The local switch from Alltel to Verizon Wireless is almost complete.

According to a news release this week, Alltel customers in Albert Lea will begin receiving their first Verizon Wireless bill when the company completes its billing integration in mid-October.

Around that same time, the local Alltel store at 2718 Bridge Avenue will be branded as Verizon Wireless.

The release stated most Alltel wireless devices will work on the Verizon Wireless network after the conversion — scheduled for the weekend of Oct. 17 — and Alltel customers will keep their same phone number. Existing Alltel contracts will remain in effect until a customer changes to a Verizon Wireless service plan after the billing conversion.

Verizon Wireless will continue to support Alltel’s services for existing customers; however, following the conversion, new customers activating a new line will only be offered Verizon products, according to the release.

This will be the second brand transition for Alltel customers who started out under the umbrella of Midwest Wireless. Alltel purchased Midwest Wireless in 2007, and now customers are facing a brand transition again.

News of the switch to Verizon Wireless came in January, when the company announced it had completed its purchase of Alltel Corp. from Atlantis Holdings LLC.

The purchase expanded Verizon Wireless network coverage to about 290 million people and increased its customers by 12.9 million people, according to a release at the time.