Is Your Teen's Wireless Bill Making Your Head Spin?

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

"Parents and teenagers rely heavily on wireless phones to stay connected these days," said Tracy Nolan, president—Wisconsin/Illinois Region, Verizon Wireless. "Through free services and pricing options that Verizon Wireless offers, now both parents and teenagers can make sure they are staying within the family budget. Knowing how many minutes they've used and how many text messages they've sent or received can help teenagers be more responsible and mindful of costs."

Nolan cites the following free services and pricing options designed to help both parents and teens track and control the usage and costs of wireless services:

  • Tracking the Cost of a Teen's Text Messages. By dialing #DATA (#3282) at no charge from their teen's wireless handset, both parents and teens can hear details, which are updated three times daily, about the number of domestic and international text messages sent and received since the beginning of the billing cycle. Customers also can request that a free text message with this usage information be sent to their wireless handset.
  • Tracking the Cost of a Teen's Wireless Phone Calls. By dialing #BAL (#225) at no charge from their teen's wireless handset, or by calling 800-922-0204 from any phone, parents and teens can hear information about approximate minutes used and minutes currently available on their accounts. In addition, the #BAL service can send a free text message to their handsets with current balance information and last payment details, including the amount paid and the date the payment was received.
  • Lowering Messaging Costs on a Teen's Wireless Phone. Parents with teens who are frequent users of TXT, 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 $5 monthly access fee, Verizon Wireless customers can send and receive unlimited TXT, Picture and Video Messages to any other Verizon Wireless customer from within the company's National Enhanced Services Rate and Coverage Area and send and receive 50 additional messages to non-Verizon Wireless customers. Airtime applies to TXT, Picture and Video Messages.
  • Lowering the Cost of a Teen's Wireless Phone Calls. Parents also can reduce charges by signing up for a Family SharePlan®, starting at $69.99 monthly access for two lines, and get additional lines for just $9.99 monthly access per line. With this plan, customers can talk with any of our more than 47 million customers any time from within America's ChoiceSM Coverage Area without using any allowance minutes. In addition, Verizon Wireless customers can enjoy unlimited minutes during nights and weekends from within the America's Choice coverage area.

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, N.J., 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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