Element Mobile
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Telecommunications |
| Founded | 2009 |
| Headquarters | Central Wisconsin |
| Products | Wireless |
| Parent | Wisconsin RSA #7 Limited Partnership |
| Website | www.ElementMobile.com |
Element Mobile is a startup CDMA-Based cellular service provider headquartered in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin launching in January 2011. Element Mobile is the re-branded effort by the Partnership that manages Wisconsin RSA #7, formerly marketed as Alltel in Central Wisconsin.
Network
Element Mobile is a carrier using CDMA technology providing regional distribution. Voice services will be offered through the existing with new High-speed wireless services will be offered initially through CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Rev. A with equipment being provided by Ericsson[1] with future speed enhancements being provided by LTE technology. Backend technologies are being provided by Interop Technologies[2]
Opening
Element Mobile went live for previous Alltel Customers on January 8, 2011. The company has struggled with providing cell phone service, text messaging, internet, and email, and has had difficulty providing customer support during its first days of service.[3] Emails to the company go unanswered and callers receive a message stating to call back later.[4] Some customers have been without cell service for several days.[5] "We have successfully completed the network upgrade this weekend," said Dan Kowalke, director of markeing for Element. "Some customers are experiencing challenges with that network upgrade that we are working diligently to address."[4] Element COO Jerry Wilke expects the problems will be resolved within a week.[5] Prior to the roll-out of service, customers were promised replacement phones, information mailers and instructions for voicemail and data services, and on that day, many customers still did not have a phone, voicemail or Data service. In many cases, phones that were sent out to customers, were promoted as "new" replacements however, the customers received lesser quality remakes of the more reliable versions purchased in original Alltel contracts. Due to incredibly high levels of downtime, service outages and lack of data coverage on the first day of official operation, the first impression Element Mobile provided its current and potential customers appeared to be inconsistent with its promises and unreliable. Extreme dissatisfaction was endured by many customers who were not given a choice of carrier during the Verizon/Alltel buyout, and were forced into service agreements with Element Mobile. Flooded by calls, the Element Mobile team was unprepared to provide support to its clients and its customer service phone system began failing. Failing to anticipate service failures Element Mobile took no steps inform customers of the possible service failures and left them uninformed throughout the transition period. Element Mobile fears potential customers will learn the truth about their inability to keep good on their promises so they hide the truth from their customers by removing comments and facts about them listed on popular websites like Wikipedia.
References
- ^ http://www.tradingmarkets.com/news/stock-alert/ericy_ericsson-to-deploy-cdma-network-for-element-mobile-882165.html
- ^ http://www.interoptechnologies.com/en/news/2010/10_04-28_element_mobile.php
- ^ Molly Newman, Nick Paulson and Nathaniel Shuda (January 12, 2011). "Long response times, network problems for Element Mobile anger customers". Wausau Daily Herald online. Retrieved January 12, 2011.
- ^ a b "Element Mobile cell phone service frustrates customers". Daily Tribune Online. January 12, 2011. Retrieved January 12, 2011.
- ^ a b "Customers affected by cell service outages after Alltel/Element Mobile switch". WOAW.com. January 11, 2011.
External links
http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php/1689587-Element-Mobile-Grrrr/page1