Thanks everyone. I didn't realize this would be so complicated. I have kind of decided to dig out my old Palm IIIe and ressurect it. I think I will just use it until this Verizon/Alltel thing gets all said and done, then see what happens.
Our big problem is where we are working. We are on the Navajo reservation in Northern AZ. There is absolutely NO VZ signal here. We had (and still carry) VZ before we got here, but since it didn't work, we had to get the Alltell phones. Not sure when this contract will end or how long we will be here. We don't want to buy VZ phones now, because we can't use them here. If we buy Altell phones and leave here before the merger is completed, we won't be able to use them on the VZ network after we leave the reservation unless we modify our calling plan. But, when we leave the reservation, we don't want to continue to carry 2 phone contracts and will revert to VZ.
This probably makes as much sense as a screen door on a submarine, but thanks again for all your input.