Alltel to plug SkyMail for businesses

Alltel Communications L.L.C. is teaming up with Pacific DataVision to offer a voice messaging system targeted at the business sector.
SkyMail will be available across Alltel’s wireless network that includes more than 13 million customers in 34 states, according to a news release.
“We are pleased to have a world class operator like Alltel to deliver the time-and-cost-saving benefits of SkyMail to its business customers throughout the country,” John Pescatore, CEO and president of PDV, said in the release.
SkyMail allows a user to communicate with as many as 50 people at a time. It is a voice-to-e-mail service. Users speak a message into their mobile phone and then the message is sent to the recipient’s e-mail as an audio file, according to PDV.
“Given the dynamics in today’s business environment, it’s important for us to continue to offer an expanded portfolio of solutions to our business customers,” said David Maddox, Alltel’s VP of product marketing.
SkyMail uses text messaging and therefore works on most cellphones. Alltel said the cost of the new service is $15 per month.