The Forgotten Ones (divested market customers)

[SolidOrange]

i'm just trying to gauge how many people are having the same kinds of problems with the divested market transitions that i am, so i thought i'd start a poll.

i was informed on July 1 that i am in a divested market that will eventually be transferred to atlantic tele-network sometime near the end of the year. all neighboring markets made the VZW switch on July 13th. that is when my problems started, i have been dropping calls a lot more frequently than before and losing EVDO reception altogether, especially while roaming. when i try to call alltel they put me in contact with VZW reps, all the alltel stores in my area have either closed or changed over to VZW stores, and all of the VZW stores are only interested in selling me a contract on their network rather than addressing the problems!

it seems like the divested market customers are little more than unwanted step-children to the new "alltel". i don't even know who to contact for help anymore.

[R.O.C.]

While I am not in a divested market, I can only imagine what it would be like.
As you said, the divested markets were pretty much the result of Verizon cutting the fat off of their expanding service.
The divested markets operate seperately from Verizon and Alltel, meaning you no longer are going to get any sort of assistance from retained Alltel employees. (you may have experienced a situation where you called customer support and were pushed off onto another person, who likely didn't know much of anything).
As for the service being worse, my best guess would be that tower's that the retained Alltel has contracts with, your "new Alltel" doesn't. Meaning worse service.
My personal recommendation would be that you should switch over to Verizon as soon as possible.

[tsguy52]

Originally Posted by R.O.C.

While I am not in a divested market, I can only imagine what it would be like.
As you said, the divested markets were pretty much the result of Verizon cutting the fat off of their expanding service.
The divested markets operate seperately from Verizon and Alltel, meaning you no longer are going to get any sort of assistance from retained Alltel employees. (you may have experienced a situation where you called customer support and were pushed off onto another person, who likely didn't know much of anything).
As for the service being worse, my best guess would be that tower's that the retained Alltel has contracts with, your "new Alltel" doesn't. Meaning worse service.
My personal recommendation would be that you should switch over to Verizon as soon as possible.

FCC regulations prevent divested customers porting over to Verizon.. it would not be fair for the company that just bought those customers.

[R.O.C.]

Yeah... You'll lose your number

[MrShawn]

I have switch over to Verizon and have had several more problems, I have been with Alltel for 18 years, I think I might port over to Sprint, if this bull[b][/b][b][/b][b][/b][b][/b] continues

[whitcd]

Originally Posted by tsguy52

FCC regulations prevent divested customers porting over to Verizon.. it would not be fair for the company that just bought those customers.

But that does not stop people from ending their service with alltel and starting new service with Verizon. But would have to get a new number.

[SolidOrange]

interestingly enough, if i use the "keep your number" link on VZW's webpage, it does say that i am eligible.

Your number is eligible to port in to Verizon Wireless. It will take an estimated 4-24 hours to complete your port request after you submit your order. Subject to credit authorization,verification and inventory availability.

[fantic]

I agree with Solidorange. I'm in no man's land. Our area is just a few counties. ATN will be our fourth company since I first got a cell phone. We have a Alltel store but still don't know anything. I have three months left on my personal phones. I guess I'll just ride it out. The problem is my business has 12 phones and the contracts come up at different times.

[oakindustries]

Originally Posted by tsguy52

FCC regulations prevent divested customers porting over to Verizon.. it would not be fair for the company that just bought those customers.

My understanding from the literature and trainings I sat through said that divested customers should be able to port in but vzw employees are not allowed to suggest it in any way. If you walked in and asked for it with out any sort of encouragement then you should be able to port in. Most of this non-sense should be done in Nov when these Altell ports will be nothing more than upgrades. If you're a divested customer walk into a store and demand to switch over and make a scene lol. As a customer you have the right to go with whoever you wish or they should let you out of your contract because they cannot fulfill their end of it.

[SolidOrange]

Originally Posted by oakindustries

My understanding from the literature and trainings I sat through said that divested customers should be able to port in but vzw employees are not allowed to suggest it in any way. If you walked in and asked for it with out any sort of encouragement then you should be able to port in. Most of this non-sense should be done in Nov when these Altell ports will be nothing more than upgrades. If you're a divested customer walk into a store and demand to switch over and make a scene lol. As a customer you have the right to go with whoever you wish or they should let you out of your contract because they cannot fulfill their end of it.

i agree... the question is what store do i walk into? all of the alltel stores around me have closed or changed to VZW stores. these stores do not show me as a customer since i didn't get switched over, therefore all they want to do is try to sell me a new contract. they have no interest in helping me when i am not really affiliated with their network in any way.

[R.O.C.]

Verizon and Alltel employees are not supposed to enourage you one way or the other.
I'm not entirely sure about the porting...

[losino]

Up here in ND, nobody knows anything