Company puts customers in control

Media Contact Info

Ken Muche
Ken.Muche@VerizonWireless.com
949-286-8193

05/23/2008

IRVINE, CA — In the first quarter of 2008, Verizon Wireless delivered nearly 58 billion text messages from coast to coast. But for those looking to control text messaging, such as on their child’s cellphone, Verizon Wireless offers numerous consumer-friendly options to block some or all text messages.

These options include:

• Blocking: Customers can log into www.vtext.com or text.vzw.com using their mobile number and password, choose preferences, then text blocking, then select from several options —

1. Block all messages from the Web/Internet (where most spam is generated)
2. Block all messages from e-mail
3. Block messages from up to 15 specific domain names or e-mail addresses.
4. Allow only texts sent to a nickname@vtext.com.  

• Premium SMS Blocking: Log into “My Verizon” on www.verizonwireless.com, choose features, then choose add/delete to block only text messages for short code campaigns that involve premium charges.
• V-BLOCK: This option prevents a specific mobile number/cellphone from sending or receiving text messages. The only messages the customer will receive are voicemail alerts.

Customers can also add any of these options by calling Customer Service.

Verizon Wireless’ long history of leading the wireless industry of consumer-friendly firsts includes:

• …when Early Termination Fees (ETFs) remained unchanged no matter how long consumers had been under a service contract, Verizon Wireless was the first to announce and remains the only national service provider offering declining ETFs that decrease $5 for every month a customer has been under contract.
• …when an effort to publish wireless phone numbers in a public directory was under discussion, Verizon Wireless publicly condemned the initiative as “a dumb idea” and reasserted its commitment to keep its customers’ numbers private.
• …when wireless consumers had to pay for service if they cancelled during a “trial period”, Verizon Wireless became and remains the only service provider to stop billing for those calls if the customer takes their number to another service provider.
• …when wireless consumers had to give up their number if they switched providers, Verizon Wireless led the way for change and now consumers can take their phone number with them when they switch.
• …when wireless consumers in California became concerned about responsible driving with cellphones, Verizon Wireless advocated, and was the only wireless company to support, a bill that mandated the use of hands-free devices while driving. That bill became state law (Vehicle Code (VC) §23123) and goes into effect July 1, 2008.
• …when text message spamming by con artists was on the rise, Verizon Wireless was the first wireless company to take legal action to protect consumers.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 67.2 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 69,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more information, go to: 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.