Drew

{ 08/10/2011 }

hey JJ, just use opera mini.. works fine and allows you to use with the "free" data. the origional blackberry browser knows you dont have a blackberry plan and thats why it wont work but opera mini works just as fine.

JJ

{ 08/10/2011 }

Drew,
I'm using a BB 8330 on the grandfathered alltel prepaid plan. I tried using 'browser' application for the first time and I get this message: "Your device does not currently have any Browser Configuration Service Book Entries. Please contact your service provider to enable the Browser on your device." How do I get a browser working on the phone. Thanks!

Drew

{ 07/26/2011 }

thats the only reason why im with verizon, because i get to use my same alltel plan with all the unlimited benefits while using the verizon network for $20 a month. id never pay verizons high prepaid rates. and youre right.. $30 for data?? $50+ prepaid plans for only talk and MORE for just talk and text?? not me. if it wernt to be grandfathered in, i would not be using verizon. verizon doesnt allow their prepaid customers to do a lot of things and the only reason im able to is because of what alltel deemed us to do (with a few other loopholes, ha). for the stuff i get to do with my phone/prepaid plan, id say its worth about $95+ a month.

Eric

{ 07/26/2011 }

Yea I really think alltel is losing out by not having prepaid smartphones. I wouldn't mind paying for it, like virgin or boost...sprint service sucks though. And verizon's prepaid is a joke $70 plus the $30 for data, not happening. If alltel would wise up and have a decent priced prepaid plan for smartphones I think alot of ppl would use it. Guess too much verizon got into them and they don't want to lose contracts. I hate verizon anyway ever since i got $600 bill for txts back in like 03...my plan was unlimited until they decided to change that with no notification...i'm seriously about to get 2 solo cups and a string at this point.

Drew

{ 07/26/2011 }

and were safe. no sign of them stopping us from using smartphones or stopping my free data cause were "grandfathered" in. online profile still gives the option to swap, im still using my phone fine now connected to my router supporting the tv and laptop at the same time, data still free and not using minutes even when balance runs out. and just to point out, when i do talk to a rep the few times i do, they do verify that i have unlimited data on my plan.

Drew

{ 07/26/2011 }

ey Eric its aight man. i dont know why alltel would do that, even as a "new" company. EVERYONE ELSE allows their prepaid to use smartphones. its almost like theyre purposely making the company loose out on gaining more people/competition. maybe that rep should tell corporate headquarters what he read on this site..

Eric

{ 07/26/2011 }

Yea, apparently why I have had no success activating the 8330. Oh well I'll just be ditching alltel I guess. At least I pretty much got almost a whole year of prepaid "free"(no daily fee deducted) so I can't complain. Just have to figure out who I will switch to, if only sprint service didn't suck where I live. Good luck to you guys that already have one activated, if it takes as long as did for them to catch my free daily fee mistake you might have awhile left hah.

Drew

{ 07/26/2011 }

hA! sorry to hear the bad news. guess it pays to be grandfathered in with an alltel plan while on the verizon network. we get to use smartphones and keep our old plans. plus unlimited data. the best of both worlds. alltel needs to step their game up and allow prepaid to use smartphones... thats what started this whole thing anyways. besides, every company allows smartphones on prepaid so how they figure they wont allow it? anyway.. a majority of us is converted to verizon and dont have that issue so enjoy everyone. not rubbing it in anyones faces but im glad im grandfathered in on my old plan, on a better network.

cutie33

{ 07/26/2011 }

The alltel employee is correct. I just logged into the new prepaid account website today and there is no option for you to change your phone. You can no longer put in the ESN yourself. This sucks because i was JUST about to purchase me a smart phone this week! guess i'll stick to my flip phone..

Drew

{ 07/25/2011 }

i doubt it. id have to see that happen for myself to believe it. that rumor been spoken about since day one and YEARS later were all STILL using smartphones. so please. and plus, if thats the case, id probly be the only one who still uses a smartphone because for whatever reason, on my profile, my smartphone isnt recognized by the system. not because its blacklisted or hacked, because it isnt. its a brand new phone and clean ESN, but the system just doesnt recognize that i have a smartphone on my plan. no picture shows up for the phone im using. and even when i call customer service, they have no idea what phone im using. i think its because i activated my phone on the system way back when verizon just took us over. so.. their bad. besides, i know of so many other back doors and loopholes- all legal (non "hacking").

if you mean the regular alltel that still exists, that still doesnt pretain to a majority of us on here because we all basically been converted over to verizon. AND, it still doesnt mean us grandfathered alltel peeps because verizon allows their prepaid customers to have smartphones so.. any way around we win.

sorry but i dont buy that, no one else probly does either..

Alltel Employee

{ 07/25/2011 }

Hey Everyone I am an Alltel Employee in a corporate store. Just want to give you all a heads up, we are under a system migration and are using a brand new system. By August 1, 2011 this new system will be fully operatable and is going to catch the Smartphone ESN's attatched the any prepaid plans and sytematically shut them all down. You will then have to come in and change your phone to a standard feature phone. All online options to change your phone yourself will be changed as well. It will also catch that the esn is a smartphone and will not process the change for you. Calling in to customer service and you will get the same result. The systems entirely will block any smartphone esn from existing on a prepaid plan.

Drew

{ 07/22/2011 }

Eric ya, *22898 would work even without an online account. and even would do better than the online account these days, under certain situations because i think they figured out what everyone is doing and kinda made the online ESN changer block you from activating certain, if not most smartphones, especially if you dont have the smartphone plan. for example, back then using the online way, it worked flawlessly with blackberries. these days, they rigged the online way to make you either convert your plan or add the $30 data fee. why they did that i dont know but *22898 works fine. youd select having a verizon wireless phone number and then youd put in your alltel number and youre set.

Eric

{ 07/22/2011 }

Ohhh wait, the system is down for the weekend...that may have something to do with it duur, I just got that txt earlier...I will try on monday

Eric

{ 07/22/2011 }

I will try the 8530 in a couple weeks, but I just got an 8330 and trying to use *22898 to activate it asks if i have a verizon number or other. choosing verizon doesn't work and other says my call is being transfered...do i wait and give them my number or will they not do it for me? Should I set up an online account with alltel and try? My first try so I'm lost. Thanks in advance for any help.

Drew

{ 07/19/2011 }

Cari: what phone you thinking of putting on your prepaid plan?

Eric: in the past i tested the curve 8530 and it didnt work. but i think that changed. i havent tested it since i tested it back when i did but give it a go and see what happens. other blackberries will work tho and with all blackberries, data is free and doesnt use up your minutes. even when your balance is zero, data is still free.

Cari

{ 07/19/2011 }

Drew!!! Can I put an alltel contract phone onto a prepaid plan?

Eric

{ 07/19/2011 }

Drew, you know if the Curve 8530 will work? I've had my $1 a day plan for almost 2yrs I guess, for almost a yr it didn't even deduct the daily fee and my balance only went down from using weekday daytime minutes...they finally caught that i guess. I have the old samsung freedom i got when starting the plan. I haven't kept up with wireless stuff, and don't even know when the verizon thing happened or which my plan is considered...I just need a new phone, but want to keep the prepaid I have now and wondering if I can buy a new alltel curve 8530 off ebay and it work and use the internet on it with the prepaid plan I have now.

Dawg

{ 07/14/2011 }

Customer service is a joke at alltold. They will tell you one thing and then will do something else. If you have them as your carrier and you decide to quit, don't ever change your mind even if they offer you $350.00 credit over 3 months to rethink your decision. I did that and only got $114. of it but got tons of bills from them and a nasty letter plus a threat of ruining my credit for not paying the bills that was suppose to be covered by the credit. Had been with them since 1995, but I will never, ever be associated with them again

Drew

{ 07/10/2011 }

ya you can use the verizon prepaid pantech on your plan, atleast if they didnt change that. last i tested it, it worked.

dial *22898 from your blackberry and it will activate

sanchez

{ 07/10/2011 }

I have the bb tour 9630 is there any way to get it on a prepaid plan Drew?

@Drew

{ 07/10/2011 }

drew can i use a verizon prepay pantech on alltel?

Drew

{ 07/09/2011 }

LOS: good that youre taking advantage of your plans "hidden" features and options. but chances are if the phone isnt from alltel, it wont work. in some cases, even if it IS an alltel newer released phone, it wont work either. only a few loopholes here and there we have access to, so the hunt is on to find them. there are some verizon phones were allowed to use on our same plan. but some disadvantages from using them too. im just sticking with blackberry for now. my EVDO rev.A speed is fast enough to have my router support my laptop and my tv at the same time to stream netflix, etc and use the internet- free. but ill keep everyone posted of anything i find out.

LOS

{ 07/09/2011 }

Drew, I purchased a bb curve 8330 online. I activated it using *22898 and it works perfectly. My alltel plan stays the same even though I'm with verizon. And yes FREE data works. I'm using radio apps, news apps, etc. Absolutely free. Is it possible to use any cdma phone for example bb torch 2 9550? I will see later when the price of the phone goes down a bit.

Drew

{ 06/29/2011 }

willy you cant use it on alltel, im sure you know that though. alltel prepaid is good because of the bang you get for your buck. but its up to however much you think youd wanna spend per month that counts. if you wanna spend about $50 a month, other companies may appeal to you more because of newer phone options. im not leaving my grandfathered plan unless someone comes out with better for the same price or less or unless verizon kicks us off. i get too many advantages.

willy

{ 06/29/2011 }

DREW,I HAVE A MEMOIR BY SAMSUNG AND I BOUGHT IT THROUGH T MOBILE BUT NOW IAM USING IT FOR VIDEO PURPOSES SINCE I LOST THE SOUND OF IT,I'M THINKING OF GETTING ALLTELL PREPAID.WHAT U SUGGEST?

Drew

{ 06/10/2011 }

So has anyone been able to use any of the phones I mentioned not working (by actually dialing *22898- though I tried through online activation) on the grandfathered alltel prepaid plans? I mentioned that the verizon palm pixi plus may activate. Well I ordered one, tried it and wouldn't activate. I haven't physically tried any of the new alltel phones yet but will eventually. Hopefully they'll work..

Rob

{ 06/06/2011 }

none

Drew

{ 05/12/2011 }

tested the curve 9330 and it wont activate, tho i didnt try dialing *228 (may work that way but i didnt try it)

Drew

{ 05/11/2011 }

i havent tested the curve 2 yet. i have tested the first one a while back and it didnt work. maybe it might now but i kinda doubt it. id have to try them again. i kinda stopped messing with 3g phones lately and focusing on the 4g ones. the alltel palm treo pro will work and has wifi built in. i think the verizon palm pixi will work too but id have to further test.

JJ

{ 05/11/2011 }

Drew,
As far as you know. Which Alltel Blackberry with wifi feature will work with the grandfathered prepaid plan? Will the Curve 2 work?
Thanks.

Drew

{ 05/11/2011 }

nope its free because youre using wifi from a source other than off of the cell tower so youre fine

JJ

{ 05/11/2011 }

Drew,
When a smartphone uses the internet through wifi on a grandfathered alltel prepaid plan, is the phone using up minutes? Thanks.

Drew

{ 05/08/2011 }

finally tested the iphone 4 and 2 other verizon phones. for anyone that wants them, youre able to activate them but it requires that you convert your plan. i didnt try with *22898 tho. so there you have it.. i phone 4 will work on prepaid but you have to convert your plan (till further notice).

Drew

{ 05/04/2011 }

welcome. now you can use all the free data you like

Rob

{ 05/03/2011 }

Received my Blackberry 8330 Saturday....called *22898 entered my old phone number and presto! Working like a charm! Thanks again Drew! I have one more older phone of ours that I'm going to upgrade w/ the old Alltel plan!
Rob

Drew

{ 05/03/2011 }

a majority of the alltel blackberries will work, especially the older ones

JJ

{ 05/03/2011 }

Rob,
Please let me know if the BB Curve 8330 worked for you. I have the grandfathered alltel pay per day plan and I'm looking to replace my current phone. Thanks.

Rob

{ 04/26/2011 }

So this Curve 8830 should work:

http://www.myphonedied.com/Carrier/Alltel/

I have one on the way.

Drew

{ 04/19/2011 }

Blackberry. and you get to use data for free, minutes or not.

Rob

{ 04/19/2011 }

Thanks for the help Drew. I'm glad you mention that about the Verizon smart phones. I found a nice Samsung SCH-i770 Saga, but it is a Verizon phone. That kind of sucks that I'd have to upgrade.

The Treo is a no go. It flat out will NOT let you dial any of the *228 or *22898. A message pops up and says "*228 can not be dial while roaming"
I boxed it up and am shipping it back tomorrow.

Do you know of any smart phone that they haven't closed the door on? I'm pretty bummed that I might not be able to transfer this pre-paid account to one.

Thanks for all your help.
Rob

Drew

{ 04/19/2011 }

Rob: you cant use verizon smartphones because the system will make you convert your grandfathered plan to a verizon plan. you COULD... just warning you that it will make you convert.

as far as the alltel treo... i think they purposely locked us out of some of our phones (the treo being one of them). between them knowing what were doing and the final buyout of whatever alltel markets there still were, they have us in limbo to try their best to get us off these plans because they know were getting more bang for our buck. the only reason the phone would be showing roam is because the PRL isnt updated and should have when you did *22898. did you try putting the ESN in your profile online? if you tried both online and dialing *22898, theres not much else that can be really done. different phones have different back door ways of changing things and fixing stuff but i havent messed around with palm that much to find ways around it. your daughters treo programmed flawless because that was before they pulled certain plugs, along with everyone else that has an alltel smartphone. the more time that goes by they keep stopping more and more phones regrdless if its alltel or not. theyre also interferring with the online ESN swap because they know not many knows about *22898. just try *228 and see what that does. itll still program the phone. if still roaming try *22899.

C

{ 04/19/2011 }

I HAVE A ALLTELL SMART PHONE HTC DESIRE CAN I PUT THAT ON PREPAID IF SO HOW DO I DO IT?

Rob

{ 04/18/2011 }

Drew
One last question. If I just sent this Alltel phone back and buy a Verizon phone, would that work how that I'm with Verizon even though it's a granfathered Alltel plan. If that would work it might be easier that try to get this thing unlocked.
Thanks!
Rob

Rob

{ 04/18/2011 }

Drew-
I finally have the phone registered with my Verizon account, but we found a problem. The phone is locked on the old Alltel Network that is was originally on. It now automatically goes to roaming as soon as you power it on. I'm unable to pretty much do anything with it right now. It won't even let you do the *2289 when roaming.

I spend about 3 hours at two different Verizon Stores yesterday. Of course at first they were too pleased that I had a smart phone on a pre-paid account, but once they pulled up my account and saw it was registered they didn't have a problem. However, they said that even though my local network is a native Alltel network the phone is stilled locked on the original. Do you any way to unlock it so I can use the Verizon network. My daughters phone was evidently unlocked and does fine.
Any ideas?
Thanks a ton!
Rob

Drew

{ 04/17/2011 }

hey Rob. dial *22898 on the Treo and it should work fine without having you switch anything

Rob (in KS)

{ 04/16/2011 }

Hey Drew,
You helped me out a while back with my daughters prepaid plan...she ended up using the Palm Treo Pro. I just bought another Palm Treo for my son and was going to transfer my prepaid account to him. I just have the basic 15 cent per minute and seldom use it so it perfect.

It looks like you are correct in that Verizon is trying to stop us from transferring old Alltel plans. Just as Ivan said, when you try to switch phone by entering the ESN it makes you select one of the new Verizon plans. Either 75 cent per day for two choices or 99 cents a day on days of use. Neither as cheap as mine.....I put $15 on my phone once a month and never use it all....it rolls over and I usually build up to like $20-$30 balance.

Do you think that Verizon would make the transfer if I called customer service or am I pretty much stuck with one of their plans.

Thanks!

Cristy

{ 04/11/2011 }

Was wondering if there is any smartphone I can buy and keep on a prepaid unlimited monthly plan as I have now I only pay 54.99 for everything unlimited. I have saw someone say Blackberry, HTC Diamond touch, Just wondering before I buy. Dont want to loose no money....Thanks so much

amrap

{ 04/01/2011 }

I am trying to read reviews about cell phone plans. This Alltel Review seems to be more of a help platform. I find it difficult to get a general Review of Alltel, like I am reading in Consumer Cellular and such. Is there a anyone who can please advise a Review of the cell service, Customer Service, and such?

Any

{ 03/22/2011 }

If you have an alltel pay per day plan and now you're under the verizon network but still have that pay per day plan could you activate a htc desire or htc wildfire on that prepaid account? I've heard you can activate any alltel phone on the grandfather prepaid account.

Pooch

{ 03/20/2011 }

Can i use the HTC diamond touch on my dollar a day plan i really wanna upgrade and will it charge me anything extra if i change phones to switch my number.

Drew

{ 03/13/2011 }

hmmmmm..

not sure why its doing that to you. i figured it was because your account was locked but now that its unlocked and still doing it is unclear. im kinda thinking that one or both of the phones youre using or trying to use might be blacklisted (especially since your account was locked, they probly blacklisted them thinking your account was stolen or something). what phones are you trying to use again? you said a samsung touch and a bb 8830 right? with that said, i think verizon knows what were (ex alltel peeps) doing and trying to make it hard on us by blocking the online ESN swapping by either not allowing the system to accept our phones like that (online) without making the system to force us to switch our plan. *22898 is a work around, but sometimes that doesnt do it either. id say if both those ways dont work, call a rep or go in a store and have them put the phone on for you. just remember to tell then do NOT change my plan and that you already had that phone on your plan already so you know it WILL work. i think the motorolla milestone will work for us but i havent dug deep on that one yet though i have brushed by and tested it. let me know how it goes for you man. you should try calling 611 and have them swap it for you. 1 wrong move on their end though and you loose the plan..

