Samsung lands handset deal with Alltel

Samsung this week announced it has expanded its handset presence in the U.S., adding Alltel to its rooster of the CDMA device customers. Alltel has begun selling the SCH-n330, a youth-targeted handset that vibrates to the rhythm of the device’s ringtone.

Samsung now has CDMA and GSM handsets in the stores of all of four Tier I operators, and is now working its way through the Tier II operators. Any new deals will help as Samsung is beginning to lag the market in shipments, according to American Technology Research. Samsung’s global handsets sales are down 4% year-over-year for the fourth quarter, further widening the gap between itself and No. 2 manufacturer Motorola.

Samsung does have a jump on 3G in the U.S., however. Samsung is supplying EV-DO handsets for Verizon Wireless’s new V Cast service, and Cingular is currently testing Samsung’s UMTS handsets in anticipation of a consumer service launch over its 3G network next year.