2010 is quickly turning into the year of the smartphone. With the new DROID by Motorola, HTC DROID Eris, Palm Pre Plus and Pixi Plus, demand for these high-end devices is skyrocketing. A new feature becoming more and more prevalent on these phones is Wi-Fi. What is Wi-Fi and what does it do for a cellular phone that has this feature? Continue reading →

With only a few days under its belt, the Nexus One is already stirring up a bit of controversy. Being a phone that is marketed exclusively through Google’s Nexus One website, interested persons don’t have the option of going into a store and trying the phone out for themselves. With that in mind, consumers who purchase Google’s smart-phone with the two-year T-Mobile contract option will want to be cautious about returning the phone. According to the device’s service agreement, when a Nexus One is returned and service cancelled within 120 days of purchase, a total of $550 in early termination fees, $350 from Google and $200 from T-Mobile, will be assessed.

There’s currently no word on whether the fine from Google applies to customers who purchase the phone at full retail price, but we were able to confirm that, for the first 14-days of purchase, the fees do not apply to returned devices and discontinued service. The lesson is clear: If you purchase a Nexus One, don’t procrastinate if you aren’t sure you will be keeping the phone, or you’ll have shelled out enough cash that you could have purchased a new Nexus at retail price.

It’s official: The Alltel/Verizon conversion, which started all the way back in  January with the purchase of Alltel Wireless by Verizon Wireless, is in the final weeks before finishing with the last few markets switching over to the larger nationwide carrier. On October18, 2009, all Alltel cellular subscribers in the Western Nevada market, which includes Fallon, will have their accounts converted over to Verizon’s billing system. Let’s take a moment and answer some basic questions.

Q: Do current Alltel or Verizon customers need to do anything during the conversion?

A: The billing conversion is an automatic process. Neither Alltel nor Verizon customers are required to take any action in regards to the conversion.

Q: Will I have to change my Alltel phones or calling plan? What will happen to coverage and call quality?

A: Alltel customers may continue to use their current phones and wireless calling plans after the conversion. Coverage and call quality will remain the same and may be enhanced in certain areas.

Q: Will I be able to keep My Circle?

A: Yes, as long as you remain on an Alltel plan, the numbers in your Circle will tcarry over into Verizon.

Now available on the Verizon network from Janess Business Services: The Novatel MiFi 2200!

Have multiple devices that need internet connections? With the new MiFi and 5GB data plan from Verizon Wireless, not only are you freed from restrictive land-based internet connections, but limited range Wi-Fi hot-spots as well! All it takes is a push of a button and your very own mobile internet hotspot is ready to go. Connect up to five Wi-Fi enabled devices and experience the freedom of America’s largest and most reliable 3G network.

Interested in finding out more about the MiFi 2200? Stop by our office at 625 W Williams Ave. Ste A in Fallon, NV!

We’ve teamed up with Verizon Wireless to offer Fallon customers even more options for the best in cellular service! Stop in and let our courteous staff help you find the best network and plan to meet your wireless communications needs!

Stop into our store at 625 W Williams Ave. Ste A in Fallon, NV and view our selection of cellular phones, wireless internet cards, and prepaid phone options from both Alltel Wireless and Verizon Wireless.

Please note, Verizon is still in the process of integrating the network in the Fallon area into their system. At this time we are unable to service local numbers. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through this transistion period.

We’ve discussed the basic principles that show how cellular phones work. We went over the basics of radio frequencies and how multiple frequencies could be used at once to allow both parties to talk simultaneously, rather than one at a time. We also took a closer look at how a cellular network is structured, dividing an area into “cells” served by low-powered transceivers allowing the limited number of channels to be re-used across the entire network. Next comes the practical exam, so get out your #2 pencils, class! Continue reading →

Owning a cellular phone has become a fairly widespread practice. In fact, according the the CTIA-Wireless Association, over 250 million Americans now own a cellphone. That’s around 82% of the total population of the United States. That’s a whole lotta talkin’ going on around the country. Now with all the verbalizing and vocalizing going on around the country, you may wonder how these seemingly magical devices manage to connect people together even across the globe. Let’s take a closer look at cellular phones what how they do what they do. In part one, we’ll discuss the principle that allows cellular phones to work. In part two, we’ll talk about what happens when you make a call, and what the differences between the networks are, including what the terms “3G” and “4G” mean. Continue reading →

Alltel and Verizon customers may have noticed a few changes in their service lately. Verizon has been hard at work preparing for the final steps of the network integration later this year and, as a result, have made some upgrades to the local Alltel network.

What changes have been made?

First, Alltel has enabled EV-DO (Evolution-Data Optimized) coverage in the Fallon area for high-speed mobile web access. While Alltel subscribers have had EV-DO coverage on certain devices like smartphones and wireless internet cards, it was coverage provided by one of Alltel’s roaming partners. This allowed local Alltel users to access this network without paying roaming fees. With the introduction of their own EV-DO coverage, this roaming agreement is no longer necessary and has opened the higher-speed data service for all compatible Alltel devices. This upgrade allows for faster data transfer, giving subscribers quicker access to mobile web and faster downloads from the Alltel Shop.

Secondly, Verizon has been making upgrades to the local Alltel network to increase the capacity it has to handle subscribers. With those upgrades completed, Verizon has released a roaming update to all of it’s subscribers, switching them from the network they are currently using in Fallon, to the Alltel network. Verizon customers now have access to text messaging, mobile web, and other data features that they were unable to use before.

If you are a Verizon customer and still unable to use this feature, then your phone may need to be manually updated while on the Verizon network. The nearest place to do this is Fernley, where you can dial *228 and follow the steps to update your roaming coverage.

As we get closer to the finalization of the integration between Alltel and Verizon, we will keep you up-to-date on the changes as they impact local residents.

Some rumors have been floating around Fallon recently that Verizon has been purchased by AT&T, and therefore, has purchased Alltel as well. This is not true. What has happened is that AT&T has purchased some Alltel assets from their current owner Verizon Wireless. These assets include areas in which the only wireless service available is either Alltel or Verizon, and must be divested (stripped away from the main network and sold to a competing carrier) in accordance with federal anti-trust laws.

This news does not impact the majority of Fallon residents, although it does effect Alltel customers in Ely and Elko.

Once again, Verizon has not been purchased by AT&T, but rather a percentage of Alltel assets has.