Ivan

{ 03/13/2011 }

Drew, I managed to get my online account unlocked. But when trying to change my phones after entering esn hex online it takes me to selecting family plans which I don't understand. I don't want that. Dailing *22898 doesn't work either. Help plz

Drew

{ 03/09/2011 }

efly: the only way to avoid it would be to get unlimited nights and weekends because data is billed as minutes so it would be free during that time and to turn the data setting off during the day. certain smartphones allows you to have it free, some dont. for that reason alone im staying with what i have because data is a must for me and im not willing to pay a separate fee or more for it. i still test and look into stuff on a regular and will let you guys know of anything i find out. i have tested verizons 4G modems and so far those are a no go. just thought id let you guys know. also gonna test the iphone 4 and other newer phones.

efly

{ 03/07/2011 }

Drew,
Today I got a customer service rep to transfer my plan to an Alltel HTC Touch Pro. It's a great phone, but I am getting charged for the data where I did not get charged on my BlackBerry Pearl. I have the 75 cent plan with unlimited text and mobile to mobile. Any ideas how to avoid the data charge? Thanks a lot

Kia

{ 03/05/2011 }

Why won't my alltel phone let me buy a one day pass to the internet? it keeps saying "internet connection lost"!!

Kia

{ 03/05/2011 }

Why won't my alltel phone let me buy a one day pass to the internet? it keeps saying "internet connection lost"!!

Drew

{ 03/01/2011 }

ivan i thought you asked that before. if your account is locked, theres nothing *22898 can do for you anyways because it still requires you enter your 4 digit pin and when you enter that its still gonna know your account is locked and block you. or if its the blackberry not activating its probly because its blacklisted for whatever reason.

Ivan

{ 02/28/2011 }

I have a problem. I have a bb 8830 and have had it on my alltel prepaid pay per day plan before and I wanted to switch it back but I can't do it by calling the *22898 number anymore. And my verizon account online is locked.

Drew

{ 02/26/2011 }

Alltel still exists

Michael

{ 02/25/2011 }

Alltel prepaid is now combined with Verizon Wireless. No longer offered.

Drew

{ 02/02/2011 }

sup luke, ya i know of anworms stuff. i didnt use his service books but mine still works the way it should like a contract. im not using push email. everything else but that. but ya, mine works fully. theres ways to get push email working if you know what youre doing. i guess thats why i have all my stuff working right. good that you have those service books though because as prepaid you cant get them.

Luke

{ 02/02/2011 }

Hey Drew, I talked to you a while back about my curve on prepaid. I got the data and all working, I found a set of service books by a guy named anworm, it allowed the blackberry browser to work, streams youtube, and I can do ota downloads. If anyone is interested, they can go to anworm.com, also, have you had success getting push email yet?

Drew

{ 01/30/2011 }

Ya don't worry about the SIP password not showing or saving. It does but stays invisible. But that phone is the problem. Just the fact alone that it can't receive a signal is the main problem. Next is the system requiring that you convert to a verizon plan. So.. If you're able to, get your money back. I guess they closed that loop and whoever doesn't already have a smartphone is out of luck. Untill further notice. And for those that do have a smartphone.. Better leave it as is cause chances are if you swap it off.. You're stuck. I personally think its just a temporary thing because I remember this happened before, when verizon first took us over. So wait it out. Just know that unless you can get a rep to override it for you and put it on your plan (without purposely or mistakingly loosing your alltel plan to a verizon one) or till further notice of me, you or someone else giving you the ok.. You're out of having a blackberry or smartphone on your alltel plan..

Ill keep you guys posted

JJ

{ 01/30/2011 }

To clarify what I was saying about the SIP Password; it was blank to begin with and so I typed in 'alltel'. After the phone rebooted the SIP Password was blank again. Like it didn't save even though I hit 'save'. I tried repeating the process and each time SIP Password was blank.

JJ

{ 01/30/2011 }

Drew,
I tried to activate the Pearl online using the hex # several times consecutively, same thing happened each time...prompted to pick a verizon plan.
Another thing is, I went back to the CDMA Edit Screen and doesn't seem to save the SIP Password. I've entered 'alltel' and saved. After the phone reboots, the SIP is blank again. Tried it a couple times, same thing happens.
Well, either it sounds like I should get a replacement.

Drew

{ 01/30/2011 }

The touch pro and diamond will work or any smartphones beFORE verizon bought us out.

Drew

{ 01/30/2011 }

JJ- Doesn't matter that you never had a smartphone on your plan before, the system will accept it (or atleast till further notice if they haven't screwed with things). It could be a factor as to why it has that X because you didn't input the hex into the system yet. Try it on your profile again to see if it'll accept it. If it doesn't work, try it again another 2 or 3 times. Somethings up with that though because even when I bought this blackberry or any other phone I ever had that was brand new, it still recieves a signal but it shows the phone is roaming untill you properly activate it. They make it to where it has to gain some kinda signal so that the network can talk to it so you can activate it.

efly- the htc or any other new alltel smartphones that just came out (after verizon bought us out- atleast till tested) won't work. Or.. They will but will require you to convert to a verizon prepaid plan. So nope.. I already been there, done that and will keep everyone posted of what I find out.

efly

{ 01/30/2011 }

I have a BB Pearl 8130 and everything data works and I don't get charged for it... but I am wondering if a HTC Touch or Touch Pro alltel branded would work? dialing *22898 on it just gives you a "transaction cannot be completed at this time"

JJ

{ 01/30/2011 }

Drew,
Its still has the X where the signal bars are supposed to be. Note, that the BB pearl is not registered as my phone type or to anyone, since I switched back to the Myshot. Does that make a difference?
Also, being that I have never activated a smartphone on the alltel prepaid plan, is it even possible for me to do it now.

Drew

{ 01/30/2011 }

JJ so are you getting a signal? No entries under host routing table isn't good. Do you have service books? To see if you have service books its right where host routing table is.. Go to options, advanced options and click on service books. If you don't have any, that's not good but there is a way to get them.. if the signal still doesn't come through, I'd just return it. Don't worry about the data thing I was saying, that was to someone else. Was just saying how my data is free regardless of money on my plan or minutes.

JJ

{ 01/30/2011 }

Drew,
I was able to do what you instructed until I hit 'Register Now' in the 'Host Routing Table' section. I get this message: "Registration message queued. It will be sent once data coverage is available". There are *No Entries* under the 'Host Routing Table'. I have the pay per day plan and I believe I get charged data by the minute.

Drew

{ 01/30/2011 }

There are data plans on prepaid- NOW for both verizon and alltel but us grandfathered in people that used to be alltel, we get billed data by the minute because back then they didn't have a billing arrangement set up for prepaid, and actually even contract was the same way: data = minutes. So whoever is grandfathered with the old alltel plans still use that 'data as minutes' method.

..For me though, I lucked out of that to an even better advantage.. My data usage is FREE! UNLIMITED! Anything on my phone that uses EVDO is free and I don't get charged for it; web in phone, blackberry apps, pandora, phone as modem (connecting blackberry to laptop to get online), etc... All free. Even if I have $0 on my account its still free/unlimited to use

@drew

{ 01/30/2011 }

Is there any data plans on prepay or does it take it out of your mins.

Drew

{ 01/29/2011 }

try this: dial ##000000 and send to get to the CDMA edit screen. make sure youre phone number is in the first and second line. SIP needs to also be your number@bb.alltel.net. same for MIP. SIP password is alltel. when all that is done, hit the blackberry menu button and select save. itll say "write successful" and the phone will restart. let me know if that did it.

when phone restarts, hit menu button, go to options, advanced options, host routing table, press menu button, select register now. itll say "registration message sent" and few seconds later you should recieve a text saying that your phone has been registered with the network. if you dont get that text.. somethings wrong. or, if you still have an X, you might as well call it quits with that phone. the list just goes on from there because even if you get passed the signal problem and got it activated, if you dont have service books... you still have a problem. but let me know how it goes

Drew

{ 01/29/2011 }

but JJ the trick is even if you do tell them the hex or you were able to do it yourself and the system accepted it, youd still be stuck because youd NEED to still dial *22899 to get the phone fully programmed and youre not able to do that without reception. without getting a signal on the phone, verizon cant do anything. we need to solve the signal problem first in order for anything else to happen. the phone needs to communicate with the network and network needs to communicate with the phone

JJ

{ 01/29/2011 }

Drew,
Well, if it is a defect, then I have the option of getting a replacement from the company that I purchased it from. I think I'm going to try one more thing and if it doesn't work then I'll get a replacement. I'm going to call Verizon CS, but this time I'll give them the ECN (hex) # as oppose to the (dec) one. I guess it won't hurt to try, right?

Drew

{ 01/29/2011 }

its not supposed to do that though for "regular" alltel phones. its probly just a temporary problem or something theyre doing to the network (messing with 4G stuff, etc. who knows). about that X... thats not normal. never happened to me (except for when i messed with stuff). my old curve- activated with no problem. my new blackberry i have now- activated with no problem. other blackberries i tested- no prob, no X. see... i can have you do something that may work but the fact of the matter is that even if you got the signal back on, you still cant activate the phone because the system will have you select a verizon plan.

JJ

{ 01/29/2011 }

Drew,
It could just be that if you try changing any alltel phone online for the prepaid plan that you're prompted to choose only from verizon's prepaid plans. I tried switching back to my original basic alltel phone, the samsung myshot, online and it does the same thing. However when I dialed *22898 from the phone, it switched over successfully.
Now, as I mentioned earlier, when I tried to change my phone to the alltel BB 8130 by dialing *22898, I immediately got a 'call failed' message. There is an 'X' where my signal bars are supposed to be even when all the connections are on. Is that normal for BB 8130s, when it is yet to be connected to a network? Or is it a sure defect?

Drew

{ 01/29/2011 }

Hmm.. That means trouble man. The ESN dec isn't the number to input so the phone wouldn't activate regardless because the system wants the hex. Ya, the dec is the same thing (if you know your stuff), but they didn't program the system to read the dec. The part that's trouble is when you mention inputting the hex and it requireing you convert to a verizon plan. If that's the case... Everyone who didn't already get a blackberry or other smartphone on their plan is screwed. That basically means they found out what were (grandfathered alltel prepaid peeps) doing and cracked down and programmed the system to block us prepaid (alltel) peeps from activating smartphones (without 1.. Converting us to loose our benefits and 2.. Charging the verizon rate to have a smartphone on prepaid). There's always back door ways but.. Its not as easy for you guys to do that vs the way it was intended (inputting ESN hex online and/or dialing *22899 and done with).

I can't assume yet that that's what they did without testing a few things myself. I hope that's not the case though for those who didn't get to take advantage of a great plan with a smartphone. Last I tested, I tried an alltel branded droid on my plan. The system didn't care that it was alltel and like you, required me to convert to a verizon plan. I'm fine with keeping my blackberry. Does everything a contract does. $20 a month and I use all my features to the fullest. Unlimited. Keep me posted.. Ill do the same

JJ

{ 01/29/2011 }

Drew,
In response to ‘service books’ and ‘HRTs’, I am not familiar with them. How do I check those?

JJ

{ 01/29/2011 }

Drew,
I do have a Verizon Online account. Whenever I enter the ESN hex in the change phone option, it brings me to a screen where I need to choose one of Verizon’s prepaid plan and it does not include the alltel prepaid plan as an option. At that point I just cancel the transaction so that I don’t end up losing my alltel plan. So I decided to call Verizon CS. I gave the CS Rep the ESN (dec) and they did a trouble shoot on the BB. The only thing that accomplished was that the BB now appears as my phone type on my Verizon Online account, but with no connection. I wonder if it would have made a difference if they entered the ESN (hex) # instead of the ESN (dec) #?

Drew

{ 01/29/2011 }

Under "manage connections" make sure "mobile network" is selected and has a check in the box next to it.

Drew

{ 01/29/2011 }

JJ: I thought you were saying that under available networks it gave you the option to select alltel or H (assuming you had it set to manual network selection). That's why I suggested you select alltel, but that's not the case. My blackberry says "alltel" as my selected network (mine is set to automatic). Even my service books say alltel. Because remember even though verizon took us over, we are still "alltel" (and have to be untill they no longer honor our plans and convert us to verizon plans). This has nothing to do with receiving a signal but did you go to your online profile and put in that blackberry's ESN hex? By the way, do you even have any service books? If those other things didn't solve the problem then its time to focus on bigger issues. If you don't have any service books then that can be a reason as to why. What about your host routing table (HRT)? Those control the phone and tell it what to do

JJ

{ 01/29/2011 }

Drew,
I don't have the option to select anything from 'Network Available' list. Is there a section where I can select an available network? However, the 'Network Selection Mode' has been selected on Automatic the whole time, and still no signal.

Drew

{ 01/29/2011 }

hey jj if it lists alltel you need to select that. you also need to set network selection mode to automatic so it can automatically select the network on its own.

JJ

{ 01/29/2011 }

As an answer to your question, there is an alltel logo on the bottom front side of the phone. And if you look in the 'Mobile Network Options' under 'Available Networks' it lists only ALLTEL and the letter H. Anyway, I'll go ahead and get a replacement. Hopefully that one will work. I've been following the comments on this site. From what I read, the Alltel BB Pearl should work with their grandfathered prepaid plan on Verizon's network. Thanks for all your insight Drew!

Drew

{ 01/29/2011 }

hmm.. ya return it and get another one. is it even alltel branded or have alltel software in it (home screen background should have that "a" or something relating to alltel)? if it doesnt that can be the/a problem. as i mentioned i know exactly what its doing and though i can say this and that, theres nothing like having it in hand to see and do stuff for myself though i know that s not possible. there can be so many other reasons why its doing that. that same thing happened with my old blackberry curve when i was testing stuff and messing with it.

JJ

{ 01/29/2011 }

Drew,
I dialed *22801 and I get a 'call failed' message like the other numbers. Is the phone defective? I have the option of returning it for another one if its considered "defective". Would that be the best way to take? Thanks.

Drew

{ 01/28/2011 }

well with it saying none, thats only saying that that phone wasnt properly provisioned to be geared toward verizon/alltel network. meaning the phone doesnt know exactly what network bandwith to scan to be tuned to. it has no direction. try dialing *22801... i think thats verizons channel (others reading this should not dial that). i know exactly what the phone is doing and something tells me that that phone been messed with before..

JJ

{ 01/28/2011 }

Thanks for your reply Drew. I have tried selecting the Mobile Network on. It didn't make a difference. This may be worth noting, in the 'Mobile Network Options', 'Mobile Network' indicates *NONE*. I've tried doing a battery pull...no difference. What else can I try? Thanks.

Drew

{ 01/28/2011 }

jj i read your first message while sitting in the parking lot earlier. was gonna reply but figured id wait till i got home. ended up taking some z's when i got home. checked back on here and saw you wrote that next message. what the rep told you was what i was also gonna guide you to. if theres an x where the signal is means you probly have it shut off in the options on the phone. go to manage connections and make sure that mobile network is selected and has a check in the box. that should do it. let me know if that worked

JJ

{ 01/28/2011 }

Drew,
I called verizon CS. They were able to change my phone over to the BB Pearl, but I still don't have any bars. An 'X' shows where the signal bars are supposed to be. The verizon CS guided me on the 'CDMA Service Edit Screen' and changed the MDN, IMSI_S, and Home SID, but it didn't seem to change anything. What can I do to resolve the no signal issue?

JJ

{ 01/28/2011 }

Drew,
I'm currently with verizon on the grandfathered alltel prepaid pay per day plan. I just got a new alltel blackberry 8130 and I want to activate it on the same plan. When ever I dial *228 or *22898 or *22899 I almost immediately get a "call failed" message each time. Is there something wrong with the blackberry? If not how do I activate it? I would appreciate your help.

Luke

{ 01/19/2011 }

I found a work around for my you tube problem. Instead of using opera mini, I downloaded bolt browser, it will stream any video, and you can download almost anything you want without a data plan.

Luke

{ 01/11/2011 }

Yep, I am lucky I guess. I love the fact that I have a blackberry and unlimited data on prepaid. And again opera is a great browser. Any Idea about it saying opera wants to invoke the browser whenever im tryin to videos off of any site. Thats the only real problem Im having now. I set up facebook to text updates and my hot mail does the same now. So its decent.

Drew

{ 01/11/2011 }

luke, youre lucky you were able to activate it. usually they black list or block phones that have dues untill theyre paid off. but ya, it could be a factor in why things are acting up. atleast youre able to use it though

Luke

{ 01/10/2011 }

Hey Drew, I think I figured out my problem. My curve was on a contract that had a past due amount. I just found this out. That may be why its actin stupid.

@Mike H

{ 01/09/2011 }

what i've heard is that your account is your phone number and the password is the last 4 digets of phone number

luke

{ 01/08/2011 }

Hey Drew, I've got software version 4.5.0.127 on my curve. I do have the facebook app installed. Its still saying unable to connect to server. Also, some sites I got to off of opera mini like youtube, pop up and say attempting to invoke the browser to view....would you like to allow this, click yes and it tries to load it through blackberry and ssys unable to connect to the internet, same issues with e mail. Other than that Im fairly pleased with it. Again, thanks for all the help.

Mike H

{ 01/08/2011 }

Hi, I'm trying to port my prepaid Alltel phone to Straight Talk and need an account number and password. Anyone know what to numbers to use? Alltel rep. couldn't help me; said prepaid phones don't have account numbers. I would appreciate some help from anyone. Thanks.

Ivan

{ 01/07/2011 }

I have a problem. I have a bb 8830 and have had it on my alltel prepaid pay per day plan before and I wanted to switch it back but I can't do it by calling the *22898 number anymore. And my verizon account online is locked.

Drew

{ 01/07/2011 }

ya. do you have blackberry desktop manager loaded on your computer? you need to make sure you have the most recent updates for the phone. the older versions dont allow you to use youtube. my blackberry is a newer version and model than yours plus my phone is unlocked so i guess thats why i have more power to do the stuff that youre not able to. everything on mine works like if i had a contract. my brother used to have alltel prepaid but gave it up. ever since he did hes been through boost mobile and now metro pcs and complains about not having EVDO but braggs about having everything unlimited (for $65 bucks i think). im like THATS a deal?? i get everything unlimited PLUS the use of EVDO for $20! some people just like to spend money ha

Luke

{ 01/07/2011 }

Hey Drew, I have the facebook app installed, But it always says cant connect with facebook server. Also cant watch youtube from opera mini. It always tries to load from the blackberry browser.

