Alltel store puts on AT& T signs 1 February 2011 Casa Grande Dispatch AT& T began the changeover Monday

in Pinal County to bring former Alltel customers into its network. The first visible step is rebranding the former Alltel store at 1202 E. Florence Blvd. in Casa Grande. Transitioning customers also may visit the existing AT& T store location at 1269 N. Promenade Parkway, Suite 108, in the village area just south of the Harkins Theatres in The Promenade at Casa Grande, or any other AT& T store. The change affects all of Alltel's customers in Pinal and Gila counties, including Casa Grande, Arizona City, Coolidge, Eloy, Florence and Maricopa. An AT& T spokeswomen said Monday that the two networks will run side-by-side for a short time as Alltel customers are shifted to AT& T's technology. Alltel customers were contacted recently about selecting new phones, since the two systems run on different technologies and require different phones. Text messages sent to customers Monday said the service change would be effective Feb. 11 and the new phones should be delivered this week. The changeover results from Verizon's acquisition of Alltel a couple of years ago. Verizon was required to divest some Alltel assets as part of the acquisition, including the local service area, since the purchase would have resulted in a competitive imbalance locally. AT& T agreed to purchase the Pinal and Gila county assets of Alltel. AT& T said it will continue to communicate directly with former Alltel customers to inform them as the transition continues. Customers can get more information on the Web at www.att.com/ [http://www.att.com/] alltel or by phoning 877-930-9015 to speak with a sales representative at an AT& T retail location. Trained sales consultants will be available to demonstrate a wide range of AT& T wireless products and services. "We're thrilled to welcome former Alltel customers to the AT& T community, and we're confident that they will enjoy a fantastic wireless experience with AT& T," said Chris Percy, vice president and general manager for AT& T Mobility and Consumer Markets in Arizona. "We've been working nonstop to upgrade the Alltel network, and today we're proud that customers in this area now get access to the nation's fastest mobile broadband network and a wireless network that covers 97 percent of all Americans as well as offers the best international coverage of any U. S. wireless provider - with voice service in more than 220 countries and data service in more than 200 countries." AT& T will provide former eligible Alltel individual and family plan customers with a new, free phone or data device comparable to the one they have today with no additional contract term required. Also, a majority of customers choosing free comparable devices will be able to keep their existing rate plans. Larry Lockhart/ Dispatch The former Alltel store at 1202 E. Florence Blvd. in Casa Grande was unveiled Monday as an AT& T store. The change is part of the ongoing conversion of Alltel service in Pinal and Gila counties.