March 25, 2005

Alltel has expanded the coverage of its Touch2Talk walkie-talkie service to operate throughout the United States. The carrier is introducing new rate plans to entice customers.

Alltel says its coast-to-coast coverage of voice and data services has now been extended to its Touch2Talk customer base.

The company is giving its customers on local calling plans -- Greater Freedom, Local Freedom and Free to Roam -- the chance to add 100 one-to-one call minutes and 50 group minutes for an additional $5 a month.

These customers can obtain unlimited one-to-one minutes and 100 group minutes to their existing plans for another $10 a month. Alltel is offering unlimited one-to-one minutes and 100 group minutes to its Total Freedom customers for an additional $15 a month.

In conjunction with the national launch, Alltel has unveiled two new PTT-enabled phones, one from Kyocera Wireless and one from LG Mobile. The Kyocera KX440 bar-style phone is selling for $49.99, with a signed 2-year service agreement. The clamshell-style LG AX4750 is available for $99.99, with a 2-year agreement.

Alltel entered the PTT fray in January 2004. The Touch2Talk service is powered by Kodiak Networks' Real-Time Exchange (RTX) System, which is an all-IP based packet-switched solution that uses the existing voice channel.

Touch2Talk features a 'Buddy Alert' that will notify users when a contact is waiting to chat. To accept a call after notification, users need to press and hold the Touch2Talk button.

PTT is not the only way Alltel is working to expand. In January, Alltel announced plans to purchase Western Wireless for $4.3 billion in cash, plus the assumption of about $1.5 billion in debt. In total, the deal is valued at $6 billion.

Source: Wireless Week