Drew

{ 01/07/2011 }

hey Luke. you should be able to use the app. im able to on my phone. is the app already on your phone? if not youll need to load it either from the blackberry website or from blackberry application world on your phone. from the blackberry website you MAY have a problem loading either blackberry app world and/or facebook app because sometimes they demand that you have a blackberry plan to load certain stuff. if thats the case then youre kinda stuck because then there would be no way for you to get those apps at all. not unless you used someones service books.. but thats a story in its self. its all a big ball of thread. anyway, i was reading some of what people were saying about that app just now from my phone and you may not want it because of that. they were saying messages dont get delivered and if you delete messages, they still show up when you log in online, etc. so.. you might just wanna use opera. thats what they suggested and besides, opera gives you the "real deal" because youll get the regular webpage.

Luke

{ 01/06/2011 }

Im currently using a Blackberry Curve on my prepaid. Running opera mini 4.2. It works lika a charm. Drew, is there any way that I can use the face book app. By the way, thanks for the info and for helping me set it up.

Drew

{ 01/01/2011 }

Jess.. I have a grandfathered alltel prepaid plan. I have unlimited nights and weekends and unlimited text and can add unlimited mobile to mobile and unlimited favorite number whenever. I'm using a blackberry and internet is free. Or I should say anything 1XEV I use on the phone is free. So regardless of whether I wanted it or not, data is free and unlimited to use- and I use it every day. Oh and I pay $20 for the month.

Jess

{ 12/30/2010 }

man i have been looking for the best prepaid plan for months because as of today I am free of the contract burden from sprint.sounds like alltel has the best prepaid plan!I was heavily looking at str8 talk but the reviews are awful.DREW,what plan do you have with Alltel,I want to know the best one.I need a lot of mins and text.I could care less about internet :) thanks in advance~J

Ivan

{ 12/29/2010 }

I have a problem. I have a bb 8830 and have had it on my alltel prepaid pay per day plan before and I wanted to switch it back but I can't do it by calling the *22898 number anymore. And my verizon account online is locked.

Ldobb1980

{ 12/24/2010 }

I love alltel prepaid, i have the 54.99 unlimitet plan and am using a samsung delve. I was using a blackberry pearl but data quit working, 1xev in lower case showing, Drew, can you give me some help, my email is luke-dobson@hotmail.com. Thanks

Drew

{ 12/22/2010 }

Joka- my bad for not letting you know that because that is another option. Just that there's so many tricks and ways to do stuff that I sometimes forget to advise certain stuff. But ya, as you figured out, changing the NAM is also a way to do it. Glad you got it up an running though. Also writing this from my phone using opera.

JJ- all cellphones can be used as modems reguardless of make or model. The only fall is if the phone company disables that feature from your use. So yes, all those phones you named will also act as a modem. And ya you can still use your prepaid plan with it. I'm prepaid and use my blackberry as the modem all the time and it doesn't cost me minutes or anything. Lotta great benefits using a smartphone on your prepaid plan. Take advantage!

JJ

{ 12/22/2010 }

Drew,
How do you know if a phone has the capability to be used as a modem? Are these phones capable: Alltel branded: blackberry 8130 or 8330; Palm Treo 700wx; Moto Q;
btw, I would like to continue to use my Alltel prepaid plan.
Thanks.

Joka

{ 12/22/2010 }

So how about I went back and saw a post about editing the NAM programming on the blackberry and ever since I changed it, my storm has shown 1XEV. It now let's me use opera mini (which is an awesome browser!). The only thing that is wierd is that I can receive pix (mms) messages but cannot send/fwd them. Lol still its awesome to be able to use my storm again. Thanx a lot to Drew for all his advice, and to others posting here as well. P.S. I'm posting this from my BB Storm using Opera Mini 5.1

Drew

{ 12/21/2010 }

Amiek, that plan is an unlimited talk and text plan only. so ya she would still have to pay to access the browser in the phone but once she does that data will be unlimited because with alltel, data is billed as minutes and she has unlimited minutes. if she knows of a way to get passed the browser gateway fee then yes, data will be unlimited, but chances are she doesnt know that trick and would have to pay the daily or monthly access fee to use the browser in the phone, but after paying it, data will be free/unlimited for that frame of time, all day.

Amiek

{ 12/21/2010 }

Drew,

I bought my neice a prepaid alltel phone with the 69.99 unlimited plan. The salesperson said unlimited web came with it, but it is saying she has to pay. Is he lying?

Drew

{ 12/17/2010 }

JJ, those verizon phones you mentioned will work.. but its gonna require that you convert your plan from your alltel grandfathered plan to a verizon prepaid plan. youll get to keep your same number but your plan wont be alltel anymore.

the moto Q will work. just make sure its alltel branded to avoid problems. i think that feature is in that phone also. its usually a standard feature in all smartphones.

JJ

{ 12/17/2010 }

Drew,
Can the Alltel Motorola Q be used on the pay per day plan? Also does the phone give you the option to turn off the data (if needed) to avoid being charged for data usage?
Thanks.

JJ

{ 12/17/2010 }

Drew,
Do you know if the following phones would support the alltel pay per day plan: All from Verizon: LG Accolade and/or Cosmos; Samsung Smooth; Pantech Jest. Thanks.

Drew

{ 12/16/2010 }

Joka- nope. Blackberry storm isn't a part of the alltel phone lineup. That's as far as that phone will go. You'll never get it to be full 1XEV. Not unless you completely go into the programming of the phone and reprogram and flash it with alltel software, IF that, which you'd still end up with problems because of technical reasoning. Data is already on your plan and I'm sure the setting is set on in your phone. Nothing further you can do. Just talk and text..

Joka

{ 12/16/2010 }

I have a BB Storm on alltel prepaid, just getting calls and txt(cant recieve pix msg). I read in an earlier forum post that data is off if I see 1xev. Is there anyway to have data on? also having no luck with the generic service books. Any help would be much appreciated.

Joka

{ 12/16/2010 }

I have a BB Storm on alltel prepaid, just getting calls and txt(cant recieve pix msg). I read in an earlier forum post that data is off if I see 1xev. Is there anyway to have data on? also having no luck with the generic service books. Any help would be much appreciated.

jarvis freeman

{ 12/13/2010 }

i need me sum mins my phone is off

JJ

{ 12/12/2010 }

Ok. Thanks for the insight Drew!

Drew

{ 12/11/2010 }

not really. the only other you cause use it with is metro pcs if you flash it correctly (i did once) or page plus. but then if you do get the phone on those companies other than alltel (or verizon... but if youre grandfathered alltel) the phones features wouldnt even function. youll only be able to call and text. that equals out to why even have a blackberry then?

JJ

{ 12/11/2010 }

Thanks for your reply Drew. Ok. So the Alltel Blackberry 8130 and 8330 is impossible to use on a GSM network. But is it possible for those phones to work with other carriers on the CDMA network?

Drew

{ 12/11/2010 }

8130 and 8330 cant be "unlocked" because they dont even support GSM. the term "unlocked" means a CDMA or GSM phone that USES sim cards with the GSM feature no longer tied to that specific carrier, making it able to use any sim card you wish to use in it.

JJ

{ 12/10/2010 }

Does anyone know: If unlocked, can either the alltel Blackberry 8130 or 8330 be used with carriers in the GSM network? How can I determine that in general?

Rob

{ 12/02/2010 }

Drew, thanks again for the insight. That makes sense. We went ahead and called Verizon last night and put a data block on her phone and the seems to have worked. I don't know if that has effected any of her capabilities as I haven't talked to her yet.
I'll remove the data sessions number once I get home and see what happens.

I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks for the help......feel like you should be getting paid for tech support. LOL

Take care,
Rob

Drew

{ 12/02/2010 }

hey Rob. ever since you mentioned that last time i been thinking about it. not sure why thats happening, but maybe have a slight idea. i have a blackberry and kill data on an everyday basis and it doesnt charge me anything. even when my account is at $0, data is still free to use and when i have money on my account it doesnt charge me money or minutes.

my guess is that since that phone was once provisioned to be used on a contract, the phones programs are geared up to charge as if it were still on a contract. for me, when i got my phone, it was brand new so when i put it on my prepaid account, that was the first provision that phone ever got. if you dug in the phones settings, youd know what i mean. if she has data turned off and using wifi, if theres ever a time that its not recieving wifi its probly set to fall back on EVDO and can be the reason why its charging still so make sure its set to wifi only with no EVDO fallback. nothing else i can really think of that can solve that. you might wanna also change or delete the number the phone dials for data sessions (#777) so that it cant connect through EVDO, which should solve the problem. no EVDO number should = no charge. #777 also connects data sessions through 1X but if you remove the #777 it has nothing to connect to the network through. try that and see

Rob

{ 12/01/2010 }

Hey Drew, I corresponded with you several months ago and wanted to pick you brain one more time.

We purchased an Palm Treo Pro for my daughter to use with her prepaid 75 cent/day plan and she has been using our home WiFi for the internet use. Everything has been going great until the last six or seven weeks. We some how missed it, but she has being charged nearly $5.00/day for data session that she says she hasn't prompted. She said that she'll turn her data off and then in the middle of the day it will turn on and she'll receive a message that says something like "express activation." We looked at her Verizon account and there multiple "data sessions" that charge over $1.00 each time.

Do you have any idea what this might be. I was thinking that may the phone was trying to auto update or maybe some program that she is running is auto updating.

As always, any help would be deeply appreciated.

Thanks!
Rob in KS

Drew

{ 11/24/2010 }

Alchemist thats great, youre welcome!

Alchemist

{ 11/24/2010 }

Drew,
Just want to send my appreciation for your help. I'm finally able to get my phone to work on Prepaid account. Again, thank you!!!

Drew

{ 11/19/2010 }

Jeremy- you don't enter the number from the back of the phone. You're supposed to enter the ESN Hex (MEID hex) found under options, status.

Everyone- if you get transfered to a customer service rep at any time, just hang up. They won't do it for you and will only give you problems. The process should only take literally 5 mins to the most, just like you were activating any other regular phone. What it looks like is they're closing that loophole on you guys. I'm on the "alltel" side that verizon took over and were still allowed to do it..

Jeremy

{ 11/19/2010 }

DREW I hope you're still on here... I have Alltel Prepaid and I believe it's still Alltel and not Verizon. Is this/should I be able to activate a BB Tour on my account? I put the ESN from the back of the phone in the website, wait 5 mins and dial *228 then 1 some music plays and it says that they are unable to program my phone and call customer service from a land line... Am I doing something wrong? HELP!!!

BEN

{ 11/19/2010 }

WHEN I DIAL *22898 THE REP ASKS ME HOW I FOUND THAT NUMBER AND SAYS I SHOULD NOT BE CALLING IT AND AVOIDS ANY & ALL QUESTIONS THAT I MAY HAVE I'M TALKIN STRANGE AS HELL!!!! S.O.S

A.L.

{ 11/17/2010 }

Hi, I was wondering if I could use an alltel blackberry tour 9630 on my alltel pay per day account?

Guest

{ 11/16/2010 }

Will the Blackberry Curve 8330 or 8310 (not sure yet which one I am getting) will work on the prepaid plan with alltel. I have the unlimited everything plan? Thanks...

megan

{ 11/15/2010 }

Ok my email is mwindy19@live.com email me so that I can email you back the ESN number. Also I don't know if this has anything to do with it but I have been told by alltel reps that I am still fully alltel and am not verizon and verizon doesn't recognize my number so I don't think I have anything to do with verizon but I'm not for sure.

Drew

{ 11/15/2010 }

A lot of people claim phones are brand new but you have to figure.. How can that phone be BRAND NEW if its been out for a few years already? Meaning where would THAT phone have been for all these years that it never been used? So not saying its not, but you have to consider the fact that its not, and that it has been used. There is only ONE guy I know of (maybe 3 total including him) that I know of on ebay to see BRAND new phones, and its where I got my blackberry from. If you're putting the ESN hex into your online profile and its not accepting it, there's something wrong with that phones ESN because I used a curve in the past, using a blackberry NOW AND tested all those phones I mentioned and they DID activate and work. When you dial the number to activate it, select the option that says you already have a verizon number, because we are verizon. Last thing I can think of- I'm gonna have to get you to give me the ESN (not on here) so I can see for myself what's going on.

megan

{ 11/15/2010 }

Also, I emailed the seller about the ESN number before I bought it and he said he couldn't give it to me for security purposes but said it is a brand new phone, still in the box with all the accessories so I don't think it could possibly be black listed if it's never been used

megan

{ 11/15/2010 }

I did what you told me to do and when I dial *22898 it says welcome to verizon wireless to press one if you want to activate this phone with a new number or press two if you want to simply activate the phone and already have a number. I pressed two and then it says if you already have an existing verizon number press one if you have a number with a different carrier press two so i pressed two and then it automatically transfers my call to a verizon customer service rep who then tells me i need to speak to alltel and gives me the number to call and i called it but of course the alltel rep says that they can't activate my phone because it's a blackberry. I've done this more than once.

Drew

{ 11/15/2010 }

Megan... That's weird that its giving you problems. I know what you mean when you say that because that's what happens when I test phones that won't work and the blackberry curve isn't one of them. There has to be another reason why that's happening. Did you make sure the ESN number was clean and not blacklisted? Call 611 and ask them to verify that phones ESN for you. Tell them that you already have a smartphone plan and just wanna verify if that phone is clean before you put it on your plan. Another thing you wanna try is putting the ESN Hex into the ESN changer on your profile. The number that's under the battery isn't the right number to enter. In the phone go to options then status and there you'll find the ESN Hex which is the correct ESN to enter to have the phone activated on your profile. Try that and let me know

megan

{ 11/15/2010 }

hi drew,

I got my blackberry curve today and tried activating it like you said by putting the ESN number on my profile and dialing *22898 but it eventually forwarded me to a customer service rep every time because it said my number was not in the system since it isn't verizon, so I had to talk to a customer service rep each time and all of them refused to activate my phone since it is a blackberry...so how can i activate it?

Drew

{ 11/08/2010 }

by the way just a heads up to everyone, i also tested the htc Desire and Wildfire few days ago and those will NOT work.

dont forget to dial *22899 (different from *22898 for activating) to update your phones PRL or if that doesnt work dial *228 then dial 1 (or 2) when prompted.

Drew

{ 11/08/2010 }

Joy: to my knowledge, yes its possible to have the samsung delve on your plan. im not 100% positive because im talking from the (grandfathered) ex-alltel side of things. we were allowed to do it so you should too. unless they cracked down since then and dont allow you guys to do it, but for us, we were allowed to do it and still am. the samsung delve will work on prepaid and you can either dial *22898 to activate it from the phone its self OR from your online profile with the ESN changer. if you dont have an online profile with alltel, create one and youll have access to all your plan features from there without having to call customer service. put the phones ESN number in where you "change your phone" and youre done.

Alchemist: you need to have blackberry desktop manager loaded on your computer. if you dont have that you should. if you own a blackberry its good to have because when you connect your phone to the computer it checks to see if your blackberry has any available updates and automatically updates your phone. its also important for other reasons. if you do have it already, go to operamini.com and load the browser version for the pearl 8130. from the blackberry desktop manager, go to application loader. click on "add/remove applications". click "browse" and then select where you saved the opera mini download. hit "next" and floow those instructions. itll load opera mini to your phone and youll be good to use the web.

Guest: im guessing youre Alchemist? well youre close. either version should work but load the one specific for your phone model. in blackberry desktop manager, click on add/remove applications. it wont show up on that list because opera mini is still in the file form and didnt load to your phone yet. click on browse and select where you saved the opera mini file. click next and follow what it tells you to do. itll load it up and opera mini will be loaded to your phone.

megan: you can turn off the data during the day and back on at night. its not an "off completely from your plan" kinda thing, its just that the phone its self will block anything data with that setting off untill you turn it back on so that you dont get charged for it or use data. to turn it off or on, go to "manage connections" and click "mobile network options" in the phone. right there youll see "data services" which allows you to turn data on or off. so during the day turn it off. when its night turn it back on and thatll allow you to avoid being charged your minutes during the day for data. text doesnt use data so youll still recieve them while that setting is off.

so there you have it. if any of you need any further help, let me know. i can break it down more if its still not clear to you but let me know.

megan

{ 11/07/2010 }

I have the pay per month plan

megan

{ 11/07/2010 }

Hi Drew,

I have decided to get a new never used blackberry curve 8330 off ebay and I will activate it on my profile like you told me. How do I shut off the data on the phone though? Also, could I turn it on at night and get free data?

Guest

{ 11/07/2010 }

Drew,
Do I download Opera Mini 5.1 or 4.2? I did download both and then pluck my phone usb to the computer and save it on my Blackberry folder. But then the phone did not show up the file. Can you tell me what I did wrong? Maybe you can give me all the steps to get it start, please. I'm not an expert in computer, so maybe I miss out something here. PLEASE HELP!!!! Thanks my friend.

Alchemist

{ 11/07/2010 }

Drew,
Thank you very much for the information, but I'm still don't know how to set it up. If possible, can you give me steps to set it up on BB Pearl 8130. Thank you very much for every help you gives.

Joy

{ 11/07/2010 }

Andrew
-Alltel does has the best service in pre-paid, but has limited phones.I have recently just bought a Samsung Delve(a touchscreen phone;smartphone)on ebay, but i also have the $55 a month prepaid plan with Alltel.Is it possible to put it on my prepaid account, and if so..how do i do it?step by step please

Drew

{ 11/06/2010 }

alchemist, no worry. You can still use the browser in the phone but you'll have to download opera mini to the blackberry. That's the only way to use the web in the phone (like I am now) because.. The phone knows your plan doesn't include a blackberry service plan and will not allow you to use the blackberry browser that came included in the phone. But it doesn't really matter because opera mini is better that the blackberry browser. I'm using it now and it works all the same.

