipset required to receive over-the-air 

software changes to enable them to work on the Verizon Wireless network. Also, customers 

who want to take advantage of Verizon Wireless data services (such as VZ Navigator, V 

CAST and others) as well as those who choose to migrate early to Verizon Wireless will need 

to purchase a Verizon Wireless device.  

If an Alltel customer’s current device cannot receive over-the-air software changes, does 

the customer have to pay for a new device? If a device cannot receive over-the air software 

changes to enable it to work on the Verizon Wireless network after conversion, the phone will 

be replaced with a like device at no cost to the customer, or the customer will receive a credit 

toward the purchase of a higher-priced device. 

Once the companies are fully integrated, can an Alltel customer continue to benefit 

from Alltel’s My Circle? My Circle will continue to be available to Alltel customers while 

they are on Alltel price plans.  

Also, if an Alltel customer changes to a Verizon Wireless device and a qualifying price 

plan, he/she can benefit from the company’s Friends & Family feature at no additional cost. 

The customer can choose up to five or 10 Friends & Family numbers (including friends on 

other networks, office numbers or home numbers) and enjoy unlimited calling with them— 

anywhere within Verizon Wireless’ Nationwide Coverage Area.   

Do Alltel customers in contract who choose to port their numbers to Verizon Wireless 

before the integration have to pay an early termination fee (ETF)? Eligible Alltel 

customers within four months of their contract end dates will not have to pay an ETF.   

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