Verizon Wireless is accusing Alltel Corp, the no. 5 wireless carrier in the country, of false advertising. According to the lawsuit which was filed in the federal court in Richmond, VA., only Alltel provides wireless customers a way to modify their calling plans without the need to extend the term of their contracts.

It was not until early October when Verizon Wireless announced the plan to market their new package which allows wireless customers to modify their wireless plans without even extending their contracts.

After Verizon Wireless made their announcement, they contacted Alltel about their advertisement and asked them to make the necessary changes. Alltel allegedly complied with the request.

Andrew Moreau who is a spokesman for Alltel Corp. said that they edited their ad to have room for Verizon’s position. The ad that Verizon filed with their complaint was an older version of the one they officially released to the public.

Nevertheless, Verizon Wireless argues that Alltel still aired their unedited version all throughout 2007 and possibly through 2008.

Verizon Wireless informed Alltel of these falsehoods and was led to believe that the unedited ad would not be aired after Thanksgiving. Nonetheless, Verizon Wireless claims that the unedited ad was still being aired and that it misleadingly contends that Alltel is the only wireless company that allows their customers to change their wireless plans without having to extend their contracts.

Verizon Wireless refuses to make further comments other than these facts.

Alltel Corp. and Verizon Wireless are not the only companies who offer the ability to change plans with contract extension. Sprint Nextel Corp. announced that they too have this option.