Alchemist

{ 11/06/2010 }

Drew,
Sorry, I mean not able to access the web. The error message: "It's not include in your plan". I was able to connect with a smartphone (Motorola Evoke) until I replace it with a BB Pearl, it would not allow me to connect the web.

Drew

{ 11/06/2010 }

alchemist dont really get what youre saying. do you mean youre not able to activate the phone? or do you mean you activated it and not able to use the web in the phone?

alchemist

{ 11/05/2010 }

Drew,
As you mention that BB Pearl will work for Alltel Prepaid Pay per day, but I activate my today, they would not let me connect to the network, therefore; can you tell me is there something that I need to change in order for it to access the web. I activate it by calling *22898, I notice when I replace with a smartphone it allow me to connect the network, but with Alltel BB Pearl, it would not let me connect, so do you have any idea what happen? Any information you provide are sincerely appreciate.

megan

{ 11/04/2010 }

Ok thanks a bunch for your advice!

Drew

{ 11/04/2010 }

Megan: yup, the 8330 woulda worked because I used to have that blackberry. When you verify a phones ESN number THATS when you can call a customer service rep and just tell them that you'd like to verify the phones ESN because you're planning to buy it and wanna be sure its not blacklisted. They wouldn't give you a problem because all you're doing is verifying the phone is "clean". Or you can do it from online with the ESN verification.

megan

{ 11/04/2010 }

Drew,

Thanks so much for the advice. Yes I did talk to a customer service rep on the phone when I tried to activate it, and she didn't even ask me for the ESN number, she just told me it can't be activated since it is a blackberry. It was a curve 8330 so I guess it would have worked...now I am still waiting on my refund from the ebay seller that I haven't received back yet and am having trouble figuring out how to get ahold of them. Wish I didn't mail that phone back! Also one more thing, how do I verify the phone's ESN number or how do I run it?

Drew

{ 11/03/2010 }

are you speaking with a live person? if so thats the first mistake. you dont need a rep to do it for you. either do it from your online profile or by dialing *22898.

online profile = put the phones ESN number in to change your phone. if you dont have an online profile i recommend you create one.

*22898 = by dialing that number from the phone you want to have activated, youre doing it directly with the network and bypassing the customer service rep. the system will ask you stuff and you enter it in and the phone will be activated.

you had an LG rythm from before so you know itll work. by that phone not working its 1 of 4 reasons i mentioned before.. 1. the rep is not doing it purposely, 2. that phones ESN is blacklisted, 3. that phone is not an alltel branded phone or 4. if it is an alltel phone its one of the newly released phones after verizon and alltel split (which we know isnt the case). the blackberry pearl 8130 WILL work unless it falls under the first 3 reasons i explained with the addition of the case its a verizon blackberry. the verizon phones you mentioned the rep told you will also work, and so will any of verizons smartphones. but again i warn you.. if you activate any of those verizon phones you WILL loose your grandfathered alltel prepaid benefits! the system will ask you to select a verizon prepaid calling plan and once you do theres no turning back. if it does activate without asking you to change your alltel plan to verizon, you STILL wont be allowed to do all the things you would with an alltel phone. youd only be limited to calling and texting. no phone as modem, web, etc..

megan.. its their job to tell you that you cant use a smartphone on prepaid. its MY job to tell you that you CAN. DONT talk to them. they dont know a LOT of stuff and they work for the company! not sure why the curve didnt work for you but it has to be 1 of those 4 things i explained. if it was the new blackberry curve 8530, that phone is one of alltels newly released phones after the verizon/alltel split and will NOT work. if it was the older curve it WILL work if it didnt fall under 1 of those 3 reasons i mentioned. your only best bet on finding alltel phones is on ebay. youre gonna have to fess up about $50 - $60 to the least but remember its worth spending a decent amount on a nice phone so you dont get the bad end of the stick. a smartphone is gonna cost you a bit because of its advanced features. no running from that. but MAKE SURE to verify the phones ESN number BEFORE you buy it! even on ebay, people like to sell you blacklisted phones or phones with a new covering, yet damaged. if you dont wanna go the expensive route and not looking for the smartphone features, just get a regular phone. you can still find them cheap and in good shape but mind you, even the new alltel PREPAID phones that also just came out WONT work for our grandfathered plans because those phones came out AFTER we split officially.

megan

{ 11/03/2010 }

drew,
Hi, I've been reading these and it sounds like you know what you're talking about so I have a question for you. I recently bought a blackberry curve off ebay and tried to get it activated by phone but the alltel rep told me that I can't use blackberrys or smartphones with prepaid. I then mailed it back after I was told that and have been without a phone for two weeks because I am having trouble trying to find a phone that is not too expensive for me online (I'm a college student) and one that works for alltel prepaid. I don't really want a very old phone yet I don't need one with all the data. Do you have any suggestions of what kind to get and where to get it? (like any websites you know of?)

Guest

{ 11/03/2010 }

Drew,
Great explanations, thank you so so much, you are awesome. You're definitely my Service Rep, ha-ha, someone who can be HONESTLY try to help others, way to go, God bless you my friend. By the way, the phone is Lg Rhythm, this model has been out for couple of years already, I had an Lg Rhythm in the past, but it broke down so I just purchase a new one from Ebay, so I assume it is the same model and it will work, but come to my surprise, Verizon did not recognize that phone, so I'm out of luck. I have just purchase at ebay an Alltel BB Pearl 8130, and will try to activate it today, cross my finger and pray it will accept that phone, or else I'm going to be very mad. Again, thank you very much for all your wonderful help and time. Best wish to you my friend. Oh, just wonder if you know these phones will work or not for Alltel plan, since the Verizon Rep give me this list:
Verizon: Lg cosmo, lg vx9400, lg env2, lg chocolate, lg Venus, Verizon wireless razzle, motorola rival, samsung alias, samsung trance, samsung intensity.

Are all of the above will be compatible to Alltel prepaid?

Drew

{ 11/02/2010 }

Giess, sounds like youre trying to activate a phone i mentioned that wasnt allowed. what phone/model is it? none of the new(er) alltel phones that just came out will work, (or atleast to my knowledge- because i tested them all) beCAUSE.. when those phones came out, the NEW alltel and verizon are two separate companies. everyone thinks that alltel got consumed completely by verizon BUT thats not all true. YES a big majority of alltel did get bought out by verizon, but there ARE still a few areas where they still exist. kinda like they went from a major company and got knocked down to a little "town" company. the reason why the older phones work is because before verizon bought out alltel, we had to use alltel phones and when they bought us out they had to allow us to use our same phones which gave us the power to use any alltel phone (as well as a few of verizons phones) up untill the time the two companies split apart. so the reason why you cant use those new alltel phones that JUST came out is because were no longer a part of alltel, so those phones arent welcomed to us. we get to use the older ones when verizon bought us out but only the phones up untill that final cut. just like our "alltel" plans are grandfathered to those plans of back then and were not able to have those new alltel prepaid plans. not unless youre in those areas where alltel still exists.

another reason why that phone may not work is because the ESN number may be blacklisted. either because the seller didnt pay the bill when they had that phone, its still tied to a contract, listed as "lost or stolen", or etc. so its always important to verify the phones ESN number befORE you buy it. just a heads up though, DONT call customer service to put a smartphone on your prepaid plan. theyll tell you all kinds of everything and wont do it for you even though they can. just go in your online profile and put the ESN number in there and they system will do it for you or dial *22898 from that phone. from now on IM your customer service rep, aight? lol

Tamper.. any blackberry i mentioned will work. theres a few reasons why i get the web/data free all day and doesnt use my minutes (even when my minutes are done its still free to use data/web) but i havent pin pointed that yet. its 4 or 5 different reasons why and i think 1 of 2 is the answer.

Giess

{ 11/02/2010 }

Drew,
I have a problem about an Alltel phone that I have just purchase for replacement to my Alltel Prepaid Plan. When I call to activate, the Verizon Rep told me that the ESN on this Alltel phone was not recognize in their system, therefore; the phone can not be use. Do you have any idea how/what happen that the actual Alltel phone is not able to activate? Is there away I can have the ESN correct so the Verizon system will recognize the code? Your reply are sincerely appreciate.

Tamper

{ 10/27/2010 }

Drew may i ask what blackberry model you currently have and how you managed the all day free web/data? Thanks for your help! My email is cameronhauser@gmail.com

Drew

{ 10/27/2010 }

hey Alchemist. dont worry about smartphone feature charges of ANY kind. it WILL work and will only act on your prepaid plan. get your alltel smartphone. activate it from your online profile or by dialing *22898. after it activated, everything works the way it should as if you had a smartphone plan. web or anything data is charged by the minute, so if you have unlimited nights and weekends, its free. during the day itll use your minutes. even if you dont access data or web, SOME phones will still consume your minutes if you dont turn the data setting off during the day. why is that? because a smartphone is always communicating and synchronizing with the network. having a contracted smartphone plan gives you unlimited data but were on prepaid so you will feel the pinch if you dont turn that data setting off during the day!

I have a brand new blackberry, pay $20 a month for my plan. i get unlimited nights and weekends and unlimited text. i can add the unlimited mobile to mobile and unlimited favorite number any time i want. data is also unlimited for me on this blackberry ALL day every day. i can use the browser in the phone, any blackberry apps, download, upload, connect it to my laptop as a modem as im doing now- all free. doesnt use my day minutes. lot of great features for $20 a month so who needs a contract?? not me!

if im doing it, youre guaranteed itll work.

Alchemist

{ 10/27/2010 }

Many thanks to you, Drew. I'm so glad I ask you first or else I would end up with Verizon Blackberry Pearl 8130 and end up with Verizon plan, so I just can't thank you enough for your expertise. Sorry to bothering you again, but may I ask you one last time for sure about the BB Pearl on Alltel prepaid account. I can use the BB with pay per minute and just be charge for minutes of usage or I can just turn the Data feature off and not have to pay anything, is this correct? Again, many many thanks for your help.

Drew

{ 10/27/2010 }

Alchemist, the 8130 will work but it has to be the alltel version only. The verizon smartphones didn't use to work BUT now they do and will, even with our alltel numbers. The trick to that though is if you activate a verizon smartphone, it'll require that you change your grandfathered alltel plan to one of verizons prepaid plans. So stick with the alltel phones. If you switch to the verizon plan, there's no turning back. You'll loose your alltel benefits forever.

When you hear the term "unlocked" it usually means a phone that uses a sim card and is a part of the GSM network, meaning at&t or t-mobile (American) or any other GSM provider. BUT our phones (CDMA carriers such as alltel, verizon, sprint) can also be a part of that "unlocked" term too because smartphones such as a few of the blackberries, htc, etc also is tri and quad band capable, which allows you to put a sim card in and use another carrier besides alltel or verizon that's a GSM provider. My blackberry is quad band capable and is unlocked but I don't use it with a GSM provider, though I could if I wanted. So- ya, an unlocked phone will also work BUT it still has to be an alltel phone.

Alchemist

{ 10/27/2010 }

Drew,
You had mention about Rim Blackberry Pearl 8130 that will be compatible for Alltel Prepaid account. Can you verify for me if the Rim Blackberry Pearl 8130 must be Alltel phone or can it be a Rim Blackberry Pearl 8130 Verizon phone? Also, when some phone mention it was unlocked, is that mean it will work for any carrier? Any explanation you can give me are sincerely appreciate.

Guest

{ 10/25/2010 }

Thank you Drew, glad to discover this site. It's really a big help since all the Rep. just run me around. Again, thanks!

Drew

{ 10/25/2010 }

Hey. Both phones would work on your prepaid account and they both give you the option to turn data off.

Guest

{ 10/25/2010 }

Drew,
You had mention that blackberry Pearl Flip have feature that enable the user to turn off data, also you mention Palm Treo Pro. Can you tell me if Palm Treo 700WX and Alltel Blackberry Pearl 8130 will have the same feature with turn off feature for the DATA and if they are compatible for Alltel Prepaid account? Thank you for your expertise.

Drew

{ 10/20/2010 }

the LG 8575 touch wont work. the other LG touch that has the slide out keyboard will. the evoke is a "mistake" of a phone. its processor is weak and is why the overall performance of that phone isnt good at all. you cant even tether it to your laptop as a modem. so just forget about that one.

you will be charged by the minute of data you use because were (ex)alltel and thats the way they charge for data. we dont get charged by the megabite. so... if you use it at night, itll be free because you have unlimited nights and weekends. i get data free all day and night and it doesnt use my minutes. even if my minutes are done, its still free data for me.

id say get a blackberry or the LG touch that has the slide out keyboard. the palm treo pro is good too. oh... you cant have data turned off on your plan because thats a standard feature. if anything, youd have to turn it off in the phone. blackberry gives you that feature. when i had my old blackberry, i got charged for data during the day so id go to that option and turn data off till it was nights and weekends. the new blackberry curve 8530 wont work either. blackberry pearl flip will.

Guest

{ 10/20/2010 }

Drew will you verify this phone (LG AX8575 Touch)for me, and also do have any information about Motorola Evoke qa4 that you could give me a hand on why it is such a slow respond phone. Btw, the Verizon Rep. told me that if I'm using any Smartphone on my prepaid plan, I will be charge for the minutes when the phone go into update mode itself even when I have ask to Block Data Web from my account, is this true? Is all smartphone will go into Update Mode itself when the phone think it needs to be update? Please help explain this to me one more time. I sincerely appreciate your kindness in help answer my questions.

Drew

{ 10/20/2010 }

not a prob, glad to help. i have a blackberry and like them because theyre a good brand (for alltel) and because my data is free, im staying with it reguardless. the htc touch and the htc hero wont work so dont get those. any of the older alltel phones will work. i think its kinda a "merger" thing, when verizon took over, we are banned from using those newer phones that just came out, im assuming. a few of the new ones i havent tested yet. so make your pick of whichever one you like. or if youre in doubt, you can tell me what phone and i can give you the scoop on it

alchemist

{ 10/20/2010 }

Drew, thank you very much for your explanations, it's a big help to hear from some one who knows, the Rep. are not helpful at all. Do you have any phone in mind that you can recommend? I had just purchase a Motorola Evoke, but it's not any good, it is very slow in respond, so if you have one you can suggest, it will be very helpful to me. I sincerely appreciate very much for your time and help!

Drew

{ 10/19/2010 }

if youre a grandfathered alltel prepaid customer that got taken over by verizon, you CAN use mostly any alltel smartphone. i say mostly and not all because some of the new ones that just came out wont work. you can also use a few of verizons phones but i wouldnt go there because id have to give you a heads up on which ones will work but i have tested a few and they did activate. if you do access anything data during the day, you will get charged by the minute for it but its free at night using your unlimited nights and weekends. i have a blackberry and im able to use data free all day and it doesnt charge me. infact at this moment, i have no money on my account and data is still free. whether its connecting to the internet with my laptop (phone as modem- right now), using the browser in the phone, blackberry apps of any kind... all free (for me). even if i had money on my phone, all data is still free. my other alltel phones did charge me for data use during the day though and when my minutes expired, all data stopped. also, as (ex) alltel customers, our data is billed as minutes and not by the MB.

get on your account profile from online and put the ESN number change there. if you dont have an online profile, create one. or from the alltel phone, dial *22898 and itll do it like that too.

dont even bother to call customer service for your smartphone questions or concerns because youre always gonna get the answer of "no". ask me instead

Alchemist

{ 10/19/2010 }

Can any one tell me which Alltel (Smart) phone will work for my Alltel Prepaid (Pay per Minute and Pay per Day) plan? If I access Data, will I be charge for the minutes on my Pay per Day with unlimited night & weekend? Since Alltel and Verizon merge, everytime I call to ask about the Smart phone to use with my plan, the Rep. told me I can't use any Smart phone, so if any one have any clue of Smart phone that will work with my plan, will you recommend it to me. Thanks!

butterfly

{ 10/14/2010 }

you can use any phone that was an alltel phone. Call Alltel and they will get the serial number off your phone and it will activate. I have a Moto 9c3 and it is a smart phone which eas an alltel before Verizon took over and I have prepaid $54.99 a month on it. The service is excellent. No problems, great service which runs off verizon towers. I would give Alltel service a 10 star rating.

Drew

{ 10/02/2010 }

Yes you can Chelsea. But you need to have an alltel prepaid account to do so. If you got taken over by verizon and you used to have alltel prepaid, you're still able to do it. Just do it on your own from your online profile or dial *22898 from the phone. Don't bother calling customer service so you won't get the run around

Chelsea

{ 10/01/2010 }

Hey do any one knw if i can change my pre-paid phone over to a blackberry?

Drew

{ 09/26/2010 }

hey Jen. it all depends if you got taken over by verizon or if youre still in an alltel area. if youre in an alltel area and lost your number and want a new one, they might charge you a fee for that unless they wave it. if youre in an area that verizon took over, youre out of luck getting another alltel number and would have to go with the verizon prepaid plans and they cost a lot vs alltel prepaid.

if you mean that you want that phone activated on your number, just do it online from your profile page if you have one. even if you got taken over by verizon, you can still activate an alltel phone on your number. but reguardless, just switching or swapping phones on an already existing number is free.

Jennifer

{ 09/25/2010 }

hey drew what can i do to reactivate my old alltel prepaid phone.... will it cost 35 dollars to reactivate?

alex

{ 09/14/2010 }

I'm not too happy to have a phone that doesn't make calls, But i can get them even though i have a prepaid plan it should work. This is getting to be a problem, I'm pay 75.00 dollars a month for services i can't use outside my home area.....

chocolate

{ 08/19/2010 }

u can use verizon but u have to let customer service do it or if there is a store like metro where u are thy do it and actually give u a 55 dollar credit to start

Ivan

{ 08/05/2010 }

Everything is back to normal. It fixed itself like we both thought would happen.

Drew

{ 08/05/2010 }

No prob man. How is it working today?

Ivan

{ 08/04/2010 }

yeah thats the same thing I was thinking. thanks though

Drew

{ 08/04/2010 }

i think verizon is doing something to the network because yesterday my moms phone was acting up too and i notice my signal drop and rise to full bars every so often. i also did a *22899 a few times and at one point last night it didnt go through but when it did i still had the same PRL. so its not you, its probly them messing with the network (theyre soon to release 4G so preparing for that and stuff). take your battery out and restart. other than that, let it ride. in a day or 2, do the *22899 again.

