Usage Controls and Chaperone 2.0 Offer Parents Full Family Security
Solution
BASKING RIDGE, N.J., Aug. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Wireless today
unveiled Usage Controls, the most recent addition to its portfolio of tools
for customers to manage their own wireless experience. Usage Controls is an
easy-to-use online service providing customers the ability to better manage
and control how they use their wireless phones, as well as how their
children or others on a "family share" or multiple-line account use their
phones.
The new service expands and enhances features first introduced last
year with Parental Controls, including content filters. Since 2006, Verizon
Wireless has also provided customers with ratings for the content found on
its V CAST service, and http://www.vtext.com offers a number of choices to manage
or personalize text messaging options.
"We hear from our customers -- especially the ones who are paying the
bills -- that they like to be aware of how their wireless service is being
used. Usage Controls are a simple way to take control of all the mobile
phones on your account," said Mike Lanman, chief marketing officer of
Verizon Wireless.
About Usage Controls
With Usage Controls, customers can stay on top of voice and data usage
levels, helping avoid any unexpected charges or overages. Usage Controls
will also help parents comfortably and confidently provide wireless service
for their children, by managing what content they are viewing or
understanding if they are accruing additional costs.
Usage Controls are accessed through the My Verizon Web site and
customers can change or update their settings under the My Services tab.
With the service, customers can:
-- Set thresholds for voice minutes;
-- Set specific limits for text, picture, instant and video messaging as
part of pay-as-you-go or message bundle plans;
-- Set time of day restrictions for data use and messaging;
-- Create lists of "trusted" and "blocked" numbers (calls to 911 will
always be allowed to connect); and
-- Employ content filters.
Usage Controls are available for a $4.99 monthly subscription for each
line. Customers must have a Nationwide Calling Plan -- either Family Share
or single line -- to take advantage of Usage Controls.
Chaperone 2.0
Parents can also add Chaperone(R) 2.0 to their accounts for $9.99 per
line per month. Chaperone 2.0, together with Usage Controls, offers a full
family security solution that provides assurance as to where children are
and what services they are using. Chaperone 2.0 provides all the same
features parents have come to rely on, along with enhancements including:
-- The ability to locate multiple Chaperone Child devices at the same
time;
-- Family SMS Messaging that allows a text message to be sent to one or
more Chaperone Child phones from the Chaperone Parent application or
Chaperone Web site;
-- Changes to the Child Zone(R) settings, allowing parents to add time and
date settings or multiple children per Child Zone;
-- Integration with VZ Navigator(SM), allowing parents with VZ Navigator
subscriptions to receive turn-by-turn directions to their child's
location; and
-- An improved Chaperone Web site that's easier to use.
For more information or to sign up, visit
http://www.verizonwireless.com/usagecontrols or http://www.verizonwireless.com/chaperone
or call 1-800-2 JOIN IN.
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and
data network, serving 68.7 million customers. Headquartered in Basking
Ridge, N.J., with 70,000 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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