Merger : Is Verizon Buying Alltel for $27 Billion?

Verizon is "deep in talks" to buy Alltel for $27 Billion, according to CNBC. VZW has courted the nation's number five cellular carrier before, but didn't bid when Alltel was on the auction block back in Spring of 2007. Word is that VZW thought Alltel's valuation was too high at the time. Now it seems that with the change in credit markets over the past year, Verizon could snatch Alltel up for right around the $27.5B TPG and Goldman Sachs paid for the carrier in a deal that closed in November of last year.

The acquisition would make sense for Verizon not only because it would vault VZW to the #1 carrier position in the US, but also because both Alltel and Verizon use the CDMA nework protocol. Acquiring Alltel would essentially extend VZW's cellular coverage and free them from having to pay roaming fees when their customers venture out of VZW coverage into Alltel-only territory. Verizon would of course also lay claim to Alltel's 13.2 million subscribers, given them a total head count over 80 million - enough to surpass AT&T's 71.4 million for first place on the U.S. cellular subscriber leaderboard.

All about

Comments
Videos
Articles
Discussions

kc roll

Sunday, July 06, 2008i hope so....i hav verizon, and i realllly dont like many of the verizon phones..BUT I LOV ALLTEL'S PHONES!!! i hope they buy alltel..ASAP!

Marcos Nunez

Thursday, June 05, 2008I agree with J L; I want the LG Glimmer. They are merging as we speak. Verizon is a much better network than ATT and now they will have more subscribers than them.

J L

Thursday, June 05, 2008ya does it mean that verizon would offer the alltel phones cause I really like that LG glimmer.

Marcos Nunez

Wednesday, June 04, 2008I really hope this happens! Would this mean that Verizon would get all the Alltel phones as well?! If so, MAKE IT HAPPEN VERIZON!

Don't forget to submit your entry for the "PhoneDog Days of Summer" Giveaway!
Win one of over 30 of the hottest new cell phones - no registration, no spam! Just PhoneDog sharing some goodies with our visitors & loyal fans! Thanks and keep the comments coming!

Video: PhoneDog Mailbag 9/4/08: Glyde, iPhone 3G, Voyager Titanium

Installment #1 of the PhoneDog Mailbag. Noah answers your questions on Samsung Glyde, Apple iPhone 3G, LG Voyager Titanium, and new T-Mobile phones.

Video: LG Voyager Titanium (VZW) Unboxing and Review

Noah gets all over the new Voyager Titanium for Verizon. It's like the old Voyager, but in Titanium (not black), and with Visual Voicemail and Rhapsody support.

Tips & tricks video: Change your boring Verizon ringtones

Well i'm a Verizon Wireless person.. and i was always bored of the standard ringtones the phone comes with. I seemed to always buy second hand used phones from craig's list, so i didn't have those cables to hook up to the computer and sync things into. I wasn't allowed to buy ringtones either when i did get a new lg venus because then my parents will go ballistic on me, so i found a way to get it free. All you need...

Video: iPhone 3g v HTC Touch Diamond v Samsung Omnia

Three of the heaviest heavyweights take center stage in part one of this PhoneDog Dogfight. In this corner - the iconic iPhone 3G. In that corner - the "Windows Mobile with a cherry on top" HTC Touch Diamond. And in, uh, that corner - the super-spec'd Samsung Omnia. Whose cuisine will reign supreme?

Video: Verizon Showdown: Voyager vs Glyde vs EnV2 Part 2

By popular demand, three of Verizon's VCAST messaging phones go head to head. Noah takes a look at the LG Voyager, Samsung Glyde, and LG EnV2. Part two focuses on features and functionality. And Dan Patrick, check your email, man. I've got an offer for you.

Video: Verizon Showdown: Voyager vs Glyde vs EnV2 Part 1

By popular demand, three of Verizon's VCAST messaging phones go head to head. Noah takes a look at the LG Voyager, Samsung Glyde, and LG EnV2. Part one focuses on form factor. And Dan Patrick, check your email, man. Noah's got an offer for you.

Coming to Verizon: What is the LG VX9600?

The Friday before CTIA and a few bits and pieces of phone news are coming in ... that's a good sign.Earlier today I traded Emails with one of my contacts at LG to make sure that we sync up at CTIA Wireless next week in San Francisco. She mentioned that LG will be launching a few new phones, and a new "product" backed by some kind of clever celebrity endorsement. The celebrity won't be at CTIA, she said, but it'll make sense when you...

Latest Carrier Releases: Motorola Q9 Global - Slate Grey

The MOTO Q Global is a high performance Windows Mobile 6.1 smart phone offering a full integrated QWERTY keyboard, 3.6 Mbps HSDPA, 325 MHz applications processor, 128MB RAM and aGPS, among many additional features and capabilities. With Windows Mobile 6.1, the MOTO Q Global supports Microsoft System Center Mobile Device Manager which provides single-point access to line of business and corporate data such as applications, files and other...

Latest Carrier Releases: Samsung Knack

The Samsung Knack is a basic CDMA flip phone from Verizon Wireless. Key features include voice dialing, speaker phone, GPS/911 locator, hearing aid compatible, multi language and vibrate alert. Carrier: Verixon WirelessContract Price: $39.99Hot Feature: Simple stylish flip

Noah Answers Your Questions - Can the iPhone 3G stay "new and fun"?

