With a Little Help...News and Information

South Dakota Alltel to AT&T transition gets closer

2010-04-06T09:42:00.004-05:00

I have been following this news for a long time. In November of 2008, I predicted that either Sprint or AT&T would end up with the Alltel assets in South Dakota. I also predicted this time-frame for network build-out.

I still see Sioux Falls being fully on the AT&T network by mid-summer 2010 with the I-90 and I-29 corridors completed by Thanksgiving 2010.

News from the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission is this:

I still see Sioux Falls being fully on the AT&T network by mid-summer 2010 with the I-90 and I-29 corridors completed by Thanksgiving 2010.

Will I need a different phone?
Not at first, but after 12-18 months you probably will.
Former Alltel customers will be able to use their existing handset for up to 12 months after the anticipated sale’s completion. These customers may sign up for any AT&T special promotions in effect during that time. By the end of the 12-month period, former Alltel customers will need to change to a device that is compatible with the new AT&T network.

What I read from the SD PUC statement is they expect to see a 6 month network build-out period after the Alltel to AT&T transaction has been finalized. Once the changeover is official, customers have 1 year to sign up for a AT&T cell phone.

It looks like South Dakota can put the Apple iPhone on their Christmas list. By Christmas 2010, you may also have a choice between AT&T and maybe Verizon for your iPhone service (maybe).

More Verizon Wireless iPhone Speculation

2010-04-05T21:16:00.004-05:00

I'm a Verizon Wireless user and I have always wanted an iPhone. There has been a lot of speculation about the VZW iPhone (or even a CDMA version of the iPhone) over the last few years. Now for the latest...

The Wall Street Journal (subscription may be required) reports 'One person familiar with the situation' told WSJ that a CDMA version of the Apple iPhone is in production. The CDMA iPhone is being produced by Pegatron Technology Corp, a subsidiarity of ASUSTek Computer Inc.

This is great news, but more speculation ...Apple extended the United States exclusivity of the iPhone with AT&T through the end of 2010. This exclusivity might have been tied to the data plan available to the new Apple iPad.

This leaves VZW users, like me, still in the dark for a little while longer. The other speculation notes would be that this CDMA iPhone may also work for the Sprint network, and that would help them in their loosing cell phone battle.

Check current news about the VZW iphone here.

Disclosure: The author has a LONG Position in both Apple and Verizon.

Uniden Dect 6.0 Voicemail Reset

2010-03-29T08:09:00.003-05:00

In August 2009, I purchased a Uniden Dect 1500 Series expandable cordless phone. I used this phone at a remote location with my Trixbox PBX VOIP system. Now that I have been using the phone locally, one issue presents a problem a lot...the Voice Mail Indicator doesn't reset in a timely manner (sometimes not at all).

I have researched how to fix this before, but didn't find a good answer. Today I found a great answer that worked.

Problem: Uniden Dect 6.0 Voice mail Indicator (flashing light) will not stop after voice mail has been retrieved.

Solution: Press and hold the Page button on the base for 5-10 seconds (the instructions said 5 seconds, but it seemed to take longer). The handset will start beeping and then will have a long beep. After the long beep, the handset is reset and the voice mail indicator is extinguished.

"Signs" that Alltel-to-AT&T conversion is still a year away

2009-09-24T11:18:00.003-05:00

Recently I noticed a new sign posted at Alltel stores in Sioux Falls. The signs says "Now doing 1 year contracts."

I think this is a sign of how long it will take AT&T to get moving on the network conversion. I knew network conversion was going to be a long process. My original guess was 2 years until full network conversion. I still see Sioux Falls being fully on the AT&T network by mid-summer 2010 with the I-90 and I-29 corridors completed by Thanksgiving 2010. That is just an estimated guess. Note that AT&T might not actually turn on the new equipment until the entire network conversion is complete (or nearly complete) for the area. This is a "flip the switch" theory of tower conversion.

