To Help Weather the Storm, Verizon Wireless Offers Customers Mobile Web 2.0, TXT Alerts and Get It Now

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BEDMINSTER, NJ — As demonstrated with Hurricanes Charley and Frances and now Hurricane Ivan, weather conditions can change rapidly, so it's important to have the latest weather-related news and information. In addition to Verizon Wireless' efforts keeping customers connected during the storm as well as relief efforts in their wake, Verizon Wireless offers customers several options to help them stay up-to-date on the latest weather news and information, from virtually anywhere with their wireless phones. Options include The Weather Channel® and Weathernews (www.weathernow.com) using Verizon Wireless' Mobile Web 2.0SM, TXT alerts and Get It Now® downloadable applications.

Mobile Web 2.0

Verizon Wireless' Mobile Web 2.0 customers can receive current conditions and exclusive extended forecasts from The Weather Channel for 98,000 locations around the world. In addition to these important reports, Verizon Wireless customers can also view weather-related, regional news articles for the U.S., detailing the weather's impact on cities throughout the nation. To access The Weather Channel forecasts, customers simply press the "Web" key on their Mobile Web 2.0- enabled handsets, select the Weather category from the "VZW Today" homepage, then choose the "TWC Weather" option from the menu. Customers can search for weather forecasts by name or zip code.

Mobile Web 2.0 customers can also quickly and simply access current and future weather conditions from Weathernews (www.weathernow.com, including weather information for over 60,000 forecast locations around the world, current conditions, 5-day forecasts and radar images. The My Weather feature allows customers to save one city as their favorite location for quick reference. Customers can also search for weather and forecasts by city name, zip code or browse the major city list. To access Weathernews' graphical and easy-to-use service, simply press the "Web" key on a Mobile Web 2.0-enabled handset, select the Weather category from the "VZW Today" homepage, then select "Weathernews" from the menu. Customers can choose from the My Weather, U.S. Weather, World Weather, or Information categories.

Mobile Web 2.0 is available for $4.99 monthly access, plus airtime fees, and can be self-subscribed, eliminating the need for customers to call customer service or visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store to sign up for the service. Customers can register for the service right from their Mobile Web 2.0-capable handsets.

TXT Alerts

Verizon Wireless customers can also have weather forecasts delivered right to their TXT Messaging-capable phones by signing up to receive TXT alerts from The Weather Channel. To register, Verizon Wireless customers simply log on to www.vtext.com, Verizon Wireless' TXT Messaging companion Web site, select TXT Alerts, click on The Weather Channel icon under Travel and Weather category. Then, customers simply enter their zip code and select how often they would like to receive alerts. Verizon Wireless customers can pay as they go for TXT Alerts, which are just $0.02 for each message received or select from several bundled plans, including $2.99 per month for 100 messages, $4.99 per month for 250 messages and $9.99 per month for 1,000 messages sent or received.

Get It Now

Verizon Wireless customers with select Get It Now-enabled phones can visit the getGOING shopping aisle to access weather information from the nation's most trusted weather sources to stay informed about weather conditions, tide information, severe weather alerts and Marine Advisories. In its visually-rich Get It Now application, Weathernews offers Verizon Wireless customers unique city skylines with real sky conditions, 7-day forecasts, radar images and an opportunity to set TXT alerts based on forecasts or severe weather to be sent directly to their phones. Download charges for Get It Now applications vary and airtime charges apply when browsing, downloading and using certain applications. Customers need a Get It Now-enabled handset and Verizon Wireless digital service to access the Get It Now virtual store.

Recent Hurricane Preparedness and Relief Efforts

After Hurricanes Charley and Frances, thousands of residents in the hardest hit areas in Florida turned to Verizon Wireless Emergency Calling Centers to make free phone calls and send emails, and to charge and/or service their phones. A large number of loaned phones are still being used by federal and local emergency response agencies. Verizon Wireless also provided free airtime to victims and emergency services personnel.

As Hurricane Ivan approaches, Verizon Wireless offers residents from New Orleans to Tampa, FL, the following emergency communication tips:

  •  Keep wireless phone batteries and extras charged whenever possible, such as with a vehicle charger or an outlet with safe, available electricity.
  • Keep phones, batteries, chargers and other equipment in a dry, accessible location.
  • Maintain a list of emergency phone numbers and program them into your phone.
  • If having to dial 9-1-1, remember to hit the "Send" key and state your location.
  • Use TXT Messaging as an alternative way of getting quick messages to individuals or groups.

Families and friends outside of the storm area hoping to reach victims also are urged to first call the American Red Cross at 866-GET-INFO, rather than trying to call the victim directly, to relieve demand on the wireless and landline networks in the storm-struck areas.

B-Roll illustrating Verizon Wireless' hurricane relief and assistance efforts across Florida and the Gulf region can be found at www.thenewsmarket.com/verizonwireless under Media Assets.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless is the nation's leading provider of wireless communications. The company has the largest nationwide wireless voice and data network and 40.4 million customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com. To receive broadcast-quality video footage of Verizon Wireless operations, log onto www.thenewsmarket.com/verizonwireless.  

About Mobile Web 2.0
Mobile Web 2.0 gives Verizon Wireless customers access to news, tools and information from the nation's top content providers. The simple, intuitive format makes it easy to access content from many categories, including News, Sports, Weather, Entertainment, Business, Email and More. Mobile Web 2.0 can be self-subscribed, eliminating the need for customers to call customer service or visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store to sign up for the service.

About Get It Now
Get It Now from Verizon Wireless puts a virtual software store inside a wireless phone and lets customers download applications over the air and purchase them directly from their phones. Virtual shopping aisles, including getGAMES, getTONES, getGOING, getPIX, getFUN and getMESSAGING, are organized to help customers find what they want, when they want it.

Get It Now is a registered trademark of Verizon Wireless.

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