Q. Hey Noah, love the site. Now if I got the Apple iPhone 3G, my Question is will it stay new and fun and not seem outdated after 2 years. I tend to get bored of phones after a little over a year. Thank you for your time. Keep up the good work on PhoneDog! A. I think iPhone will stay new and fun because of the App Store - there are new programs available for it every day, and since many of them are free, it's an easy way to make...

Hands-On: LG Voyager Titanium

Verizon sent me their new LG Voyager Titanium late last week and I played with it throughout the holiday weekend. Voyager Titanium is a sharp-looking phone and it basically works like the original, save the additions of Visual Voicemail and the Rhapsody music service. Visual Voicemail works pretty well on first blush, though you'll be paying a few bucks more on your VZW bill each month to use it. Upgrades aside, my feelings...

AT&T offers GoPhones to hurricane Gustav evacuees plus handy safety tips

AT&T announced yesterday they were making at least 2,000 GoPhone devices with $15 of air time available to residents who were ordered to evacuate due to hurricane Gustav. Evacuees* can find devices at all AT&T owned and operated locations in Houston and San Antonio. The devices will be available at these AT&T retail locations on a first-come, first-service basis. The phones are expected to be available...

um...

If you are looking for a smart phone, i would personally go with a Blackberry device such as the Blackberry Curve, or the Blackberry 8830 World Addition (if you travel out of the country a lot). If you are personally not going to use the functions of a smart phone, I would go with the Dare.But if you can wait... i suggest getting the Blackberry Thunder which will be coming out by the end of the year for Verizon. This phone will be an...

Upcomming Moto device for alltel

I heard there was a new device coming to Alltel from moto. Can anyone validate that?

Re: Can Verizon and Voice Recorder mix?

Hey Brian Most of the models have a voice memo function, but I'm not sure which one offers a true voice recorder. Your best bet is probably to visit your local Verizon store and test out a few models. I'm sure the higher end models like the HTC5800

Can Verizon and Voice Recorder mix?

We are nearing the end of our contract with Sprint. It would simplify things (calling friends and relatives) if we could switch to Verizon. But I carry around and use a digital voice recorder, and was hoping that with a new phone I could get a built-in voice recorder. My current phone has "voice memo" which borders on completely useless. I'm hoping for the ability to record and play back time-stamped recordings limited...

Re: Whats the best phone for Verizon???

Yup it works with Verizon :) http://www.phonedog.com/cell-phone-shopping/verizon-wireless/htc-smt5800.aspx

Re: Whats the best phone for Verizon???

does this phone work on verizons network? Saw something online from someone saying it was for quests network

Re: Whats the best phone for Verizon???

I would go with the HTC SMT5800 smartphone - it has a lot more features and doesn't use Verizon's crappy UI. Have you tried using the Voyager? I played with the phone for about two seconds before losing interest. The phone is jsut a glorified music player. I think you are able to try the phones out for like 15 days or so before committing to a model. [H]

Whats the best phone for Verizon???

I am looking at getting a voyager for my new phone with verizon, my friend however just got a htc so I feel like the voyager is lacking. Is there any phone out there that can compete with his features or atleast get me close? I know that verizons network limits me so if the voyager is as good as it gets then so be it. Any advice would greatly be appreciated, however please dont tell me to get a blackberry as I dont like their...

Re: Treo 755p coming to Verizon

No chance - they would need a friggen miracle

Re: Any phones that work with Cingular(ATT) and Verizon

CDMA stands for Code division multiple access - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CDMA GSM stands for Global System for Mobile communications - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GSM There are some phones that will work on both systems - they are called "World Phones", They have a seperate slot for a SIM card to allow it to roam on the GSM network. Here is an example of a world phone from Motorola...

More discussions

Mailbag Video 9/4/08Installment #1 of the PhoneDog Mailbag. Noah answers your questions on Samsung Glyde, Apple iPhone
LG Voyager Titanium (VZW)Noah gets all over the new Voyager Titanium for Verizon. It's like the old Voyager, but in Titanium
iPhone v Diamond v Omnia 3It's the third and final part of the battle of the beasts. This episode focuses on messaging and
iPhone Diamond Omnia Part 2Three of the heaviest heavyweights take center stage in part two of this PhoneDog Dogfight. In this
A special moment with NoahWelcome to the PhoneDog Family, Ryan! And no, Noah didn't get fired! :-D
Nvidia Tegra VideoNoah takes us to Nvision 2008 in San Jose to get an up-close look at Nvidia's Tegra system on a
iPhone v Touch Diamond v OmniaThree of the heaviest heavyweights take center stage in part one of this PhoneDog Dogfight. In this
Sony Ericsson w350 VideoNoah goes in the box and hands-on with SE's new low-end Walkman phone, the w350. But can he leave
LG Dare Review - New editorAnother LG Dare video review from Ryan RC Rae.
PhoneDog YouTube ChannelThe time has come - the bald head cannot be contained in a single channel. Introducing the PhoneDog