Ivan

{ 08/04/2010 }

My phone line is busy when someone calls me.

Ivan

{ 08/04/2010 }

It didn't work Drew. And also I can't check my balance by calling *369 anymore either

Drew

{ 08/04/2010 }

dial *22899 and let it re-update and see if that worked

Ivan

{ 08/04/2010 }

I have a problem. I have the samsung delve on my alltel prepaid account and everything was workin fine, but recently I stop recieving calls. I can make calls and send and recieve txts only. Can anybody help me? I thought about getting it a couple days to see what happens idk

Drew

{ 08/04/2010 }

hey Pam. i agree.. whoever didnt take a chunk out of alltel while they were still around must like to spend some $$. fortunately though, the shark (verizon rep) is right about being able to get a verizon phone and keep your alltel plan. but you can do it yourself from your verizon prepaid account. not all verizon phones will activate on our grandfathered alltel prepaid plans but few will. i tested 2 so far that i know will. BUT... why not just get an alltel branded smartphone or something? you may have not known but us ex-alltel peeps are able to use any alltel phone you wish, smartphone or regular. i recently found out though that the new touch screen alltel phones WONT work (excluding the samsung delve) including the htc snap and the samsung freedom. but all others WILL. dont know if you read already but i have a new alltel blackberry tour, have unlimited text and nights/weekends and data is unlimited and i pay $20 a month total (my 2 features @ .75 cent a day = $20 a month). if she wants to use the data features of the phone if its a smartphone she gets, i would recommend she gets the unlimited nights and weekends feature because thats the only way data is "free" or "unlimited". use it during the day and itll use your minutes..

any other questions, hit me up.

Pam

{ 08/03/2010 }

I loved ALLTEL!!!! Verizon prepaid plans just don't compare to the $.75/day we have for prepaid. HOWEVER, we have a problem. Daughter's VE465 Motorola is "going down" and she needs a replacement. Our two features she has is unlimited texting and free Alltel/verizon mobile to mobile. The dude I talked to at Verizon was not a lot of help w/what phone we could replace it with and still keep our Alltel plan. He said we could upgrade to a verizon phone and keep our Alltel prepaid plan. I'm not sure about that. Anyway, she'd like possibly a phone to do the web stuff if possible and not pay extra on our plan for it. Any ideas? Or, I think she's just be happy w/a replacement phone w/camera.

Drew

{ 07/23/2010 }

oh.. you say it mentions "data sessions". well if it says it by name then ya... its gonna charge because its set up the right way. i kill data daily with my blackberry and when i used to use my samsung phone and its not reported as data sessions... i guess is why its free. but still.. unlimited nights should be free..

Drew

{ 07/23/2010 }

thats weird.. even with my old regular phone, data was free at night because data is billed as minutes. what im concluding from what youre saying and from what i know- if the phone was pre set up with a contract, its correctly set up, so thats why its charging you. because my blackberry is brand new and i figure its why im getting it free due to the fact that its not provisioned the right way (for a contract). like when we activate it on our prepaid accounts, the system doesnt configure it correctly or doesnt know to configure the data side of it which equals free data. but then im not sure because my blackberry curve i used to have was set up on a contract before and data was still free at night..

unless its a blackberry only thing. but my old regular phone was a samsung and it was free at night. hmm.. i dont see how it would charge you guys though when data = minutes and you have unlimited nights. i even tested an LG regular phone and data is free at night too. im gonna soon buy a brand new smartphone other than a blackberry for my sis and test to see if its free.

Rob

{ 07/23/2010 }

Well, I thought that she wasn't going to get charged for nights and weekends, but I guess I was wrong. I checked her account & it's still charging her 10 cent/minute for "data sessions". I guess there is nothing we can do, but just use WiFi which is fine...I just tell her to shut her data off.

Drew

{ 07/22/2010 }

great to hear man, i was wondering how that was going. sorry to hear though that the data isnt unlimited like it is for me.. 1 out of 3 or 4 reasons is why. but reguardless, glad that it worked out for you Rob!

rob

{ 07/21/2010 }

Andrew-
Daughters Treo Pro arrived today and everything works like a gem! She was using up minutes during the day so I just had her turn off the data. She was using our home WiFi during the day and will be able to use her unlimited nights and weekends through the Alltel networks. Really sweet!
We travel a lot so it's going to be handy checking in for our flights using it instead of dragging out my laptop every where we go. THANKS A TON for all the help!

Rob

James

{ 07/18/2010 }

I was using Alltel prepaid before Vorizon bought them. The reception now is horrible and ive tried multiple phones and nothing changed and i have never had more dropped calls than i do with Alltel. I asked them to put up a tower in my area and they refused because Vorizon ownes most of their operations.

rob

{ 07/09/2010 }

That's exactly what I was thinking as far as calling in and asking data to be turned off.....no reason too and like you said, one reason for them to give me grief.

Drew

{ 07/09/2010 }

..no offense to him but cellgeek doesnt know what hes talking about. or atleast i never heard anything like that. were prepaid. theres no way for you to call in and have data turned off. its a standard feature. itll only charge you by the minute for using it during the day because you have unlimited nights and weekends. besides, if you call in, theyre gonna give you problems for having a smartphone. if you can have data turned off, what would be the reason for even having a smartphone? dont worry about it and dont let it bother you, its NOT an extra fee to pay and you wont get penalized for using it. on the blackberry, theres an option to turn data off and on whenever you like. i guess they did it like that because smartphones consume a lot of data and i know that a blackberry is constantly communicating/synchronizing with the network. before verizon bought us out, i used to have data turned off during the day so it wouldnt kill my minutes and then turn it back on at night. but as i mentioned before, this new blackberry data is free. im not 100% sure if its because i bought it brand new and it was never provisioned for a contract/blackberry plan and by me activating it, it completely bypasses all that or if its because its unlocked (it came factory unlocked so if i wanted to, i can put an at&t or t-mobile sim card in or any sim card and can use it besides using it as verizon/alltel). or if its because when verizon bought us out, that blackberry never existed for alltel yet, so by me having it, its completely unrecognized by the system. my regular cell charges data by the minute.

so ya, just go online and put in that ESN. dial *22899 and you should be good. no need for service books with any other device. im not sure if you use voicemail or not but THAT you can call in to turn off, if you want. i know the code to dial to have it turned off but since verizon took over, some alltel codes dont work. just tell customer service to turn voicemail off and itll save some $$$.

rob

{ 07/09/2010 }

Andrew-

We went with the Treo Pro. It's on it's way and I'll be activating/registering it once it gets here.

So, I'll go on to our Verizon online account and change devices & put in the new ESN for the Treo. Then I'll dail *22899. That should be it right?

I know CellGeek suggested calling Verizon and demand that data be turned off.
I should probably wait to see if my data works first then call IF it is charging me correct?

Thanks again for your help, I'll let you know how the Treo works.

Drew

{ 07/07/2010 }

the HTC mogul would work but just know that its an older phone. id go with the treo out of the two for the fact that its newer and packed with features. the treo is touch screen, has wifi, is EVDO rev.A, etc.

rob

{ 07/07/2010 }

I found a couple of others that my daughter is interested in....another Palm Treo Pro and a HTC 6800 Mogul. Any knowledge on either of those? I was leaning toward the Treo, but she seem to like the Mogul.

Drew

{ 07/07/2010 }

ya... whoever wrote that saying the 8330 has wifi is wrong. for more info on the alltel branded phones, check em out on the alltel website. you cant go wrong there. i wouldnt get that samsung i910 either because alltel never had that phone. whoever is selling it either is confused or trying to make money from a "flashed" phone. if it doesnt say alltel on it, it wont work. i was just looking at that same phone the other day. i bought my blackberry tour brand new still in plastic from ebay. great phone! theyre still selling them. i did also buy the alltel LG touch brand new- should be here tomorrow or day after. gift for someone. the seller only had 3 and i took the last one. certain phones you can not find, but when you do, get it quick!

ks_chem_guy

{ 07/06/2010 }

BTW, do you know much about the Samsung SCH-i910?

I was thinking about exchanging my daughters Blackberry for this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Samsung-SCH-i910-OMNIA-Alltel-Cell-CDMA-/390216176401?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Cell_Phones&hash=item5adab25311

Rob

ks_chem_guy

{ 07/06/2010 }

Ya I'm sure I did something along the way the messed it up. Thanks for all the help. As far as the Treo goes, we didn't get it. It was the Blackberry or the Treo and we went with the Blackberry.

I purchased the Blackberry with a 30 day money back guarantee & in the description the store said that the 8330 WAS WiFi capable which I know now is not true. So I believe we are going to be returning it and trying a different phone and once again try to get the free data.....especially if I can get one with WiFi.

I let you know if I run into any problems with it.

Thanks
Rob

Andrew

{ 07/04/2010 }

Rob sorry it didnt work for you man. too bad i cant do it myself for you. it worked for me on my old alltel blackberry curve and this new alltel blackberry tour. not doubting you didnt try what i said but i bet a small mistake is to blame.

ya, youre not gonna be able to register it on the alltel blackberry site and have the service books pushed to it because youre prepaid and dont have BIS or BES on the account. those are contract paid services. there are ways to have the service books put on manually and will have the features working the same way but again, youd have to do it through desktop manager. i got GPS, over the air provisioning update, etc working like that. everything demands a servicebook on a blackberry. with that said though, out of the box brand new, i didnt need to have any service books to have free data or to load up opera mini or anything.

by the way, how is your daughters palm treo working out? im gonna buy a brand new LG chocolate touch soon for someone as a gift. ill still stick around for further help, just let me know.

ks_chem_guy

{ 07/03/2010 }

Man, I have tried everything and still no go. I tried downloading the opera mini multiple times w/ multiple versions and the desktop manager will not recognize it as a compatible program for this device.

I saw one website that suggested registering at my Blackberry Web Client website and have my Internet Browser Service Books sent to me. I did not do that as I figured I'd need a paid data plan. Man, I'm frustrated at this point.

Thanks again for you help, I'll keep trying....
Have a great 4th!
Rob

Andrew

{ 07/03/2010 }

one other thing i remembered was to dial ##000000 (6 zeros) and press green button. make sure your SIP User ID is your number@bb.alltel.net and if thats right, for the SIP password, put in "alltel" and click menu button and click save. the phone will restart. did you make sure youre running the lastest update? you should be running 5.0

to get opera mini to load, you need to load from the website and save it on your computer somewhere. go in desktop manager and click on Application Loader. click add/remove applications, go all the way down to the bottom of that list and see if opera mini is down there and if it is, select it to load it. if its not down there, click browse and select the location of where you saved it and then load it up like that. im not sure if all up to date versions of desktop manager has the modem option in it, but mine has it. if it does, you can set up the phone as modem right there. or i also use verizon access manager and it also controls the phone. the origional browser is gonna be missing on the blackberry because it knows that you are prepaid and took that service book away. but as i mentioned, you really dont even need it because opera mini does that same thing

ks_chem_guy

{ 07/03/2010 }

Andrew-
I've tried all those steps. I originally registered the phone online and then did the *228. I went back and re-programed with te *22899. Downloaded desktop manager and synched. Took battery out and re-booted. I am getting capitals 1XEV. Still nothing. My browser is not even showing up on the desktop.

I thought maybe the browser is missing so I tried downloading mini opera as you suggested; however, when I try to load the mini opera application via desktop manager the manager tells me that there are no available programs to add. Is there any other way of getting the mini opera on my blackberry without using desktop manager or I am doing something wrong?
Thanks again for all your help.
Rob

Andrew

{ 07/02/2010 }

also, go to options, advanced options, host routing table, click menu button and click "register now"

Andrew

{ 07/02/2010 }

hmm... when you activated it, did you dial *22899? try that. that one is known to turn data "ON" on your plan or activate the data settings/a smartphone. when i was still "alltel", everything worked perfect for me the first time around. and though verizon took us over, its still working exactly the same, infact better than when i activated it when we were alltel. im trying to think of other pointers... you may wanna download desktop manager and synchronize the blackberry so it updates to the latest version.

...

also, a work around to the browser is to download opera mini. its better than the origional blackberry browser and is a work around to having to install service books thatll bring it up on the phone. do you see the signal saying 1XEV in capital letters or 1xev? if its in lowercase letters, reguardless of you having the data feature on from the options, that means the network has your data turned off. let me know if that works or not.

ks_chem_guy

{ 07/02/2010 }

Andrew-
Need a little help. Activated my daughters Blackberry Curve 8330, but can not connect to internet or send data. Have data options on....is there any trick to this?

Andrew

{ 06/29/2010 }

hey cc. what are you needing that you want the service books?

cc

{ 06/29/2010 }

okay andrew I have been following your reply for ages and everything works but how do I add service books step by step because I have a curve on alltel and I can not get right

ks_chem_guy

{ 06/27/2010 }

Sweet. Thanks again!

Andrew

{ 06/27/2010 }

yup, ANY alltel branded phone WILL work for us, including data cards. Verizon stuff WONT work (unless its 1 or 2 of the regular prepaid phones). dont worry about having a data plan or anything, were prepaid so we couldnt get that anyways. for us, data is taken out by the minute so reguardless of your use, itll just be using your minutes. when youre using unlimited nights and weekends, its free of course. for ME.. its not charging me at all and im using data all day. one of my old alltel prepaid cells, it charged me by the minute for data during the day, but with this blackberry, its all free.

ks_chem_guy

{ 06/26/2010 }

Andrew, thanks for the reply and the info. I found a Palm Treo Pro on eBay that is an Altell phone for my daughter..I was a little hesitant to buy it, but since you say ANY Altell phone will work, I'll take your word. Any Verizon Blackberry should work as well correct? I found a really nice one with WiFi so she can access the web without using the data plan (if we were to be charged)
Thanks again for all your help!

Rob

Andrew

{ 06/26/2010 }

sup everyone. havent posted on here in a long time but im back to answer a few questions. im also on a grandfathered alltel prepaid plan and i have unlimited nights and weekends and unlimited text which equals out to $20 a month. verizon bought us out but we ARE still able to activate ANY alltel phone or device on our now verizon plan (because were still using alltel systems techincally). before the merge with verizon, i was using an alltel blackberry curve. im now using a brand new alltel blackberry tour and am NOT getting charged to use anything data capable on it. i get to use full EVDO rev.A and its not using my minutes. its great because i use it as a modem for my laptop, i listen to pandora on it, use the browser, etc and i dont get charged anything. the best of both worlds (verizon service and alltel smartphone). hit me up if you have any other questions, i know a lot about this stuff!

ks_chem_guy

{ 06/26/2010 }

CellGeek or anyone else who might know.

My daughter is on the old Alltel pay-by-day. She has unlimited text, & nights and weekends for 75 cents a day. Her phone is going out & wanted to know if a Blackberry Curve would work without the data plan. I've heard conflicting stories, but I'm guessing as long as we call to turn off data with Verizon it should work fine.

Thanks in advance!!!

keyami

{ 06/14/2010 }

i have alltel and itz o.k. i guess.i have the new unlimited plan for 55 a month and it is great. but the only thing i dont like is that when you go onto the web the want you to buy a 1.99 day pass or a 5.99 month pass and i dont understand why when everything is supposed to be unlimited. so really you get everything unlimited but the web and i hate it. but as far as service goes its perfect ive been with them for about 4 years and ive only lost a call about 3 or 4 times and im way in alabama.

CellGeek

{ 06/02/2010 }

To put a blackberry or any variable smart phone on a pre-paid plan, make sure you first call your prepaid company and demand that all data be shut off on your account. This allows your blackberry data phone to be on a non-data plan and not have your phone racking up minutes due to data charges. Than go to (EX. Alltel U Prepaid) website, and put your blackberry on here. Now you want to get really technical you can just get a phone with wifi, now that datas off your phone will download only at home bases IE WIFI HOTSPOTS. This does not incure data charges and lets you have a smartphone on a prepaid plan with all avail features!

gabrielle

{ 05/12/2010 }

it will not let you bluetooth songs from different peoples...so sad

Brendan

{ 04/25/2010 }

MY activation won't start and i called *228 and every other # too

Ryan

{ 04/13/2010 }

They make it hard to get support for your phone. They leave you with the automated system, and expect you to know how to fix it.

Huskerboy

{ 03/31/2010 }

Can I use a verizon phone with my alltel prepaid account.

Jay

{ 03/28/2010 }

Anyone looking for a Great Plan Should check out Page Plus , they use the same service as Alltel (Verizon Towers) And It's $39.95 Unlimited Talk & Text Every month

RIDGE

{ 03/19/2010 }

I JUST RECEIVED MY ALLTEL BLACKBERRY CURVE N ACTIVATED ON MY PREPAID ACCOUNT ONLY PROBLEMS IS I DONT HAVE INTERNET BROWSER.IT JUST SAYS YOUR DEVICE DOES NOT HAVE BROWSER CONFIGURATION SERVICE BOOK ENTIRES.SO DOES ANYBODY KNOW HOW I CAN DO THIS W/O CALLING ALLTEL

cody

{ 03/13/2010 }

can anyone tell me how to get the browser service books

dee

{ 03/09/2010 }

@ Ivan you can activate a smart phone on an pre paid plan reason being that the phone has to have an data plan

Ivan

{ 03/01/2010 }

Someone plz help me. how would i start the process of activating my blackberry 8830 or 8330 on alltel prepaid?

Kevin

{ 02/23/2010 }

I recently bought an Alltel prepaid card and my phone was damaged before I could use it. My sister gave me her old Verizon prepaid phone. Can I use the alltell prepaid card with the verizon phone

Eunice

{ 02/22/2010 }

Alltell prepaid really sucks,they make you think you'll only pay about $23, but in reality, if you talk a lot, you'll probably be paying something like $80/month.

I found their staff very friendly and nice, but I had to leave Alltell prepaid after a month cos I couldn't take it anymore.

