I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had an incoming call on my mobile phone that was from an unfamiliar number with an even more unfamiliar area code. Alltel has come up with a simple solution, one that I wish all phone manufacturers would allow and all carriers would employ. They are offering “City ID” which will identify the “location of incoming phone numbers by displaying the city and state assigned to virtually any landline or wireless phone number in North America.” Pretty nifty, no?

Imagine a world with no more of this: “Do I know someone in 972? Where is 972?” Well, maybe you’ll still be wondering some of the same things.

According to their release, “The application, initially available on the LG AX275, will be available on additional Alltel phones in the near future. At launch, Alltel Wireless is offering a free seven-day trial of City ID, and later devices will include a 15-day free trial. After the trial ends, the application will be available for a monthly charge of $1.99. The application is pre-installed on the phone in Alltel’s Axcess Shop, so no download is required.”

This photo has nothing in particular to do with this announcement, I just find Alltel’s commercials amusing.  

Read the entire press release after the jump…

Alltel Wireless first carrier to introduce enhanced caller ID feature

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The origin of unknown calls will no longer be a mystery as Alltel Wireless, America’s largest network, today announced that City ID is now exclusively available on select Alltel phones. City ID identifies the location of incoming phone numbers by displaying the city and state assigned to virtually any landline or wireless phone number in North America.

The application, initially available on the LG AX275, will be available on additional Alltel phones in the near future. At launch, Alltel Wireless is offering a free seven-day trial of City ID, and later devices will include a 15-day free trial. After the trial ends, the application will be available for a monthly charge of $1.99. The application is pre-installed on the phone in Alltel’s Axcess Shop, so no download is required.

City ID automatically matches any incoming phone number with the U.S.-based city and state where the number is “registered.” The application displays the results along with the incoming number, providing customers with information that can assist in identifying calls. City ID, an application from Cequint, the leading developer of Caller ID technology for wireless phones, can identify more than 15,000 cities, towns and neighborhoods, providing users with a tool to identify both local and long distance callers.

“City ID will provide our customers with additional control over the calls that they choose to answer,” said Wade McGill, senior vice president of wireless products for Alltel Wireless. “Customers frequently do not recognize an incoming phone number, and this application will provide the additional information to help users decide if they want to answer the call.”

“It’s human nature to want more control over how and with whom we communicate,” said Rick Hennessey, CEO of Cequint. “City ID empowers mobile customers who have been frustrated trying to guess the locations of unknown area codes and numbers.”

Alltel Wireless offers exclusive features including Celltop, Alltel’s exclusive, patent-pending technology providing customers an easier way to access, manage and organize a wide range of information already available on their phones; “My Circle,” allowing customers to choose who they call for free – any 10 numbers, any network; and Anytime Plan Changes, giving customers the flexibility to change their rate plan any time, without extending their contract.

About Alltel Wireless
Alltel is owner and operator of the nation’s largest wireless network and has 12 million customers. For more information please visit www.alltel.com.