I heard (not from the most reliable source) that Alltel towers had GSM (AT&T, T-Mobile technology) on them already for roaming revenue. If this is true, it would just take a software update at each physical tower location to make the switch for AT&T official on the Interstate corridors...kind of. --explanation of kind of...Each site will need full antenna upgrades and new equipment to switch the main antenna system to GSM from CDMA (Alltel, Verizon, Sprint technology). The "backup" system used for roaming is not intended to handle as much traffic as the primary system.

Until the new AT&T system comes on line...keep dreaming about owning an iPhone.

AT&T Purchases Alltel in South Dakota

2009-05-11T13:52:00.001-05:00

Friday, AT&T announced they bought the Alltel properties that Verizon Wireless was required to divest under the agreement with the U.S. Government. This means AT&T will be coming to North and South Dakota.

I know there will be a burst of iPhone sales in the Sioux Falls area. I know many technology minded people will upgrading or making the switch. All current Alltel customers will need a new phone when the cut-over from CDMA to GSM takes place.

From AT&T's press release:

AT&T* today announced a definitive agreement to acquire wireless assets from Verizon Wireless for $2.35 billion in cash. Under terms of the agreement, AT&T will acquire wireless properties, including licenses, network assets and 1.5 million current subscribers in 79 service areas, primarily in rural areas across 18 states. Verizon Wireless is required to divest these properties as part of the regulatory approvals granted for its purchase of Alltel earlier this year. The states represented are: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia and Wyoming.

The FTC Official Free Annual Credit Report Video

2009-04-27T11:19:00.000-05:00

From the Federal Trade Commission:

Anyone can dance a jig, but only AnnualCreditReport.com provides you with a truly free credit report. It’s the only authorized source to get your free credit report under federal law.

Verizon Wireless Selling Home Cell Tower

2009-01-28T11:35:00.001-06:00

This press release was delivered to me email inbox. I think it was a great idea. I have lived where the cell phone reception was terrible, no matter which carrier you used (the towers for VZW and Alltel were right next to each other).

The details on the personal cell tower:
1X CDMA2000 service covering 5,000 sq ft.
Provides active service (phone calls) to 3 phones
Provides 1 special channel just for 911 calls (open to all Verizon phones)
The device costs $249.99 with no monthly reoccurring fee.

The device can be configured to Open Access (on by default) allowing any cell phone to access your portal or restricted allowing only the phone numbers you want to access it (up to 50 different phones). The device doesn't support any EVDO service or EVDO Location based services.

There is a GPS chip in the extender to allow Verizon Wireless to know where the extender is. This is for E911, but mostly so that the extender only works in Verizon's service area (not a Verizon rule, a licensing rule...aka FCC).

I thought about this news for a few days and then I discovered that AT&T is releasing a similar device. The problem for people like me, it can only be used in an AT&T native service area (again a FCC rule). I would consider the AT&T extender because it works only with 3G phone...ala Apple iPhone...since I would use my phone mostly at home or in Sioux Falls.

If there wasn't a territory rule for having these devices, I would have a mobile AT&T tower in my car so that I could have an iPhone. I have Redwood Wireless mobile Broadband (www.redwoodwireless.com) that covers Sioux Falls with 1 MB down speed with truly unlimited access.

There are femtocells on the market, each servicing a different service provider:

Sprint Airave - costs $100 (equipment) + $5/month for use.

Verizon Network Extender - $250 (equipment) - no monthly fee.

T-Mobile - requires a wifi enabled phone - ~$100* (equipment) + $10/month - *equipment may be optional

AT&T - coming soon - The cost and monthly charge is not known at this time.

KSFY may not be on your small town cable provider

2008-12-09T18:21:00.001-06:00

I recently started noticing the scrolls that Sioux Fall local ABC affiliate KSFY was putting out. I wanted to know what the hell was going on. I noticed a familiar name on the list and one that I trust. I finally found the information that I was looking for.

