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Verizon adds usage controls
Verizon Wireless subscribers now have a new tool to help them manage and control their wireless usage. Called Usage Controls, the new service lets customers (particularly parents) avoid unexpected charges by letting them set thresholds for voice minutes; establish limits for text, picture, IM and video messaging; set restrictions for time of day usage for data and messaging; create lists of trusted and blocked numbers; and establish content blockers for certain times of content.
The application costs $4.99 per month for each line and customers must have a nationwide calling plan to use the service.
Verizon is marketing the Usage Controls service as part of a bigger package that includes Chaperone 2.0, which lets parents keep track of their child's location using the mobile phone. Chaperone 2.0 service costs $9.99 per line per month.
T-Mobile USA introduced a similar usage control service called Family Allowance in late July. However, the operator is charging just $2 per month for the service as part of an introductory offer.
For more:
- see this press release
Related articles:
T-Mobile helps parents set wireless limits
SPOTLIGHT: Alltel to launch parental controls
Comments (1) | Post a comment
Comments
Posted by Mary Garcia | November 14, 2008 - 3:25pm
**-** U N B E L I E V A B L E **-**
This is completely an unnecessary charge! As if all of us loyal Verizon Wireless customers don't pay enough for their cellular service each month, some executive came up with the idea of $4.99 for this? C'mon! Does it really cost Verizon Wireless a whole $4.99 to simply put a code in to block text messaging times?
Perhaps a nominal fee if $2.00 like T-Mobile apparently charges. I understand nothing in life is free, but, c'mon people.
As much as Charter Communications and my Linksys Wireless G router get on my nerves, you don't see either of those fortune 500 companies raping americans to set restrictions on: certain channels, time restrictions to watch tv, time restrictions to have internet access, block certain sites, etc.
Whatever Verizon. You know you have us. Hope you all sleep better at night with your extra $4.99 a month per kid.
