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Phone companies merge Christopher Bjorke,The Bismarck TribuneMcClatchy-Tribune Regional NewsMay 4, 2011

Bismarck, ND. - Excited to get new phones or just eager get back to work,Alltel customers are lining up at AT&T stores as that company completes itsacquisition of Alltel 's wireless service.

"The cellphone's got to work," said Aaron Strommen, a Fort Rice area rancherin line at Bismarck's South Seventh Street AT&T store Tuesday. A mobilephone has become a necessary tool for farmers to talk to suppliers, buyers,bankers or veterinarians.

"You just don't stop and go to the house do that anymore," he said. "You can'tfunction without them."

Alltel Wireless customers will become AT&T customers over the next coupleof weeks as the two companies wrap up their merger. AT&T acquired Alltel 'swireless business in 18 states, including all of North Dakota, and has beenpreparing Alltel subscribers to switch service since last year.

"That migration will happen from April 29 to mid-to-late May," said HardmonWilliams, vice president and general manager for AT&T's northern plainsmarkets. "We believe it will be pretty seamless for them."

AT&T employees at stores around the state have been helping crowds ofsubscribers transfer data from their old phones to AT&T-compatible phones orbuy new devices since April 29. Area Retail Sales Manager Garrett Kunz saidthe Seventh Street store has had about 1,000 visitors a day since Friday. Thecompany also has sent workers from other markets to help out.

"It has been very, very steady," Kunz said.

Alltel subscribers had the option to exchange their phones for new AT&Tcompatible devices for free or buy a more expensive device. Subscribers who

did not choose a new model were sent devices comparable to their old ones.

New customers will receive messages on their mobile phones or landlinephones telling them when their Alltel service will stop and their AT&T servicewill begin.

AT&T's wireless stores will have staff available to help new subscriberstransfer data from their old devices to their new ones and handle sales forAT&T-compatible devices that were not available here before the merger.

"There's been an extraordinary amount of demand for our more sophisticatedphones," said Williams, who called the new device offerings one of the maincustomer benefits of the merger.

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AT&T spokesman Chris Bauer said the service switch will affect 1.6 millioncustomers in 79 service areas, including North Dakota, South Dakota,northwest and southwest Minnesota and most of Montana.

Another telecommunications company operating in North Dakota is part of a

separate merger.

The Federal Communications Commission in March approved the acquisitionof Denver-based Qwest by CenturyLink, based in Monroe, La. According tothe company, it is the fourth-largest exchange telephone company in thecountry with 7 million access lines and 2.2 million broadband customers.

The combined company will be the third-largest telecom company in thecountry and will use the CenturyLink name. North Dakota native and retiredAdmiral William A. Owens will be the chairman of its board.

"Regardless of the size of the industry, personal relationships still matter,"said Public Service Commissioner Kevin Cramer. "No one's been a biggerpatriot for North Dakota than Bill Owens."

CenturyLink Markets Development Manager Carrie Amann said thatcustomers will not see any changes until possibly August and will be notifiedbefore they happen.

"We're still going to be operating business as usual until we become fullyintegrated," she said. "I think the big benefit will be the launch of more DSL

sites and improved services."CenturyLink will acquire 160 employees and about 100,000 lines from Qwestin North Dakota, Amann said.