The scrolls are telling customers starting January 1st, 2009, KSFY will not be available on certain cable systems. Long Lines in IA and the SDN Communications provided digital cable service (providing under names such as Santel).

I think charging a large sum of money for over-the-air broadcasts is a load of crap and a poor move on KSFY's part, or at least on the Texas based owner's part. Some of the towns that will be left out because they will not pay their extortion fees are outside of the KSFY tower's footprint. Towns like Mt. Vernon and Woonsocket (Santel Headquarters) are totally outside of the 56 dBu footprint according to the FCC (FCC.gov source link)

Here is what Santel is telling their customers. (Santel source link)

KSFY TV Owners Strong Arm Santel Cable Customers to Pay for Signal That Was Free
Television viewers can’t miss the threat. KSFY television started running on-screen crawls December 5 saying rural South Dakota communities will lose their ABC affiliate programming if small-town cable companies and their rural customers don’t pay up.

Historically broadcast stations have offered their signals for free. That is until the Federal government pushed them to digital delivery by February 2009. In exchange for the digital investment, the Federal government now allows broadcasters to charge cable companies and their customers for delivery of the signal.

While most South Dakota stations have negotiated fairly, rural telephone companies that also offer cable television services say KSFY’s Texas ownership, Hoak Media Corporation, refuses to be reasonable.

“While KSFY has only a quarter of the viewers in the market, its parent company demands that customers pay more than all other area broadcasters combined,” says Ryan Thompson, General Manager of Santel Communications in Woonsocket. “And in Rapid City, the dominant, locally-owned television station isn’t charging anything for the signal delivery because they want to make sure their signal gets delivered to local viewers.”

Thompson says KSFY’s management claims the costs are pennies a day, but when he adds up the charge per cable subscriber the station’s owners are looking to charge South Dakotans in these rural markets a quarter of a million dollars to receive a signal they used to get for free.

“We’re not opposed to paying a fair price,” Thompson says. “We recognize KSFY has costs involved in the digital transition, but its demands are beyond reasonable, especially for South Dakota. They’re the highest in South Dakota and even higher than some national cable stations. Ultimately those costs get passed on to cable customers.”

Here’s what you can do to help! Call KSFY and tell them that you want them to negotiate a fair and reasonable price. Local cable customers can call the station at 1-800-955-KSFY (5739) or 605-336-1300 or email Kelly Manning at kmanning@ksfy.com.

Verizon Wireless -- Alltel Merger Approved

2008-11-05T09:32:00.001-06:00

I found out yesterday, just minutes after the FCC approved the merger of the two companies. I waited until today to make any comments, but no new information that I wanted is known yet.

Verizon Wireless will merge Alltel into their company. How this will affect my local market in the South Dakota area is still unknown. Under the deal, Verizon Wireless is forced to sell off the Alltel licenses in areas where Verizon now holds multiple licenses. This means South Dakota and North Dakota will see a new provider. It would be interesting to see AT&T come to our area, but my bet is on Sprint because they also use CDMA (the technology used by the local Alltel towers--AT&T uses GSM). The other possibility I have heard of is US Cellular, but I don't know the details of their company.

According to the WSJ:

To win over regulators, Verizon Wireless agreed to divest 105 markets in 22 midwestern, western and southern states where its network overlaps with Alltel's.

If Verizon Wireless's deal to acquire Alltel closes, as expected, Verizon Wireless will be the largest U.S. wireless carrier by subscribers.

The deadline for bids on those assets is Nov. 14, said people familiar with the matter. Potential bidders could include small wireless operators like U.S. Cellular and Centennial Wireless, as well as AT&T Inc. The Verizon assets could be worth between $3 billion and $4 billion, the people said.

