Alltel's Android roster continues to grow

After recently adding four devices to its Android lineup, Alltel is becoming quite proud of its smartphone roster. So proud, in fact, that it issued a press release today simply to talk its Android devices up a bit more.

It took the wireless provider longer than some of its competitors to get started, but now the snowball is growing. Alltel kicked off the year with the LG Axis and most recently began offering the Samsung Gem and the HTC Merge. With price points that start at nearly free, customers have multiple manufacturers and user interfaces to choose from.

It's worth pointing out that almost all of Alltel's products are running Android 2.1 or higher, which is an impressive fact that not many other carriers can boast. Even with most of the specs bordering on midrange at best, at least they have access to much of the Android Market's applications.

And in a sign that the carrier wants to be taken more seriously, Alltel now sells the Motorola Milestone X.

Known more commonly as the Droid X (on Verizon), the smartphone runs Android 2.2 and features a 4.3-inch touch screen, an 8-megapixel camera, and 8GB internal storage with room for another 32GB via MicroSD cards.

Although the company doesn't yet offer an Android tablet, I would not rule out the possibility of it acquiring one of the upcoming Samsung models. And considering it was among the only U.S. carriers to sell the Desire, the Wildfire,and the Merge, an HTC Flyer might be in the cards.

Finally, if you're wondering how Alltel can still exist after its 2008 merger with Verizon Wireless, here's the scoop. Yes, Verizon did acquire most of Alltel's assets and customers, but due to FCC divestiture rules, Big Red had to shed Alltel spectrum (and customers) in select markets. Atlantic Tele-Network ended up acquiring 26 of those markets, and continues to offer wireless service under the Alltel name. That is the Alltel you see you today.