At least three groups of private equity companies are pursuing Alltel, the fifth largest carrier in the US. Blackstone Group and Providence Equity Partners, TPG Capital L.L.C. and the private-equity operation of Goldman Sachs Group Inc, and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. and the Carlyle Group are in the running reports RCR Wireless quoting from the WSJ. Alltel is an unusual acquisition target because it is doing well and valued highly, so the odds of a deal have been put at 50-50 by people close to the process.