VZW EVDO in South Dakota is Official

2008-05-07T09:34:00.001-05:00

I reported yesterday that EVDO appears to be here and today comes the official press release:

05/07/2008 Official Release
Verizon Wireless Launches First Phase Of Rollout Of Wireless Broadband Network In South Dakota

High-Speed Network Gives Verizon Wireless Customers Access to Fast Wireless Internet, E-mail, Mobile Music, Videos, and More

SIOUX FALLS, SD — Verizon Wireless announced today that it has expanded the national rollout of its high-speed wireless network to Sioux Falls. This rollout marks the first phase of the company’s planned expansion of its wireless network in South Dakota. Over the next two months the rollout will include further coverage around Sioux Falls, contiguous coverage along Interstate 90 to Rapid City and coverage north of I-90 to Pierre.

“Sioux Falls represents a vital market with dynamic, tech-savvy business people, residents and students who want to stay connected,” said Nancy B. Clark, president – Great Plains region, Verizon Wireless. “The launch of our broadband network here provides our customers with access to the very latest wireless technology.”

The Sioux Falls high-speed network overlays the company’s existing data network within Minnehaha and Lincoln counties and extends north of Sioux Falls along Interstate 29 to 246th Street, west along I-90 to Buffalo Ridge, east along I-90 to State Highway 11, and south along I-29 to County Road 140.

With the wireless broadband network, Verizon Wireless customers in the area now enjoy two prime services:

* BroadbandAccess, the enhanced high-speed wireless service that equips Verizon Wireless’ business customers with a truly untethered mobile office experience, enabling them to wirelessly access their calendars, the Internet, e-mail, and critical business information residing behind their companies’ firewalls; and
* V CAST, a consumer-oriented multimedia service that gives customers access to the most comprehensive selection of downloadable music, high-quality videos and the coolest 3D games found anywhere.

BroadbandAccess
Based on Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) Revision A (Rev. A) network technology, BroadbandAccess provides mobile workers with the ability to access their corporate information as if they were attached to this data via a high-speed wired connection but with the freedom of true mobility. Developed with a range of users in mind, the service enables large enterprises, small- to medium-sized businesses and mobile professionals to conduct business anytime, anywhere in the BroadbandAccess coverage area via a secure, true high-speed data connection.

With BroadbandAccess, business customers, residents and visitors to Sioux Falls can expect average download speeds of 600 kilobits per second (kbps) to 1.4 megabits per second and average upload speeds of 500-800 kbps. That means they can download a 1 Megabyte e-mail attachment – the equivalent of a small PowerPoint® presentation or a large PDF file – in about eight seconds and upload the same-sized file in less than 13 seconds.

BroadbandAccess also enables Verizon Wireless customers to download files significantly faster than customers of wireless service providers that use different broadly deployed network technologies. Furthermore, customers who travel outside the enhanced BroadbandAccess coverage area with an EV-DO device will switch seamlessly to the company’s NationalAccess service.

“Our enhanced BroadbandAccess service gives our customers three key advantages in wireless communication – speed, mobility and security,” Clark said. “With these advantages comes an increase in productivity and bottom-line business benefits.”

Verizon Wireless EVDO is running in Sioux Falls

2008-05-06T17:34:00.001-05:00

I reported earlier today that I noticed my EV indicator was on. After returning home I check the other cell phones I have, and their indicator is on too. So I put EVDO to a speed test at 5:30 and the results are 264K down/63K up.

Verizon Wireless South Dakota EVDO may be soon

2008-05-06T09:27:00.002-05:00

Lately I have noticed a flickering of the EV indicator on my phone. Up to this point I thought my phone was just seeing Alltel's EVDO network, until this morning.

This morning my phone was locked on the EVDO with "Verizon Wireless" on my display. I had a brief moment to try the Internet, but couldn't verify it was any faster. I was about 6 miles North of Sioux Falls at the time. Once I got to work, the EV indicator changed to 1X

This gives me hope that we will have EVDO in Sioux Falls very soon.

Current Network Status in Sioux Falls:
Alltel: EVDO
Sprint: 1X
Verizon: EVDO (Edit: It Official)

Verizon Wireless Boasts Improvements

2008-02-13T09:18:00.001-06:00

Verizon Wireless announced that they will continue to make improvements in 2008, but what those improvements are is missing. Verizon Wireless really needs to get EVDO up and running, especially in Sioux Falls. There are several options for mobile high speed Internet access throughout Sioux Falls, and Verizon Wireless is more like dial-up in that area.

