By Allie Winter
RCR Wireless - November 20, 2008
Alltel Communications L.L.C customers can now get coupons and specials delivered
right to their handsets. The carrier announced the launch of Alltel Perks, a free
downloadable-service that sends not only deals, but customized content such as sports
scores, weather, trivia and more to a user. Alltel Perks, developed by Mobile Posse, can
be downloaded from the Alltel Shop and immediately begins delivering content and
specials from local merchants only when the device is idle.
“The launch of Alltel Perks represents an innovative way for our customers to receive
offers and information that is of interest, while providing marketers a powerful vehicle
for reaching potential customers wherever they may be,” said Jeff Giard, Alltel’s vice
president of product development and mobile advertising. “As handsets continue to
evolve into entertainment, media and content delivery devices, Alltel continues to
provide our customers with the most useful services and applications, such as Alltel
Perks.”
Alltel subscribers can customize the application to deliver content based on ZIP code, age, gender or customer preference. Coupons and specials can also be triggered for a certain time of day or week. For example, a customer could stand to receive a $2 off coupon for a lunch special at a local restaurant, which would get delivered at 11 a.m. To use a delivered coupon or discount customers show delivered message to an employee at the location displayed on the handset.
Alltel Perks is similar to Sprint Nextel Corp.’s “One Click” service. That application
allows users to choose “bubbles,” which boil down to areas of interest in certain content
that can be delivered to the phone in forms of updates, sports highlights, news, etc.