In what looks like an attempt to draw in more customers to its wireless data services, Alltel is offering subscribers the opportunity to sample them for one day. The $1.49 fee buys 24 hours of access to Alltel's Axcess mobile Internet content such as games, news, and sports information. Will it work?

I think one of the biggest problems with the mobile Web is that the majority of people think that it's limited to what they see when they launch the Web portal on their regular handset. In a brief survey of the major carrier web sites, it looks like access to the main deck costs on average $5 to $15 per month. This lets you find basic news, weather, and sports information, as well as download (i.e., pay for) wallpapers, ringtones, themes and the like.

Obviously, paying $1.49 for one day isn't a painful amount. Compared to Alltel's standard fee of $5.99 per month, though, it runs a pretty big percentage. Alltel did not say what would happen if customers who use the day pass decide to sign up for the monthly service. Will they then have to pay the whole $5.99, or can they get the rest of the month for $4.50?

Most of the carriers are now bundling the mobile Internet and messaging plans together. For $19.99, Alltel combines its Axcess Web service with a huge messaging bundle. AT&T/Cingular does something similar with its MEdiaNet services, and $39.99 buys you unlimited mobile Web and messaging. Verizon Wireless charges $15 per month for its V CAST VPAK Web services.

Any way you look at it, the day pass from Alltel is designed to get customers to spend more money with Alltel. The question is, will they bite, and if so, how hard? I am sure many will check it out, and perhaps some will be convinced that the services are worthwhile to sign up for on a monthly basis.