Verizon Wireless Press Release

02/06/2008

SIOUX FALLS, SD — Verizon Wireless announced today it invested nearly $28.6 million in 2007 to enhance its network in South Dakota. The enhancements included building new – and upgrading existing – cell sites and increasing the network coverage area within the state.

“In 2008 we will continue to make improvements to our network in South Dakota,” said Nancy B. Clark, president – Great Plains region, Verizon Wireless. “Network reliability is the No. 1 reason that customers choose and stay with Verizon Wireless.”

Verizon Wireless has invested $174.1 million over the past seven years on improvements to its network in South Dakota, including the following upgrades made in 2007:

* Twenty-nine new cell sites were activated statewide to improve network coverage and capacity, enabling more customers to use their wireless phones concurrently to make calls; send and receive e-mail and text, picture and video messages, while enjoying clearer reception and fewer dropped calls.
* Equipment on 30 existing cell sites throughout the state was upgraded, which further improved network capacity.
* Nine permanent backup generators were installed at South Dakota cell sites to ensure network functionality during times of crisis. Now, 75 percent of cell sites in the state have permanent generators on-site.

These network improvements are part of Verizon Wireless’ continual effort to expand coverage, improve capacity and enhance the quality of its wireless voice and data network in South Dakota and throughout the country. Verizon Wireless has invested more than $44 billion since it was formed – more than $5.5 billion on average every year – to increase the coverage and capacity of its national network and to add new services.

Motorola Q Youtube

2008-01-23T11:48:00.000-06:00

I was looking for information about viewing YouTube on my Motorola Q and found good information with incorrect software links. Here is what I found with the correct files for install. I installed these, restarted my phone, and viewed my first YouTube video on the Moto Q successfully.

Steps:
1. Attain TCPMP 0.72.RC1 for SmartPhone
2. Install TCPMP into either Storage Card or Phone Memory. (Storage Card may be perferred.
3. Download and Install the FlashVideoBundle.1.2.CAB (Install to the same location (Storage Card / Phone Memory))
4. Soft-Reset the Device.
5. Open PocketIE

YouTube has also started re-directing mobile browsers to the mobile version of the website, if you would like to continue going to the regular website you need to go here:
http://www.youtube.com/?nomobile=1

Alltel Wireless expands EVDO to South Dakota

2008-01-18T10:10:00.000-06:00

EVDO coverage is now available in most of South Dakota. This puts Alltel ahead of Verizon in South Dakota in the area of EVDO coverage (Verizon has Zero EVDO in South Dakota as of Jan 18, 2008). South Dakota EVDO coverage map.

From Alltel Press Release:

January 10, 2008

PIERRE, S.D. - Continuing to expand its wireless data network for mobile professionals and consumers, Alltel Wireless has become the first carrier to launch broadband Wireless Internet service in South Dakota, providing coverage to Pierre, Sioux Falls, Rapid City and many other communities. Wireless Internet uses next generation EVDO (evolution data optimized) technology that provides customers with unlimited wireless access to the Internet at speeds comparable to wired broadband connections such as cable modem or DSL.

Alltel’s Wireless Internet service also is available in Aberdeen, Brookings, Huron, Mitchell, Yankton and Watertown in South Dakota. In North Dakota, the service is available in Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks and other communities.

With Wireless Internet, it is easy to surf the Web, access e-mail and calendars and download large, graphic-rich files while on the go. Using the service, customers can access advanced business, news and entertainment applications from their laptops, smartphones or handsets at average speeds of 400 to 700 Kbps with maximum speeds of up to 2.4 Mbps.

