Alltel Wireless subscribers in portions of 22 states will continue to receive Alltel's wireless services, as these territories were not included in the company's recent sale to Verizon Wireless.

Current Alltel customers will still have access to Alltel's wireless network, features such as "My Circle" and Anytime Plan Changes, as well as Alltel's latest handsets and technologies.

As part of the Verizon Wireless-Alltel Wireless merger, which closed Jan. 9, Verizon agreed to sell -- or divest -- 105 wireless markets.

In total, the divested territories operate in 22 states nationwide with annual revenue of $1.5 billion, serve 2.2 million customers, employ over 2,500 workers and operate more than 120 retail locations.

Alltel Wireless remains committed to providing a high-quality wireless experience to its customers.

All handsets will continue to work as normal, and business and residential subscribers will not have any changes in service or rate plans.

"My Account," Alltel's online account management service -- where customers can pay their bill, manage "My Circle" numbers and add lines -- will continue to operate as normal.

In addition, local television, print and online ads featuring Alltel's spokesman Chad will remain in heavy rotation.

Alltel is continuing to provide service in states including Alabama, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia and Wyoming.

Merger information and updates are available at http://www.alltel.com.

Customers with questions regarding service can visit their nearest retail store or call Customer Service at 1-800-Alltel-1.

Alltel Wireless continues to offer its "My Circle" feature, giving customers unlimited, free calling to and from any five, 10 or 20 numbers on any network, including a combination of home phone, office or wireless numbers located anywhere in the U.S.

Alltel Wireless was also the first to offer Anytime Plan Changes, giving customers the flexibility to change their calling plans at any time, without extending their contract.

Alltel Wireless and Txtstation recently expanded their existing relationship to provide in-venue SMS fan polls for 10 select Alltel-sponsored basketball properties (see story).