Number of Texts on the Verizon Wireless Network Doubles in Just Eight
Months
LAS VEGAS and BASKING RIDGE, N.J., March 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Seven years
after the launch of basic text messaging, Verizon Wireless customers sent
and received more than 10 billion messages in a single month -- June 2007.
Eight short months later, the number of text messages on the Verizon
Wireless network in a month (Feb. 2008) doubled to nearly 20 billion.
"The volume of text messages being sent and received by Verizon
Wireless customers is growing exponentially," said Mike Lanman, chief
marketing officer of Verizon Wireless. "Whether it's sports scores, news
updates, the latest weather forecast, or the 'joke of the day', text
messages are a tremendous way for anyone to stay on top of what's happening
in the world.
"Not to mention all of the parents -- and grandparents -- keeping up
with their kids, or kids texting each other throughout the day, text
messaging is becoming an increasingly important way to communicate for
people of all ages," Lanman added.
Benefits of Text Messaging
As texting grows into a more mainstream communications channel,
opportunities grow for new and innovative messaging programs -- some
involving short codes -- that allow citizens to participate in activities
of their choice.
Hundreds of contests, promotions and other "opt-in" campaigns have been
launched in the past few years, giving marketers and advocates other ways
to reach consumers with unique offers or information. Since 2005, wireless
service providers have offered Wireless AMBER Alerts, allowing consumers to
"opt-in" to receive a text message when an AMBER Alert about a missing or
abducted child is issued in their area.
Using text messaging to fundraise for charity is another of those
opportunities. Verizon Wireless believes it's time to create a set of best
practices around mobile giving, so Americans who contribute are protected
and there is a solid framework in place for these campaigns.
Stopping Unwanted Text Messages and Wireless Spam
As the use and popularity of text messaging has increased, Verizon
Wireless has been increasingly vigilant in its efforts to thwart wireless
spam. Network filters prevent as many as 200 million spam messages per
month from reaching customers' handsets. When spam messages do get through,
the company investigates outbreaks and in some cases, brings lawsuits
against the spammers.
Verizon Wireless offers numerous ways for customers to block text
messages -- everything from stopping messages that originate on the
Internet or e-mail (where most spam is generated) from being delivered, to
blocking short code- based text message campaigns that involve premium
charges, to completely turning off messaging to and from a handset. For
example:
-- Vtext.com: Customers can log in with their mobile number and password,
choose preferences, and choose text blocking, where they will see
several options: 1) block all messages from the Web/Internet; 2) block
all messages from e-mail; 3) block messages from up to 15 specific
domain names or e-mail addresses. Customers can also choose to allow
only texts sent to a nickname@vtext.com. Nicknames can be created by
choosing the "nickname" tab on the left-hand side of the screen. The
Web site can be accessed at http://www.vtext.com or text.vzw.com.
-- Premium SMS Blocking: Beginning in Jan. 2008, Verizon Wireless made
available this feature which enables customers to block only text
messages for short code campaigns that involve premium charges.
Customers can add this option by visiting the "My Account" page on
http://www.verizonwireless.com, then selecting features and choosing the
add/delete button. They can also contact Customer Service.
-- V-BLOCK: This feature prevents incoming and outgoing text messages
from being sent or received from a certain mobile number/handset. The
only messages the customer will receive are voicemail alerts.
Customers can add this option by calling Customer Service.
Federal Communications Commission regulations prohibit the use of
automated dialers to call or send unsolicited text messages to cellphone
numbers. Automated dialers are standard in the telemarketing industry; so
most telemarketers are barred from calling consumers on their cellphones
without their consent. Customers who want to add their cellphone number to
the national Do Not Call registry may do so online at http://www.donotcall.gov.
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and
data network, serving 65.7 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: http://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 http://www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.
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