“Alltel Wireless is committed to meeting the growing data needs of our customers across South Dakota,” said Jay Ortman, vice president of business solutions for Alltel Wireless in South Dakota. “Wireless Internet service delivers an unmatched wireless broadband experience that will keep both traveling business professionals and casual users connected with the fastest and most reliable data services.”

Nationally, Alltel has one of the largest EVDO footprints of any U.S. carrier, covering cities such as Cleveland, Charlotte and Tampa, as well as many smaller communities. In addition to the extensive coverage provided by its own network, Alltel’s roaming agreements give its customers with data-card equipped laptops Wireless Internet access in all of the nation’s major metropolitan areas, including New York, Chicago and Los Angeles.

Wireless Internet is available for $59.99 a month for unlimited use and does not require a voice plan in order to qualify. In addition to supporting a wide range of productivity enhancing business applications, it enables Alltel’s Axcess TV, with more than 25 channels, and XM radio, with 20 of the best satellite radio music channels. To experience the broadband network, customers will need an EVDO-capable handset, such as the MOTOROKR™ Z6m, or a laptop PC data card available online and at Alltel retail stores in USB, PCMCIA Type II, and Express Card form factors.

For more information on Wireless Internet, consumers can visit an Alltel Wireless retail store or log on to www.alltel.com. Business customers can visit www.alltelsolutions.com.

Help Yourself after Bankruptcy

2008-01-08T21:30:00.000-06:00

For my first post, I want to share with you some of my credit knowledge.

If you have filed Chapter 7 Bankruptcy and have never cleaned up your credit file, you are only hurting yourself. The first thing you should do after a bankruptcy is to make sure all 3 major credit bureaus know that bad debt is now bankruptcy debt. In some cases, bankruptcy can make your bad debt look better, because you are no longer being reported as delinquent.

The easiest way is to send a letter to each of the 3 bureaus (Equifax, Trans Union, and Experian) a letter that states you need your information updated. Here is an example:

Credit Bureau Research Request

I have recently had a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Discharged and I need my information updated and judgments removed.

My Information:
Jane Claudia Doe
SSN: 000-00-0000 DOB: 01/01/2001

Current Address:
123 N Main St
Anytown, NY 10056
Phone: (212) 555-1212

Previous Names: Jane C Dame-Doe, Jane Claudia Dame

Public Records to be removed:

Public Record Item	Case Number	Nature of Dispute
111 Collections, Inc	CIV020035	Discharged in Bankruptcy Case No 09-01234
111 Collections, Inc	CIV0500555	Discharged in Bankruptcy Case No 09-01234
Big Bank Mortgage Company	CIV060011	Discharged in Bankruptcy Case No 09-01234

Credit Items to be updated:

Creditor's Name	Account #	Nature of Dispute
Company Im Dodging	12345	Discharged in Bankruptcy Case No 09-01234
Capital One	5307999912345678	Discharged in Bankruptcy Case No 09-01234
Citibank	514812345	Discharged in Bankruptcy Case No 09-01234
Providian	4031012345678901	Discharged in Bankruptcy Case No 09-01234
Next Card	425995489746458	Discharged in Bankruptcy Case No 09-01234

Thank you,

/s/Jane Doe 12/31/2009

Jane Doe

Enclosures:
Bankruptcy Discharge Page - Schedule D - Schedule F - Driver’s License - Social Security Card
Order Directing Clerk of Court to Discharge Judgments Discharged in Bankruptcy

Be sure to send everything I listed in the Enclosures. Also include a copy of a court order and/or marriage license if your name has changed since your bankruptcy.

Send a copy to each of the 3 bureaus, check their respective websites for the most recent contact address. Also, send each letter via Priority Mail, not certified mail. You have tracking information and they don't have to sign, so your letter will not be refused. They have 30 days to update your file after the letter is received (45 days for Free Annual Credit Report disputes).

I have found that it is best to make sure you only ask them to update information that is contained in their particular file. Example: If only Equifax reports Joe Schmoe Bank, then only include update information for Joe Schmoe Bank in Equifax's letter.