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By Colin Gibbs
Story posted: March 7, 2008 - 2:10 pm EDT

Alltel Wireless, the nation’s No. 5 operator, is the latest to join the unlimited-calling bandwagon, quietly launching an all-you-can-talk plan for $100 a month.

The Little Rock, Ark.-based network operator followed its bigger rivals, all of whom have launched variations on the unlimited theme in recent weeks. Alltel’s plan -- like those of AT&T Mobility and Verizon Wireless -- is voice only and includes standard features such as voicemail and long distance.

But the plan doesn’t beat those from T-Mobile USA Inc., which includes unlimited text- and picture-messaging, and Sprint Nextel Corp., which includes data and multimedia content. Alltel said the offering is available to existing subscribers, but prepaid customers and smartphone users cannot take advantage of the plan.

The company did not tout the new plan with a press release; executives continued to push Alltel’s “My Circle” plans, which allow unlimited calling among a limited number of phones.