SHERYL

{ 02/14/2010 }

Ok i need help im not 30 yet and i am so lost i guess i stayed with one carrier to long now im moving and i need a different phone noticing alltel is more service able where im going i need help i want to buy the u pre paid plans and i want to buy a Samsung Delve SCH-R800 and while doing this i want to know what all do i have to go through to get the phone to work on my prepaid account i really need help i believe theres no dumb question but i might be abusing the privilege thank you forum i did learn some things but still need answers to stuff like this thank you very much

Preston

{ 02/11/2010 }

I have an alltel U prepaid plan with an LG scoop but it broken so i was wondering if i get an Blackberry curve or an Motorola Q can i just do an esn change and still have the same service?

Cryssy

{ 02/03/2010 }

Hi everyone. I'm on the Alltel U Prepaid plan, but I really want a new phone. Is it possible for me to do that without having to make a complete switch over to Verizon? I like the plan that I have now, I just want a new phone though. Thanks to anyone for their help.

vanelly

{ 01/31/2010 }

I AM BEING CHARGED FOR USING AND NOT USING MY PHONE I HAD 23.00 BUCKS IN MY PHONE AND IT WAS GONE RIGHT AWAY IT SUCKS AND IM ONLY 13 I HATE ALLTEL SO MUCH

lynn

{ 01/28/2010 }

they told me my phone could not be prepaid moto q

Tiffani King

{ 01/27/2010 }

I had alltel pre paid and i always got charge for the pic messages and it suck!!!!!! now i am stright talk and i got free everything... its a better plan i only pay $45 a month thats not bad!!!!!

Johnny Two Saints

{ 01/19/2010 }

Brittanni,

If your being charged for data and you have a blackberry you have to turn off data services.

Go to Manage Connections>Movile Network Options>Data Services> Turn Off

That should do it

Eldricia

{ 01/03/2010 }

I LOVE YOU ALLTEL!!

carla moore

{ 01/03/2010 }

alltel reput voicemail on my cell and i dont want it

Jacquie

{ 12/31/2009 }

ALLTEL DOES SUCK. NOT ONLY IS THEIR SERVICE TERRIBLE> SO ARE THE EMOLOYEES. when I asked for a phone # to call to return my phone . THEY gave me some filthy sex # to call . # 1-800-825-5460, guess they thought this was cute , since I am a 73 year old woman. Anyway their service is terrible,I could not even get my voice mail set up .They said that Sprint was now my voice mail service and it would cost me .15cents for each voice mail that I received. Also said if I returned my phone there was no money to be returned to me.In other words I am screwed for using. Never again. I can hardly wait to discontinue my service

Brittanni

{ 12/23/2009 }

I still havent been able to fix things i've read all the reviews and to no avail. i had 42 dollars on my account and its all gone now because of web charges and i havent even used it plz help me

BRITTANNI

{ 12/21/2009 }

WELL IM TRYING TO DOWNLOAD THE BLACKBERRY SOFTWARE FIRST SO THAT THE COMPUTER RECOGNIZES THE PHONE AND WILL LET ME SYNC OPERA MINI TO IT BUT WHENEVER ITS THROUGH DOWNLOADING AND I OPEN IT IT JUST MAKES THE COMPUTER FREEZE. ANY SUGGESTIONS?

Earl Thomas

{ 12/21/2009 }

Read my Past Comments And it will tell you...

Brittanni

{ 12/20/2009 }

I REALLY HOPE ANDREW OR SOMEONE CAN REALLY BE OF HELP. I LIVE IN STATESBORO. LUCKILY VERIZON AND ALLTEL HAVENT MERGED HERE...YET!! HOPE THEY DONT I TOOK UR ADVICE TO SET UP MY BLACKBERRY AND FINALLY I CAN MAKE CALLS AND SEND TEXTS. NOW I WANT TO KNOW HOW TO USE MY WEB AND EVERYTHING PLZ PLZ HELP!!!

Earl Thomas

{ 12/15/2009 }

OKAY I BELIEVE YOU BUT FOR NOW WE STILL ALLTEL...

Calcio

{ 12/14/2009 }

Shawnaa87:How did it go for you?I would like to know.Were you able to activate your phone by what I told you? I hope you did.Please respond. Calcio

Earl Thoams

{ 12/13/2009 }

YES YOU CAN GET A MOTO Q ON PREPAID AND YOU DONT NEED ANY SERVICE BOOKS EVERYTHING WORKS. AND TRY TO MANUAL PROGRAM YOUR BLACKBERRY!!!

Cody

{ 12/11/2009 }

I have a question that hopefully someone will be able to answer..I have been an Alltel U Prepaid customer before Verizon took over, and I still have my same daily rate and everything. I'm looking to purchase a used Alltel Motorola Q to activate on my plan. Will I be able to do this?

Calcio

{ 12/11/2009 }

How do I get data back on my Blackberry?My phone is only showing 1x.It still shows that even after I did the *22899 update. Calcio

EARL THOMAS

{ 12/11/2009 }

HA HA I GOT IT!!!!! GO TO.http://www.bbgeeks.com/quick-tips/what-is-a-service-book-what-is-a-host-routing-table-881448/ AND THERES STEPS TO RESETTING YOUR SERVICE BOOKS.. AND GUESS WHAT FREE INTERNET:) DAM ALLTEL SHOULD HAVE ME WORK FOR THEM!!!

EARL THOMAS

{ 12/11/2009 }

YOU NEED NO BOOKS!!!! ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IZ CALL YOU COSTUMER SERVICE REP AND SAY YOU WANT TO PURCHASE A 30 DAY ALL ACXESS PASS. AND AS FOR VERIZON THERE SYSTEM IZ MORE COMPLEX SO I HAVE NO IDEA. I AM 13 LIVING IN STATESBORO AND I ACTIVATE MY BLACKBERRY CURVE ON THE FIRST TRY AND IT WAS FULLY FUNTIONAL. EVERYTHING WORKS ON MINE BUT THE NAVAGATION. AND YES I HAVE A STOLEN DISPLAY PHONE.

Calcio

{ 12/11/2009 }

Does anyone know if Andrew is still out there?I guess I need to be able to get data working on my blackberry phone and the missing service books.Sorry Earl Thomas,that *22899 idea didn't change anything for my blackberry.It did take the roaming signal I was getting,off of my Samsung flip phone. God bless, Calcio

Amanda

{ 12/10/2009 }

If you read what Andrew said, he already explained all of that. It will no longer work that way because verizon took basically everyone over already. And if youre the few that still have Alltel, makes no sense to even do that because the ones verizon didn't take over will either be merged to AT&T or ATN wireless. You'll be wasting your money buying a new smartphone. He knows his stuff.

Calcio

{ 12/10/2009 }

Thanks,Earl Thomas,I'll try that.Do you know if I'll still have the service books I need to have internet access.I have 2 alltell/verizon accounts.The first has just a flip phone on it.The second has my blackberry curve on it,already activated,I can only text and make phone calls on it. Andrew, in a previous post on this forum,said that the service books are taken away when you activate the phone.

Earl Thomas

{ 12/10/2009 }

IF YOUR ON U-PREPAID YOU CAN ACTIVATE ANY SMARTPHONE. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IZ MAKE AN ONLINE ALLTEL ACOUNT. THEN ONCE YOU DO GO TO THE OPTION PHONE ON ENTER THE NEW ESN. THE REASON WHY THE DATA WONT WORK IZ BECUASE YOUR DALLING THE WRONG THING. THE ACTIVATION FOR SMARTPHONES ARE *22899. AND THE INTERNET WILL WORK. MY AUNTIE WORKS AT ALTEL AND I HAVE A BLACKBERRY CURVE ON PREPAID. MY SISTER HAS AN HTC TOUCH ON 75 CENT A DAY AND MY MAMA HAS AN PLAM PRO. SO IT CAN BE DONE.AND BE SURE WHEN YOU CALL YOUR COSTEMER REPESENATIVE DON'T TELL THEM YOU HAVE A BLACKBERRY BUY. OH YES AND DID I TELL YOU IM COMENTING FROM MY BRAND NEW BLACKBERRY CURVE(RED). I HOPE THIS HELP BYE :)

Calcio

{ 12/07/2009 }

Shawnaa87:On your Blackberry,click on the options icon,scroll down to "status"and click on that.That screen shows you signal strength,battery life,File Free,Pin,MEID(dec),MEID(hex).the last two items are ESN numbers.Enter in the MEID(hex) number.It's letters and numbers.Let me know what you find out. God bless,Calcio

Shawnaa87

{ 12/07/2009 }

where else should i look?

Calcio

{ 12/07/2009 }

Shawnaa87:You're looking in the wrong place for the number you need to enter.The ESN you should be entering has letters and numbers in it.Not the ESN that only contains numbers.

Shawnaa87

{ 12/07/2009 }

There is only one set of numbers that says ESN and its strictly numbers/no letters.
There are other sequnces of numbers but i didnt know what they meant?

Calcio

{ 12/07/2009 }

Shawnaa87,It may be you are putting in the wrong ESN number.Are you putting in the right ESN number?

Shawnaa87

{ 12/07/2009 }

Once again i have tied o activate my BlackBerry and it wont let me.the ESN number is clean and when i go to do *228 it says incorrect code what else should i do?

Calcio

{ 12/05/2009 }

John 2009/11/01, Did you get info on where and how to download the generic service books for your blackberry and how to add them to the phone using the desktop manager?Could you please tell me how and what you did?Thanks, God bless,Calcio

Calcio

{ 12/04/2009 }

Hi Shawnaa87,I have two alltel accounts,they are both verizon accounts now.My blackberry is a verizon phone and my other phone is an alltel samsung flip phone.Both phones are active.When I was trying to activate my blackberry,it wouldn't activate.So,when I was notified by email that the phone number that my samsung was on,was going to be switched over to verizon(they told me an exact date)I tried activating the blackberry.It did it on the first try.Now,I was notified by regular mail(this was before I was sent the email)via letter,obviously,that my alltel account would be switching over in my area(there was no exact date given in this letter),that's when I tried activating my blackberry numerous times,with always the same result,which was a phone message that would tell me,"sorry but we're unable to activate at this time.So,for the heck of it,I went ahead and activated my Samsung under the other acount(phone number).Well,that worked also.I'm telling you this because if both of my phones were either verizon only or alltel only,then I would think that your phone not being able to activate,would be because it's an alltel phone.Well,I don't think that's the case here.Ironically,Shawna is the name of the person I bought my blackberry from. ;) Calcio

Shawnaa87

{ 12/04/2009 }

My account is fully a verizon account. Thats where i login to pay. The phone i am trying to activate is an alltel blackberry. because i currently have the lg scoop by alltel.its a run around. so i went to do *228 and it says code incorrect and then it says on the screen activation incomplete.

Calcio

{ 12/04/2009 }

Shawnaa87,Is your blackberry a verizon blackberry?If so,did you make sure the ESN is clear?Are you sure your alltel account is definitely now a verizon account?Please read my review from 10/31/09.Read my previous reviews also.Please keep me informed about this. God bless, Calcio

Shawnaa87

{ 12/04/2009 }

So it wouldnt work... :( so i have a blackberry and i did the activation with the ESN number but when it came to do step number 2 (the *228 and press option 1) it kept saying activation incomplete.. someone pls help i have a 'dead blackberry ..'

Calcio

{ 12/04/2009 }

Shawnaa87,I hope it goes well for you.Make sure you activate it through your alltel/verizon online account online,so you won't be charged the activation charge.If you go to verizon to activate it,there's a good chance they won't activate it without you having to buy one of their blackberry plans.I would suggest making sure the ESN number of the phone is clear.You can do that by going to a verizon store and only asking them that,(you may even be able to do that by calling them,I'm not sure about that though)and tell them you are not sure if you want to activate it yet,or they may try to talk you into a blackberry plan or charge you an activation fee or even tell you you can't have a blackberry as a prepaid phone.There are more reviews to look at to help you,then just on this first page.Above the last comment on this page,you will see in blue"See the rest of the 276 Alltel Prepaid customer reviews"link,click on that to see more info for your blackberry being prepaid.Let us know what happens or give us any questions,hopefully Andrew's still out there to help us with whatever. God bless,Calcio

Shawnaa87

{ 12/04/2009 }

Thanks Calico,
I get my phone today. I will let you know how it goes.

Calcio

{ 12/02/2009 }

Shawnaa87,Yes,you should be able to.I have a Blackberry curve and right now I'm using it for just texting and talking and only pay $1.00 a day.Read Andrew's forums on here about this,he was a huge help for us with Blackberrys.I wonder where he's been?I still need info about using internet for my curve.Do that first,let us know if you need anymore understanding or clarification about any of it. Calcio

Shawnaa87

{ 12/02/2009 }

I hope someone can also tell me how to go abt activating my new phone from Ebay?

Shawnaa87

{ 12/01/2009 }

I am having to buy a replacement phone because my phone (LG scoop) is broken. So I purchased the Blackberry8703e. I have had my prepaid account with alltel for over a yr and a half and we were just recently changed over to verizon. i was wondering if i could still change my phone over to the blackberry when i receive it...Verizon told me they wasnt sure try again later.. Please shed some light. PS--I do not want internet i just want text and talk.

Calcio

{ 11/24/2009 }

Andrew....Are you still with this forum.Please respond.You've been a great big help in the past.I still need to know what I need to do to get opera mini to work.John(from 11/01/2009 post),did you get info on how to get the generic service books back on your blackberry?

John

{ 11/23/2009 }

if i get a new phone and i want to keep all my stuff like my number do i have to pay the activation fee still

zachary lockwood

{ 11/22/2009 }

this phone was good at first when i got it but it only lasts 6 months never get the lg ax 155
ps the sevice was good keep alltel don't get the phone

Jessica King

{ 11/17/2009 }

I love allet

michael berry

{ 11/15/2009 }

its better than being stuck under a contract

Calcio

{ 11/08/2009 }

Andrew:Where can I see if the data feature is on?If its under"options" then under "mobile network":it's showing it as "on".I haven't been charged(I check my balance and minutes twice a day) and Its been on ever since I activated the BB.I don't see the phone say 1xev in lowercase or 1XEV that way anywhere.I assume you you mean I should see this on the front screen;what is there,is 1x(just as I typed it).I'm not seeing EVDO in any way either.I downloaded opera mini and it doesn't connect.I'm hoping it downloaded correctly;I assume it did,because opera mini will start to install when I click on it.Then it shows me:The application opera mini has attempted to access a low-level network connection.Would you like to allow this?It wants me to choose a yes or no.Either way I answer(I've done both),it asks me if I want to allow Opera mini to access server4.operamini.com.And again,either way I answer(I've done both),I get an error that says:Failed to connect to the internet:Go to http//www.operamini.com/help?version=4.2 with your desktop browser or contact your service provider for internet settings.What do I need to do?Do I need to download those service books?If so,as John recently asked,how?Thanks again for all your help.You've been a blessing,I hope you're ok or still with us here,haven't heard from you this week at all.I hope verizon didn't screw somthing up with your internet connection!
A few days ago,my other phone,an alltel,not my verizon BB,got switched to roaming.Now it's always on roaming.They're telling me that I'm not getting charged for it being on roaming,and that's true as far as it just being on roaming,however,I made a call i thought would be free,it was a 428(I assume alltel) phone number,I saw my bonus minitues plummit!I'm fightin' with verizon about that!One verizon rep insisted that I only get charged monetarily,not minutes.It seems some reps don't know how alltel prepaid worked compared to verizon prepaid.Verizon and I are not thru yet.Oh,and she also insisted that I didn't get charged for the call.I think she only looked at my monetary balance not subtracting.It seems she had no clue about my bonus minutes in any way!I'm dreading this take-over by verizon!

Shirley

{ 11/05/2009 }

The phone that I got does not work half the time and you all need more then expensive phones and ones that people can aford.

John

{ 11/01/2009 }

Andrew

Where can I download the generic service books? How doI add them to my phone using the BB desktop manager? When you say the data usage is free for the BB brower and messenger you mean on nights and weekends right? Oh and thanks for the instructions from before.

Andrew

{ 11/01/2009 }

Monique sorry to hear it didnt work for you still. I dont know what could be wrong unless that was a 'bad' phone. as i told you guys in other reviews, my verizon usb modem works on my prepaid account. when verizon took us over, i was still using my alltel blackberry. the next day everything data capable on my blackberry was disabled. i was only able to make calls and texts. knowing that my verizon usb modem works with my prepaid account, i knew any other verizon phone would also. Calcio cleared up that his blackberry now works too, but as he said his web browser doesnt. I mentioned he needs to load the generic blackberry service books for it to work again OR just get opera mini, a good smartphone web browser.

Dont be fooled- none of this is "hacked" software. and if we wanna say that it is, then your phone is "hacked", wheather t-mobile justifies it "ok" or not, because the blackberry storm wasnt MEANT for t-mobile in the first place. ..dont also forget that as a prepaid customer, YOU shouldnt have a blackberry in the first place (just clarifying stuff, no hard feelings).

I was going to get a verizon blackberry tour but seeing the blackberry storm2 just came out, I got that instead. this phone is cool!! but ya, the same as with the alltel blackberry and now my storm2, I entered the ESN hex. dialed *228 and it programed my phone the first time around. it DID delete the service books. but all I did was downloaded the generic service books and everything works just like with a contract! the blackberry browser, all the instant messengers, etc. and ALSO... the internet is FREE! its not charging me for data usage. I have no guilt because i even called verizon and the rep TOLD me that as a grandfathered alltel prepaid customer, data IS unlimited on my account. that explains why when with alltel, when our minutes ran out, web or internet would still be working. the generic service books made it possible to use that feature. why verizon would take it from us along with not allowing smartphone use, i have no idea. but as i said i called and asked and thats what i was told, so im using my features. $20 a month = unlimited nights and weekends, unlimited text and able to add unlimited mobile to mobile and unlimited favorite number, having a verizon usb modem AND a blackberry storm2! (can also be used as a modem for laptop)

as far as going to t-mobile, good luck. in my opinion, theyre worse than sprints coverage, and SPRINT is bad. i know verizon has its faults, but id rather have coverage. but as long as youre satisfied, cool. cause i am!! I hope i was able to help everyone in some way to benefit from the things i know and am able to do to get the best out of their prepaid service. see ya.

