Alltel Corp. will allow its wireless customers to make free, unlimited calls to 10 telephone numbers of their choice, even those belonging to other wireless providers.
Alltel, the country's fifth largest wireless carrier, will offer its "My Circle" program beginning Monday to any customer who has a monthly rate plan of $59.95 or higher.
Unlike other companies that offer unlimited mobile-to-mobile minutes to other customers, Alltel's plan allows a person to pick out 10 frequently called numbers, regardless of carrier.
Customers can change their 10 selected numbers as often as they want, said Kevin Beebe, Alltel's group president of operations. The idea arose after Alltel surveyed customers about what irritated them about their service plan, he said.
Alltel officials see the new plan as a potential revenue booster, as its average monthly bill per customer is now $51.
Little Rock-based Alltel has about 10.6 million customers in 34 states.