Alltel Wireless Sees Generational Shift in Phone Usage
Sunday, March 4th, 2012
According to a 2010 study by the National Center for Health Statistics reported in USA Today, 26.5 percent of Georgia households with adults and children aged 18 or older rely on wireless phone service as their primary home phone. The percentage climbs to 33.5 percent for households with children under 18 years of age.
"We're seeing a generational shift with younger adults and children who don't relate to having a home phone," said Byron Williams, retail sales manager for Alltel Wireless in southern Georgia.
"Whether it's for business or personal use, people are using their cell phones more and in more ways – for scheduling, entertainment, social networking and communications."
Larger screens, touch screens and third-party apps that are customized for mobile use have made the experience of using a smart phone more fun. That has led to widespread adoption of activities such as video streaming, networking and gaming.
"Angry Birds was big last year. An application that is surging in popularity now is Pinterest, which lets you organize and share links and information on whatever subject you enjoy whether it's recipes or workout tips. Think of it like you would an old cork bulletin board," Williams said.
A Local Wireless Carrier
Alltel Wireless has been in the southwestern Georgia since the early launch of wireless communications in the 1980s. Headquartered in Little Rock, Ark., Alltel Wireless provides wireless telecommunications services in six states - Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Illinois, Ohio and Idaho. The company is a subsidiary of Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATNI).
"What sets us apart from other wireless companies is our personal service. We still take payments in our local stores and there is no fee for that. Many of our sales reps have been with us for more than 15 years. Some of our customers have been with us longer than that," Williams said.
Williams oversees nine area stores located in Albany, Americus, Bainbridge, Cordele, Douglas, Dublin, Fitzgerald, Thomaston and Thomasville. In addition to these retail locations, Alltel Wireless services are also sold in the area through independent agents that typically focus on the small business market.
In February 2012, Alltel activated a new digital cell site in Dougherty County to improve voice and high-speed data service in the area. The company has made a commitment to improving service across the state of Georgia and is making significant investments in its network and systems.
"We're fortunate to offer CDMA network technology, which is widely known for providing the best coverage both inside buildings and as you travel," Williams said.
Supporting the Community
All nine Alltel Wireless locations in Williams' territory are participating in Relay for Life events, which are sponsored by the American Cancer Society. The fundraising events typically are held overnight, can last up to 24 hours in length and involve taking turns running or walking around a track or park. The Albany event is scheduled for April 20.
"We like to be involved in a variety of community events. Most of our employees live in the communities they serve," Williams said.
It's part of the local touch that Alltel Wireless brings to its national wireless service. More information on Alltel Wireless is available at alltelwireless.com.