(p.s.- all a generic service book is, is an EXACT remake of the books that get taken away when you dial *228. all youre doing is putting them back on the phone..)

Andrew

{ 10/31/2009 }

no need for hacked software. its opera mini.. a known company.

Monique

{ 10/31/2009 }

Calcio, hey thanks for the comment. They notified me that they were changing both, my account and my area. So I waited until I could access my account on My Verizon...when I tried it, it still didn't work for me.

I've already switched to T-mobile. They sent me a sim card and remotely programmed my phone (They were completely aware that it was a Verizon phone) for the internet on their service.

I'm paying practically the same amount and enjoy unlimited usage on my phone. So I'd definitely recommend the switch. And you can still use your Blackberry without having to download hacked software that could damage it.

T-mobile has an entire department dedicated to their customers that want to use third party phones. LOL I'm starting to sound like a spokesperson for them!

I'm glad it all worked out for you though...have a good one.

Andrew

{ 10/31/2009 }

Calcio, see? i knew itd work. it was just that you guys were trying to do a verizon phone while still on alltel. thats why i was saying only do alltel phones. but now that were verizon, i has to be verizon. you can still do alltel phones though, smartphones wont work data wise. the reason why your web browser wont work is because when you do *228 with a blackberry, verizon takes away those service books required to make the web browser and other data capable features to work. to get them to work though, youd have to download generic blackberry service books back on to the phone. do you see the phone say 1xev in lowercase or 1XEV? theres a work around way to get the web back up but id need to know if youre recieving EVDO in capital letters. also, make sure the data feature is on (only during unlimited nights and weekends so you dont get charged). let me know

Calcio

{ 10/31/2009 }

An additional comment for Monique:Verizon may have switched your area,but not your account yet.I'm saying this because,verizon notified me about my area being switched,I think by mail.Awhile later,I can't remember the length of time,verizon notified me that 1 of my prepaid accounts would be switched over.They have'nt emailed me yet about my other prepaid account being switched over.They may not since both accounts have the same email address.Verizon notified which account would be switched by displaying the last 4 digits in the phone number in the email they sent me.Again,I hope this helps you.God Bless

Calcio

{ 10/31/2009 }

Hi Monique,I dialed *228 the day after they told me my prepaid account would be switched over to verizon.Verizon notified me when I would be switched over by sending me an email.The blackberry activated on the first try.Everything works like the phone it replaced.The web browser on the phone won't connect though.I just want to make sure that you were notified exactly when your prepaid account would be switched over.I guess I'm hoping for you that you really weren't switched over yet and you thought you were.Did verizon email you telling you the date you would be switched over?I know you said you're going with T-mobile.I may have to do that because of the web for the phone.I'm just hoping this reply will help you.God Bless.

Monique

{ 10/28/2009 }

Calcio, yeah I thought that too, but even after they switched my area, it still didn't work.

They had a Verizon plan that was similar to what I already use and it included data for a couple of bucks less than what I pay for alltel, but the wanted a $400 deposit..even though I opted for month to month service and was NOT buying a phone from them. Since the switch...they really suck now.

I just got off the phone with T-mobile and they are letting me use my new blackberry with unlimited talk, text and data for 79.99 a month.

That's about $10 more than what I was paying with my alltel plan not including the internet (since the switch, internet stopped working on my phone and they want me to pay monthly to add it back..no thanks)

T-mobile charged no activation fee and I'm not under any contract. So I'm happily switching over. Verizon buying Alltel pretty much sucks as bad as when AT&T bought Cingular...

Hope things work out better for you.

Calcio

{ 10/26/2009 }

Monique and Andrew,I just received an email last Tuesday from verizon that one of my prepaid alltel accounts will be transitioned to verizon this Thursday. So,Monique,maybe we just need to be patient as Andrew was advising us to do about activating our verizon blackberrys or probably any verizon phone. I have not received a notification concerning my other alltel prepaid account which I setup a month after my first prepaid account. Monique,I guess we just have to wait and see.

carl

{ 10/23/2009 }

Excellent service. Let's hope that Verizon does not mess it up( it will) . Great coverage, better than most prepaid providers. Much cheaper than ATT or Verizon. I did not notice anything about 4$/month charge for non use, and i did not use the phone for a few months. Alltel pay by minute was such an excellent deal, that a lot of people in our are which did not have direct Alltel coverage got the prepaid phones for rural travel where other carriers ( like my T-mobile ) did not have sufficient coverage. For international calls from your cell use following service
http://www.telna.com?aid=1160 for the homepage
http://www.telna.com?include=signup&aid=1160

Andrew

{ 10/23/2009 }

Chevelle: go to operamini.com and download it from there. blackberry wont have it on their site because they want you to use blackberry browser. opera mini is a web browser of its own.

mike: you need to set up a prepaid profile to have those options. since verizon took us over, need to go to verizon website and set it up there.

mike

{ 10/23/2009 }

whats the web site to go on if u want to change your pre paid phone

Andrew

{ 10/22/2009 }

John you can set it up online in your verizon profile.

go to my services, change your prepaid phone, and enter the ESN hex number. have your old phone off, wait 5 mins then dial *228 from the blackberry. press 1 and itll program the blackberry. turn off. turn back on and you should be using a blackberry.

ESN hex: in blackberry go to options, status, and there you find the ESN (hex). its 8 characters long mixed with letters and numbers.

John

{ 10/22/2009 }

ADREW

How did you go about setting up your blackberry to your prepaid account? I just bought an Alltel Blackberry Curve 8330 I want to try out on my prepaid.

Frankie Boswell

{ 10/22/2009 }

I love Alltel because of thier service, qualtiy, Custumer Care. But after alltel was bought buy #$%^%#$ Verizon evreything went to hell! if you buy a phone make sure its with alltel not with Damn verizon!

Meg

{ 10/22/2009 }

Was ok at first, not even a month after having it cuts out a lot. Having a lot of problems making calls and sending texts, comes up with "call failed" or "text unable to send" Not what I expected. Also hate how you have to go on the internet to see pictures that are sent to you.

Chevelle

{ 10/22/2009 }

AHA! I just had to call customer service...I was mysteriously running out of minutes after adding to my balance yesterday. It was explained to me that the $5.99 fee simply grants access to the web. Any kind of airtime that you use will be $.10 a minute for the airtime. Oops! I did not understand that at first. So I have been using facebook, downloading e-mails etc. and sucking my account dry. Now I totally understand what you (Andrew) meant by using unlimited nights and weekends. The rep told me that Unlim N&W was the workaround for these charges. Live and learn. Ya, only going to use internet on N&W, therefore I won't even worry about the $5.99 monthly fee. Even better.

Andrew: Did you download Opera from a BB software site?

Andrew

{ 10/21/2009 }

Chevelle glad you can enjoy what theyve been hiding from us for no good reason. I see it as, if a prepaid person really WANTS a balckberry or smartphone, why wouldnt they just allow us to have it? If we wanna spend $600 on a phone, they still profit (except... i bought mine for $60 brand new lol). but, they made us have to go another route. and in the end, we still win!

as you mentioned about the browser in the phone, ya, that wont work. even when we were still alltel, my blackberry web browser didnt work either. but I downloaded opera mini web browser and it worked, so try that, though, I doubt itll still work because when verizon took us over, all data capable features got turned off. but opera mini was free, you didnt have to pay the $1.99 or $5.99 subscription. on your blackberry, it wont ask you if you wanna renew the $5.99/month because blackberry wasnt geared for prepaid so youd either have to call or go on your prepaid profile or reactivate your old phone, select it, then reactivate the blackberry.

tip: if you have unlimited nights and weekends, internet is FREE reguardless if you pay the $1.99/$5.99 or not. (I DONT pay for whats free!.. im using it now)

Chevelle

{ 10/21/2009 }

Andrew, THANK YOU for all of your help. I found this forum, purchased a BB Pearl on E-bay for $30 dollars, switched it over to my Alltel prepaid account and viola! My only downside is that the browser on the phone is not validated to work, so I cannot use the internet. But I can use applications that access the internet like Facebook and Tiggit for POP e-mail. I'm a little concerned that when my $5.99/month for internet is up that I won't be able to renew it. On my Alltel prepaid phone, when I opened my browser it asked...not sure how it will work on my BB.

Love the info. Keep it coming.

Andrew

{ 10/20/2009 }

Calcio thanks. i will continue to look into stuff. i dont know if you saw or not, but i mentioned that my verizon usb modem IS working on my prepaid number. weird thing is it wasnt working when i first activated it when we were still alltel. now it does. reason why i was saying for you guys to wait untill verizon took us over to do a verizon phone. but, i do see the problem. as you said, its not just you, Monique is having problems with hers too. i think some fault is still due to the transition. some is also due to us being prepaid and some is blackberries. even contract people from alltel were told that their blackberry would not work anymore and i can testify (having an alltel blackberry on prepaid). it would still make calls and texts but everything data capable is OFF. my verizon usb modem is working on my number i think because before verizon took us, i activated it on my alltel account. it didnt work then because we wernt verizon but since they took us, its kinda like they had to make it work because i already flashed it with my number from alltel. I think it can still be done but ill have to get a verizon blackberry now. because if the usb is working and its from verizon, why shouldnt anything else verizon work? one rep told me that verizon phones will work for us, but that we wouldnt have the data capable features. ..yet did she know im using a verizon usb modem

Calcio

{ 10/18/2009 }

Andrew,much appreciation to you for your efforts on helping those of us on prepaid who have blackberrys.Thanks for your patience with our questions.

Monique,I too share with your frustration.I too am trying to activate my verizon blacberry curve and I also am getting the same response when i dialed *228.I even tried to dial *22898,I think that's because I saw it on the verizon website,but I'm not sure.Well,I got the same response as you did.Andrew and Monique,please stay on this forum because we probably all can help each other concerning this and maybe are helping others.Thank you both.However,if either of you want to,you can email me at Liberoforza@yahoo.com.I just need help on this.I'm really trying to refrain from paying close to 90 bucks a month to use my blackberry.Thanks again, Calcio

Monique

{ 10/18/2009 }

ANDREW, Yeah I'm still here. If you want you can also reach me at sanchmon84@yahoo.com

Thanks for all your help

Andrew

{ 10/18/2009 }

Monique i know what youre talking about. let me know if youre still on here so i can tell you.

Jay

{ 10/17/2009 }

I bought an Alltel phone 2 days ago but it turns out they stopped signing new costumers in Arizona I tried calling the stores but they couldnt help me so now Im stuck with this phone and no service. If anyone has any advice I would appreciate it but it doesnt look good. Congrats to those who were grandfathered into Verizon with an Alltel plan I envy you.

Debbie

{ 10/17/2009 }

Hi all, I hope I can get some updated feedback here... I just purchased an alltel phone yesterday. I absolutly love the phone its an alltel phone with camera, its pink and really cute BUT, I AM STARTING TO GET WORRIED...thought i got a great deal and so far the phone is working fine except I cant get on the internet browser. The cost was 39.95 plus tax like 42.00 per month. For unlimited nationwide phone service and unlimited texting. suppose to get 20 i think it was megabytes or whatever of internet per month.... EVERYTHING WORKS GREAT EXCEPT THE INTERNET WONT CONNECT AND WHEN I DIAL CUSTOMER SERVICE IT SAYS ALL CIRCUITS ARE BUSY OVER AND OVER AND OVER....... I DONT EVEN KNOW IF THERE IS ANYONE EVEN THERE.... I paid 135.00 for the phone which included my 1 st month free SO I THOUGHT I WAS GETTING A GREAT DEAL BUT NOW IM GETTING WORRIED I MIGHT HAVE MADE A MISTAKE..... I CANT GET CUSTOMER SERVICE AND CANT GET INTERNET TO WORK..... DOES NE ONE ELST HAVE THIS NEW PLAN OR ANY RECENT NEWS ABOUT ALLTEL SO I KNOW IF I SHOULD TRY TO RETURN IT AND GO WITH ANOTHER COMPANY SINCE ITS ONLY BEEN A DAY I WOULD THINK I COULD RETURN, PLEASE ANYONE LET ME KNOW UR COMMENTS.... THNKS, DEBBIE

lyndsay

{ 10/15/2009 }

when i try to text someone from my lg phone from alltell it says send failed so what is wrong with my phone and what should i do?

Monique

{ 10/15/2009 }

ANDREW, yes I put in the ESN Hex online, it tells me to dial *228 to activate the new phone, but when I do it calls Verizon customer service. I've tried different forms of *228 as well...i.e *2800, *22801. There is a manual way to do it by punching a few codes in your phone, I know because they did it for me on my old phone. I just didn't write down any of the codes

Andrew

{ 10/15/2009 }

Nick you dont have to have the alltel phone with you to transfer it. all you need is the new phones ESN hex number and your phone number. you can go in the store if you want or you can do it online from your prepaid account profile if you have one. you should sign up for one if you dont. beats calling customer service for stuff you can do on your own- add/take away features, etc..

Monique did you put in the ESN hex?

Nicholas

{ 10/14/2009 }

Well Andrew I have another question if I were to do this i don't have the alltel phone to transfer it from it to the verizon one but I still have the number and info. would I have to go to verizon for them 2 switch it?!?!

Monique

{ 10/13/2009 }

ANDREW, I've got the phone and it is unlocked, but when I tried to activate it, I couldn't get it to go through. Every time I dialed *228, it says they are unable to activate my phone at this time. I tried Alltel customer service to get them to do it, but they just gave me a bunch of pointless arguing and said they would have to put me on a contract plan. I already know that's B.S...any idea on how to activate it the long way?

Andrew

{ 10/13/2009 }

..im gonna run a few tests and let everyone know the outcome. that message that i previously wrote was word of mouth from calling a verizon customer service rep. but yet im able to STILL connect to the internet using my verizon usb stick on my (grandfathered) alltel prepaid account. which means if its working, verizon is lieing to us just so we wouldnt have the knowledge to use their products on our UNLIMITED alltel prepaid plans. word of advice: 1.never trust customer service reps and 2.take full advantage of your unlimited features!!

for those that didnt like alltel prepaid they musta been nuts. alltel gave us unlimited features to use and abuse and now that were on verizon were able to do stuff their prepaid customers can NEVER do less they fess up some $$$!

Andrew

{ 10/12/2009 }

ey Chad sup. you can use your verizon LG VX8300 on your alltel prepaid plan BUT.. itll only allow you to make calls and texts. anything data dependent WONT work (web, pic and vid messaging, etc) because verizon wants us to suffer unless we update to their highly expensive prepaid plans. id suggest to you though to get an alltel prepaid phone like the LG touch screen if you still wanna have the power of keeping your alltel plan PLUS using your data features. because even though i said before that alltel blackberries would work, now that verizon took us over, they interfered with the data settings and now too, even though it IS an alltel smartphone, itll only allow regular calls and texts. so i switched back to my alltel prepaid phone and again im able to log on to the internet with my laptop for free.

same message applies to you, Nick

Nicholas

{ 10/12/2009 }

Hi, I have a alltel prepaid service and recently purchased a verizon LG chocolate & I want to know would my service be able to work on the verizon phone since alltel, & verizon are now joined???

Chad

{ 10/11/2009 }

Hey Andrew,

I have an older verizon LG VX8300 and it is my favorite cell...an absolutle workhorse...my question for you is can i make it my prepaid phone aswell? i am currently using the little purple LG thingy that i had to buy in order to activate the service and would like my other instead...any ideas? Thanks

Andrew

{ 10/08/2009 }

Hey Monique,

by it being an unlocked phone, it should work. if it doesnt work, hold out untill verizon takes you over, because its a verizon storm anyway, correct? they notified me today by email that tomorrow they switch me to verizon. luckily were grandfathered and dont have to pay crazy $3.99+ a day for our same features now. so ya, all you have to do is put in the ESN hex and youre good to go. you mentioned a SIM. the SIM only allows the phone to work in other countries so pay no attention to that.

Monique

{ 10/08/2009 }

ANDREW, correction on my last review. I purchased a Blackberry Storm. My question is can that be used on the prepaid service I have now with alltel?

Monique

{ 10/06/2009 }

I've had the Alltel prepaid for about a year now and I've never had any issues other than the phones suck. I pay about $75 a month for 700 min and unlimited text, which is perfect for me because most of my family and friends are on the verizon network (so m2m) and I text more than talk. I think its great.

My question is for Andrew..the unlock guy. I'm thinking of getting the Blackberry Tour unlocked and I wanted to know how I would go about setting it up with my alltel account. Can it still work if the phone has a sim card?

If you can't reach me on here, my email is sanchmon84@yahoo.com.
Thanks

Andrew

{ 10/05/2009 }

Today verizon starts transfering us over from alltel little by little. glad i was able to help, Richie! here are a few tips for everyone:

-*228 (i reccomend everyone dial it atleast once a month. updates your phone for the better!)

-*780 (turns OFF your voicemail so that you wont get charged 10 cent when someone leaves a voicemail during the day)

-*78 (turns back ON your voice mail)

-manage connections, mobile network options, data services: OFF (ONLY for those of you who updated to a blackberry as i mentioned. you wanna keep data services OFF, atleast during the day because when the blackberry (or any smartphone) synchronizes with the network during the day, itll charge you!)

