http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=018&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&viewitem=&item=280046460235&rd=1&rd=1

This is the link to the phone I just bought.  I verified with Alltel the ESN number before I bought it.  I just asked Alltel if the ESN number would work for me.  They said yes so I bought it.  I have bought other phones and as long as the phone said Cellularone or Alltel and it was E911 capable, they usually will activiate it for me.

I just call up the 800 number and get to technical support.  I call on a land line in a location that the cell phone will work.  I give them the ESN number, they walk me through the number programming on the phone, make a test call and receive and I am working.  No need to renew contract to get special price on phone, you just need to decide on what you want to spend for a used phone off of e-bay.