Short Take: Alltel offers phone credit, wireless guarantee

Alltel, a primarily rural communications and wireless service provider, is offering its wireless customers a $100 credit toward a new mobile phone every two years. In an effort to keep customers, Verizon Wireless recently offered a similar plan. Alltel also announced an "Always Up2Date Guarantee" to analyze customers' phone use every six months to determine whether Alltel could offer them cost savings under a different calling plan. Alltel offers consumer services in 24 states.