Free Services On Verizon Wireless Phones Help Southern California Parents And Teens Manage Usage Costs Daily

IRVINE, CA — Text messages and long phone calls are fun ways for teens to stay connected, but their parents also expect family members to be mindful of the costs for all of this fun. Parents can eliminate the worry by using simple tools developed by Verizon Wireless, owner and operator of America's most reliable wireless network.

"Many parents and their teens rely on wireless phones to stay connected as daily life gets more complicated," said Marni Walden, regional president of Verizon Wireless. "Yet while their phones offer some security and safety, they want to make sure they stay within their family's budget. Knowing the size of their minute and TXT Messaging packages, plus using Verizon Wireless' tools for tracking usage, can help teens take responsibility and practice managing real world costs." Walden cited the following free services and multiple pricing options designed to help southern California parents track and control the usage and costs of their teens' wireless services:

• Tracking The Cost of a Teen's Text Messages. By dialing #DATA (#3282) for free from their teen's cell phone, Verizon Wireless customers can hear details, which are updated three times a day, about all domestic and international TXT Messages sent and received since the beginning of their billing cycle. Customers may also request a free text message to their teen's cell phone with this usage information.
• Tracking The Cost of a Teen's Cell Phone Calls. By dialing #BAL (225) for free from their teen's cell phone, or by calling 800-922-0204 from any phone, Verizon Wireless customers can hear information about approximate minutes used and minutes currently available on their teen's account. In addition, the #BAL service can send a free TXT Message to their teen's phone with current balance information and last payment details, including the amount paid and the date the payment was received.
• Lowering Text Message Costs on a Teen's Cell Phone. Parents with teens who are frequent users of text, picture or video messaging can reduce their monthly costs by avoiding pay-as-you-go fees and opting for a flat-fee, unlimited package. For a $10 monthly access fee, Verizon Wireless customers can get unlimited TXT, Picture and Video Messages to any other Verizon Wireless customer from within the company's National Enhanced Services Rate & Coverage Area - and get 250 additional messages to send to non-Verizon Wireless customers. Airtime applies to Picture and Video Messages. Today, Verizon Wireless has more than 47 million customers.
• Lowering the Cost of a Teen's Cell Phone Calls. Parents can reduce additional charges by signing up on a Family SharePlan® starting at $69.99 monthly access for 2 lines and get additional lines for just $9.99 monthly access per line. Customers can talk with any of our more than 47 million customers anytime from within America's Choice^SM Coverage Area, without using any allowance minutes (this calling area covers 289 million people in the United States). In addition, Verizon Wireless customers enjoy unlimited talk to anyone during night and weekend hours from within the America's Choice Coverage Area.

Verizon Wireless customers can access #BAL and #DATA at no extra cost 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The call is toll and airtime free.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 47.4 million voice and data 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 preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.  

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