Simple. Part of the agreement is that, due to contracts in force, the GSM contracts/handsets are required to keep service in the manner they were activated. This means that the coverage must be supplied via a non-roaming roaming-agreement of sorts. This means that all Alltel has to do is go through and retrofit the GSM towers with the CDMA relays and they are in business with an instant customer base. Very good deal...on the other "parallel dimension reality" it COULD mean that on the off chance (and a cold one at that) Alltel could aquire GSM technology as well fopr international romaing just as Verizon has begun to dabble. Also means that they could sign the roaming agreements as the other big dogs have and PRESTO instant parall...
(continues)