Alltel signed inter-carrier MMS messaging agreements with Cingular Wireless and Verizon Wireless. The deals are Alltel's first MMS interoperability agreements. Verizon Wireless has signed MMS deals with Cingular Wireless, Leap Wireless, and U.S. Cellular. Cingular has forged such deals with Verizon Wireless, Sprint, T-Mobile USA, Leap Wireless, and U.S. Cellular. Analysts and insiders claim that inter-carrier MMS is the key to accelerating adoption of advanced messaging services like picture messaging. SMS did not take off in the US market until the carrier established interoperability deals.
For more on Alltel's MMS deals:
- see this press release