Alltel Launches WiFi Access

Alltel jumped into the increasingly competitive WiFi business yesterday, when the cell phone carrier announced a flexible new wireless broadband service that increases its customers’ access to the Internet, and ties the Alltel WiFi service to standard EVDO data services.

Through a deal with Boingo Wireless – a network of existing WiFi hotspots – Alltel WiFi will provide access to “thousands of hotspots throughout North and South America,� according to the company’s press release. This new category of Internet access can now be coupled with Alltel’s Wireless Internet service (nnn) starting at $9.99 a month, to provide more options for laptop users.

In other words, Alltel subscribers can now augment their existing Wireless Internet service with a faster, more reliable WiFi connection when within range of a WiFi hotspot. Also, for those who don’t require a long-term data contract, Alltel WiFi is available on a prepaid basis, with access cards available for $19.99 per week or $9.99 per day.