-opera mini (i reccomend any prepaid blackberry or smartphone user to get opera mini as your web browser in your phone even over your origional phones web browser! first: for me, because my blackberry on prepaid would not let me use the blackberry web browser in the phone, opera mini WILL work. you know how in your phone you HAVE to do the $1.99 a day or $5.99 a month thing to use the internet in your phone? well opera mini is FREE. and its a real internet like web browser for your phone. not the cheap browser like the phone came with. its really better! it will charge you during the day, of course. and you would need to have your data setting turned on. unlimited nights and weekends it is free.)

call me out if you need me. otherwise, see you guys on the other side (verizon.. when they transfer us)

Andrew

{ 09/28/2009 }

Calcio: you do have an alltel prepaid account online right? cause its easier like that. if you call customer service they might give you problems knowing that youd want a blackberry on prepaid. correct about the ESN number. but youd wanna put in the ESN hex (has letters and numbers) not the other ESN. after you put it in you need to have your old phone off and dial *228 to have the blackberry activated. then youre good to go.

as far as it being a verizon blackberry... im not so sure on that one. because the networks still know that were alltel. my blackberry is an alltel phone. now.. it may still work but i never tried a verizon phone yet (in a way). but, even if it doesnt work, still hold on to it because when verizon gives us prepaid accounts on their site, it will also give us the option to change phones and because we will officially be verizon, it should work.

you may need to get the web pass to use the features in the phone. im not using my features (yet) but i will look into it. i just use mine for now for regular texting and calls and to link to my laptop for the internet (im using it now).
(p.s.- when you run out of minutes, internet is free!)

i did test my verizon usb card with my prepaid number but didnt have success. as i said i think its because the verizon network knows that im an alltel customer. so id have to use an alltel usb for it to work (untill after were 100% verizon). it did program and everything but it just wouldnt let me connect to the internet.

summer

{ 09/28/2009 }

I'm not happy with alltel prepaid at alll.they charge too much!screw them

Calcio

{ 09/28/2009 }

Andrew,I agree with you 100% about allltel's prepaid plan and service.I want to make sure I understand you correctly though when you said that a blackberry curve can be prepaid.So,all that's needed to be done to make a blackberry prepaid is to put in the blackberry's ESN/MEID number and follow their remaining steps?(you made this reply to Whitney's request)I recently bought a verizon blackberry curve from a good friend of mine.She was selling it because she didn't realize how expensive having the phone on her verizon 2 year plan would be.When I read what you said could be done for prepaid with the blackberry,I was relieved that it won't be that expensive for me to have,as it would be for if it was to be non prepaid.So,I would like to know this:It is a verizon blackberry curve,will it work on my alltel prepaid account?My third and last question:Do you need to buy alltels web pass(that's only $5.99/month)to get the full features of the blackberry?Many thanks for you sharing your encouraging discovery about this!!Please let us know about the alltel usb test also.

I_heart_alltel

{ 09/24/2009 }

I have had a lot of different kinds of phones and i love the Alltel service.

penguinlover!

{ 09/20/2009 }

I have been on the prepaid plan for three years now and I absolutely love it!! However, the only downfall is it costs you ten cents a minute outside of nine pm and if someone calls you before nine it takes money out of your account even though you didnt answer. I am absolutely satisfied with Alltel prepaid.

Andrew

{ 09/11/2009 }

sorry to hear and see people have problems. but for me, i grabbed alltel by the horns, and showed them whos boss. heres something else i just did to benefit: as i said in my last review, since verizon bought out alltel, alltel unlocked the entire network, which means as prepaid customers, were able to get any phone we want. they wont tell you this but, i AM. so i got myself a blackberry curve. i only pay $20 a month for unlimited text and unlimited nights and weekends. i just paired my blackberry with my laptop through bluetooth and im connecting to the internet for FREE! im using the phone as a modem and its as fast as DSL. so again, im ONLY paying $20 a month and i have a blackberry curve to sport, and now FREE wireless internet for my laptop!! the last test i want to conduct is getting ahold of an alltel usb modem and putting it on my prepaid account so that i wont have to use the phone as a modem. those wireless internet plans usually cost $60 a month for 5GB (i know because i have it for verizon but it WILL be getting cut off TODAY) but im gonna get unlimited internet for $20 a month using my prepaid..

Janice

{ 09/10/2009 }

I have had Alltel in the past and currently in the process of changing carriers. Alltel not only does unauthorized debits to customers accounts they also overcharge the prepaid accounts. (Example - When there is a 10 cent charge Alltel will try to deduct up to $2.00 from your account) Trying to get anything corrected is nearly impossible with Alltel. |I currently have a unsettled complaint against Alltel witht he Better Business Bureau.

AngryAlltelCST

{ 09/09/2009 }

I was really happy with Alltel until recently. to begin with I was told that since the merger, alltel and verizon were m2m. Since some customers were being switched and some werent right now. Well, up until today, both my phones ( we had 2 alltel phones. mine and my daughters) well they converted mine over to a verizon prepaid ( even though the prepaid account page and phone both say alltel, I was ok as long as I could keep m2m with my daughter and vise versa. I found out that hers was still considered alltel) Well, today it started charging her for calling someone else that has an Alltel phone that has been switched over to a verizon number and was charged 25c per minute and all her bonus minutes were gone as well. I tried calling customer service about the issue and was hung up on multiple times. When I asked to speak to an English speaking supervisor, They hung up on me again. No resolution. at this point and I am very disapointed in the fact that we are basically being pushed around like ragdolls. I love the pay per day plan, BUT how are we supposed to know when we call or receive a call that someone that we used to have m2m with, we may not have anymore, and they are unwilling to help in anyway to correct this issue.

Debbie

{ 09/02/2009 }

I have been a prepaid customer since 2005 and I love it! I started out on the 59.99 per month plan and I have remained there. I get 700 any time minutes and unlimited nights and weekends, unlimited text messaging, and as always customer service that is available to me when I need them. I was on cellular one before and had many problems. Now Verizon is here but, I have kept my Alltel. It works for me!

Andrew

{ 08/30/2009 }

Alltel in my opinion is/was the best prepaid among the 5 major wireless companies. I only give 4 stars because it is true that at one point they were charging me for data usage that I was not using but I did call customer service and they did credit me back (imagine if I didnt catch that..). Problem never happened again. But over all they are the cheapest. Trust me, I do my research. I only pay $20 a month for unlimited nights and weekends and unlimited text messaging. Those same features on a Verizon or AT&T prepaid plan would cost starting at $40 a month. Check for yourself and see. With being a previous Alltel prepaid customer, Im grandfathered into Verizon's network keeping my same unlimited features without paying Verizon's crazy rates. As long as they honored us ex-Alltel customers, I have no complaint. As "Ash" and "V" mentioned, you CAN update your phone on an Alltel prepaid plan to ANY Alltel phone they offered. "V" updated to a motoQ smartphone. I just updated to the BlackBerry Curve 8330 (also a smartphone)!! Remember these are data/smartphones- NOT origionally supposed to be available to prepaid customers BUT because Verizon bought out Alltel, they unlocked the entire Alltel network allowing us to take advantage of phones we would have never had the opportunity to use. Also as "V" mentioned, SHOP AROUND for a deal on a cool phone! Ok, I said I updated to the BlackBerry Curve 8330 right? And usually that phone costs like $500. Well, instead of going to Amazon.com or Ebay, I looked on Craigslist. My BlackBerry is BRAND NEW and the guy was selling it for $130 but I talked him into selling it to me for $60!!! So I get to sport a new BlackBerry for only $20 a month with unlimited features on prepaid. Everyone is always shocked to hear that. Ill help anyone wanting to update their phone or that needs help or info on this stuff because I want you to benefit from it too but youll have to write a review on here and call me out

Patricia

{ 08/19/2009 }

Its ok but if you can get a plan i cant get hte my circle on prepaid and i pay 69.99 a month for 700 day time minutes unlimited texting mobile to mobile free nights and weekends

Paula

{ 08/12/2009 }

normally your site is ok. but today it is saying you have no safety certificate and therefore i have tried to put minutes on my sons phone 3x today and failed, please fix this.

Justin

{ 08/11/2009 }

the activation fee is only if you buy it in the store. If you had bought at walmart there wouldn't be any fee.

vince

{ 08/11/2009 }

Have had problems with the phone service since my wife got her Scoop. Texting is no problem. Making phone calls has been a problem since day one. First the number she was given seemed to belong to a person who didnt pay their bills so collection calls kept coming. Then that same person would seem to make calls to the phone to check messages. We finally was able to get a new number. But the online account info we used was still linked to that number and was t transferred to the new number. We found tbhat out when my wife got an email from a woman who now has the previous number. The phone wont make outgoing calls it can only receive them....50% of the time. Going to switch to either virgin mobile or tmobile prepaid.

Paige

{ 08/09/2009 }

Also, I knew that Alltel would be switching to Verizon, so i asked if i would also have to swtich to a Verizon prepaid plan. But they said if you get the Alltel plan now, they won't make you switch!

Paige

{ 08/09/2009 }

I have used tracfone for 4 years, which was alright except the phones weren't that great and i always had to hold myself back from texting too much. I just switched to Alltel prepaid 3 days ago and got the LG Banter for $70! I love it already!! I have unlimited texting and unlimited nights and weekends, its AMAZING! I thought there was going to be a monthly bill for the pay-per-day plan, but i love how you can get cards and it automatically does it for you! I only wish there was a plan where you could get data so you can go online.

Ash

{ 08/01/2009 }

By the way you can buy a regular alltel phone that was not orig. prepaid, and you can still use it with prepaid. I did it...all you have to do is purchase the phone then call the customer service and tell them that you want to switch your number to a new phone. And it works!!!! I love alltel but verizon's prepaid plans suck, trust me I have looked into it...

Alltel Man

{ 07/31/2009 }

This phone is great! I love the unlimited texting.... I text about 10,000 texts a month and it's only about 33 cents a day!!!

Alltel Man

{ 07/31/2009 }

People, what the heck is the matter with ya'll? Alltel pre-paid is a great service.... I personally haven't had the pre-paid, but i have lots of friends who do and they love it... i mean come on.... $1.00 a day gets you unlimited texting, unlimited mobile to mobile, and unlimited nights and weekends. Hell that's only like $31.00 a month versus paying like $50.00 a month to get the same thing on a 2 year contract.... and then you have to stay with them for 2 years even if you can't afford them... i say that alltel pre-paid is the way to go if you like to text.... You can even get cool phones with the pre-paid service. Unlike other pay as you go providers who give you all the same phones which look pre-paid. These don't. i've heard that you can even buy a contract phone and use it as pre-paid.. that's awesome to me....

Somebody

{ 07/30/2009 }

Just to let you know Jamie..... from 3 questions up. You CAN use the same phone, you just have to have an Alltel employee reprogram your phone..... and most probably won't do it cause it causes them to lose money. So you can ask, but they probably won't

PetLover79

{ 07/25/2009 }

Stay away from Alltel service, especially if you live in a rural area. It is the worst I have ever experienced!

Dierdre

{ 07/24/2009 }

Yesterday was the happiest day in my phone life cause I dropped this #$^% company. If Alltel thinks shipping customer service overseas was a good idea - I guess they are laughing at their customers all the way to the bank. CS is HORRIBLE!!!!!! If I left my immediate area I usually couldn't get the ^#$*# to work. Sure hope Verizon improves this beast cause it is an insult to every customer who has no choice but Alltel service. It was 4 years of pure hell!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tee

{ 07/20/2009 }

I bought an alltel phone for my ex bf(when i was with him) so i cud txt him for free and stuff any way i thought it was pretty good service and it got great reception..they only thing i absolutely hate about alltel is they dont have unlimited txting to everyone and it really sux every other phone company has it but them or so it seems!

Kanepharr@live.com

{ 07/19/2009 }

I have had alltel since i was 9, I am now 17...Its perfect for me...Unlimited texting and mobile to mobile for 22.50 a month...I change phones probably once a week and it only takes a few minutes...customer service is great...I don't know whats wrong with you people...you can even de-activate your voicemail to save more money...any more q's just email me

Bill

{ 07/17/2009 }

I got screwed big time when Cingular bought ATT wireless customers and now I'm getting screwed again by Alltel. Thanks to Cingulars fraudulent charges to my account which I refused to pay, (over $800),I now have to use prepaid plans. I have an Alltel prepaid plan which wasn't all that good to begin with. Calls constantly dropped, long recorded messages when accessing voice mail which eat up extra minutes, etc., etc. Since the buy out of Alltel by Verizon it has been almost impossible to get in touch with customer service. The prepaid user site shows a message a lot, when I try to access customer service, which reads," Unable to retrieve that information". Try using the number they have online and all you'll get is someone who doesn't speak English very well so it's hard to understand them. Go to a Verizon store and you'll be lucky if you even get waited on. When they find out you're with Alltel they keep saying they will be right with you while they keep putting Verizon customers ahead of you. Eventually I gave up and left after almost an hour of waiting. Guess I'll have to find another provider again!

Angel

{ 07/11/2009 }

Im thinkin abov gettin alltel but i hate dat they charge roamin. Roamin at 59 cents a minutb can eat away mins. But something has to b better dan att.

maxine

{ 07/10/2009 }

alltel is always taking money for no reason and it is crazy how much they charge we need a new plan asap were gettin deeper in the hole keep giving money away an still dont have no better plan

Old Altell

{ 07/01/2009 }

Altel was a 5 star company until Verison

Bought a prepaid from the local Altel shop and was very happy. Verison took over the shop and now will not support phone repair 6 months later. Called 800 number 7 times and was dropped six times. Told to take phone to authorized dealer IN THE NEXT STATE when I got to talk. I did take it and when we arrived we were told call the 800 number because the store would not help me. Called back to 800 and was given a case number and was told they would send a phone keep my battery and send back the old phone. Ten days later called for status and was told "you have to send it to us and wait". This is the same bad service Verison provides, we quit that company last winter. This is another fine company killed to get market share. This is now just Verison

Shelby

{ 06/30/2009 }

i love my alltel prepaid phone! its the BEST:) the two things i DONT like about it is- you cant get cool like picture phones for prepaid! ive looked eveywhere and i cant find any=/ and also i cant download ringtones??? i buy credits then they just take my money and dont give me the ringtone?? it makes me wanna break my phone!!! but other than that I LOVE IT!

Lakiesha

{ 06/29/2009 }

I love alltel phones, because they are the best phone you can have. I love the free nights and weekends and my circle.

jameshia

{ 06/26/2009 }

i just live alltel

erica

{ 06/19/2009 }

my alltel prepaid phone fell in the lake and no longer works. i have another alltel phone but i dont no how to switch them over..i went to "www.alltel.com/myprepaid" but i forgot my login and password. when i got to "forgot password" they tell me to put in my mobile number and i put it in but it says that number is not found.. i dont no what to do. AND I CANT LIVE WITHOUT MY PHONE!!

Veronica

{ 06/04/2009 }

I love alltel prepaid!!!! I have had nothing else and do not plan to have anything else! I get great service where ever I go and never pay more than 30$ a month for my talk time and unlimited texting. They also offer a great variety of phones and excellent service! I have not seen any other prepaid that even comes close to alltel!!!

JAYU

{ 06/01/2009 }

ALLTEL IS THE BEST SERVICE EVER WHOO HOO GO ALLTEL....YEAH

Toon

{ 05/23/2009 }

ALTELL IS VERY BAD THEY TAKE MONEY FOR NO REA SON IT SUCKS

Unknow

{ 05/18/2009 }

As a prepaid phone i really dont prefer that you use a credit card because once i started using it they charged me for over 300.00 dollars and i didnt even have any minutes added to the phone for that much money and they never gave me my money back i suggest if you do use them then use cash and actually go to the store and put money on the phone this is just my experience with them no telling how yours will go

Leeza Kendric

{ 05/17/2009 }

I like this service because you get good service on your cell phone

vannessa

{ 05/17/2009 }

I dislike when the telephone does not work.You try to go online to check it and the web page does not work either.

Elliott Rains

{ 05/13/2009 }

As of when I am writing this, I do not personally have Alltel Prepaid. BUT, my 16 year old brother, my mother, and father all have Alltel... and honestly, couldn't be happier. The Pay-Per-Day plan is far superior to any other pre-paid plans I have seen..... and I know just about everything there is to know about Pre-Paid cell phones. (Hmm, funny I don't have one.) Anyway, if you live in their physical network area and can stand paying a $35! activation fee, they really can't be beat.

darius smith

{ 05/13/2009 }

my alltel acount has been wonderful with my unlimited

shakeema shaw

{ 05/08/2009 }

I love the text messaging and free nights and weekends. I love the free after seven plan. I really enjoy alltel!!!!!!!!!

SHAY

{ 04/28/2009 }

I THIK READIN OTHERS N THEY COMMENTS THAT ALTEL IS ONLY GUD 4 TXTN...WAT IM NOT TO MUCH LIKIN IS THE $1 A DAY THING...BUT BESIDES THAT I THINK ITS GUD AND PEOPLE HAS CONVINCED ME 2 AT LEAST CHECK IT OUT AND I LOVE THEY TOUCH SCREEN LG SLIDE UP GORGEOUS BUT OTHAS HAD SAID THAT THATS THE PHONE DAT MESSED UP... BUT BESIDES IMA CHECK IT OUT:)<-----------------

aaliyah

{ 04/24/2009 }

i have had 1 altell phone and this is my 2 one and i loved it and still do!

Lala

{ 04/15/2009 }

I love Alltel U-Prepaid it is very convinient. I don't have to worry about paying a bill each month, I can put money on my account anytime I get good and ready. I put 10 bucks on my account every two weeks and I'm good to go. Like the Clayton dude said above, I hope Verizon don't mess up Alltel and make it fucqked up and sheit or Ima be mad as hell.

neal clayton

{ 04/11/2009 }

I'm retired and on fixed income.Have had Atell prepaid 5 yrs.It's great.Been all over country(city & rural) no roaming charges.Had a billing error and they credited right away..75 cents a day,free eve, weekends and free to call my son-even though he has a different provider.Where are you going to be able to get manny-manny calls to anywhere fo $22.50 per month. I've checked them all-no one better. Customer service great-bonus minutes when adding money via net. and you can check all calls,time,cost for ea. call and dates anytime. I just hope Verizon does'nt screw it up, the new owners.

Fiona

{ 04/03/2009 }

When the phone was deactivated and we didn't know why since we had added plenty of minutes, we called the customer service number. English definitely not first language, if she explained I couldn't understand, then she hung up on me. Second call to another person, said we had been transfered to "contract" (we never signed one but he wouldn't tell me what that meant) but the number he sent me to was "disconnnected or no longer in use." At no point would anyone tell me what the problem was. Dumped phone. NEVER ALLTEL!