We May Not Know Who is Buying Alltel in Montana By May 9

In an earlier post, I mentioned that Verizon Wireless has until May 9 to sell off the Alltel network, spectrum, stores and customers in Montana. Based on an article in Fierce Wireless, it looks like we may have to wait a while longer to find out who is buying the Alltel assets in Montana, as Verizon Wireless has filed for an extension with the FCC. They are requesting a new deadline of July 8.

"The sheer size and complexity of the divestitures coupled with the current economic conditions" were listed as reasons for the requested delay. Verizon has apparently been working with over 70 prospective bidders.

In my completely unqualified opinion, this requested delay would seem to indicate that Verizon Wireless is leaning towards selling the former Alltel markets to multiple, smaller buyers, rather than selling large chunks to any one buyer. What do you think?

In the meantime, Alltel continues to be operated by a trust, independent of Verizon Wireless.

BlackBerry App World Available for Download Now

RIM has launched the BlackBerry App World^TM storefront with games, social networking, personal productivity applications and much more. If you already have a BlackBerry, download BlackBerry App World now! If you don't yet have a BlackBerry, buy one from Cellular One today.

Alltel Dealer Defects to Cellular One

Is Alltel starting to crumble in Montana? This week, Mumm's the Word Wireless at 1207 S. Higgins in Missoula, MT switched allegiances and is now a Cellular One dealer. They've switched out their signs and are painting their blue walls red.

Grab and Go with One Pak from Cellular One

Cellular One has made it easy to get set up with a wireless phone and service with the introduction of One Pak. With One Pak you can get out the door for $99 with no contracts, deposits or credit checks. Included in the price of the One Pak is a phone, SIM card, one month of service and activation fee. The monthly service is $29.99/mo. and includes 500 minutes and 500 outbound text messages per month. Incoming text messages are free.

Cellular One Announces 35th New Cell Site in Montana

Earlier this week Cellular One announced another new cell site in rural Montana. This new site is on Highway 83 just south of Condon and 24 miles north of Seeley Lake. This is the 35th new site Cellular One has turned on within the state of Montana since 2007.

The Condon coverage was made possible by the High Cost Program of the Universal Service Fund. This is a federal program that ensures that consumers in all regions of the nation have access to and pay rates for telecommunications services that are reasonably comparable to those services provided and rates paid in urban areas.

Cellular One Now Has the Motorola MOTO™ U9

The latest incarnation of the Motorola PEBL, the U9, has hit the shelves at Cellular One. Although this phone has the same river rock shape and feel, it is leaps and bounds above the PEBL. Motorola got rid of the crazy but impressive slide hinge and self-opening mechanism, but added some other whiz-bang features. The biggest wow factor is probably the exterior display and touch-sensitive surface for controlling the music player. I can't do it justice here. If you haven't seen it, you have to stop in to your nearest Cellular One store and check it out.

Features:

• Store up to 1,000 songs with the optional 4 GB microSD memory card.
• Easy to download, sync and manage your music on a PC with Microsoft® Windows Media® Player.
• MP3 music player with dedicated touch sensor buttons.
• Choose from a variety of floating animated external screen savers.
• Integrated stereo Bluetooth® wireless technology.
• CrystalTalk™ technology helps deliver crystal clear voice quality in noisy environments.
• Talking phone gives you a voice readout while dialing numbers or receiving a call.
• Fast downloads from your PC to your phone with USB 2.0⁷.
• 25 MB internal user memory.
• Touch sensitive music keys appear on the front flip when in music mode.
• Combination of metallic gloss finish and soft feel for a visual and tactile rich experience.
• Small, curvaceous, seamless form, designed to be thin and lightweight.
• 2 mega-pixel camera with digital zoom captures high quality pictures.
• User interface with new main menu, offering grid, list and new spinner view.

Get a Phone That No One Has

It had a bit of a false-start in the U.S., but Nokia has re-launched the touch screen 5800 XpressMusic and they are now taking orders on their website. No U.S. carriers have picked up the phone, so you'll be paying the full, unsubsidized price of $399, but on the upside, you are not likely to run into anyone else in Montana that has the same phone.

Once Nokia ships you your unlocked 5800, bring it into Cellular One and they will get you hooked up with a SIM card and the service to run your fancy new device. As a bonus for buying your own phone, you get to go month-to-month (no long term contract), but keep in mind that Cellular One Customer Service will not be able to provide support for this or any other phone that they do not sell.

What about the phone, you ask? The Nokia 5800 XpressMusic offers all the music essentials including a graphic equalizer, 8GB memory for up to 6000 tracks and support for all main digital music formats, and a 3.5mm jack. Built-in surround sound stereo speakers offer a powerful sound.

In addition to a charger, the 5800 comes with a music headset, a connectivity cable, a stand, a wrist strap, an 8 GB microSDHC card, a video out cable, a $50 Amazon Video on Demand voucher, and one month of Nokia Maps.

If you end up buying one of these, please let us know what you think of it by leaving us a comment below.