Family Calling Plan Popularity to Explode Within Next Five Years

Family Calling Plan Popularity to Explode Within Next Five Years

Verizon Wireless Calling Plans Provide Simple, Affordable
Solution for Arizona and New Mexico Families Who Want to Join In

PHOENIX, Ariz. - A growing number of families are staying in touch and secure by equipping each family member with a wireless phone, relying on wireless communication to manage what they want to do and have to do, to keep connected with family and friends, and to call for help in an emergency. In fact, according to The Strategis Group, a telecommunications research and consulting firm, family-calling plans offered by wireless service providers will explode in popularity in the next five years, growing to 18 million subscribers by 2004.
A recent report from The Strategis Group states: "calling plans essentially let families turn wireless phones into a form of wireless intercom. The market for customized group calling plans targeted at families is substantial because 57 percent of wireless phones are used by members of households that have more than one wireless phone."

To meet the growing demand for family wireless use, Verizon Wireless, the nation's largest wireless carrier, offers special group calling plans that make it simple and affordable for families in Arizona and Northern New Mexico who want to keep in touch while on the go. Verizon Wireless' Family SharePlan program enables families to subscribe to up to four lines of service and share a bundle of minutes.

"A wireless phone offers parents and children convenience, safety and added peace of mind," said Verizon Wireless Regional President, Jerry Gallegos. "As prices for wireless phones and service continue to drop, many families are turning to wireless to help them balance their busy lives and stay connected."

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About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless is the largest wireless communications provider in the U.S. with 26.3 million wireless voice and data customers and 3.5 million paging customers. The new coast-to-coast wireless provider was formed by the combination of the U.S. wireless businesses of Bell Atlantic Corp. and GTE Corp - now Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) -- and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). The new company includes the assets of Bell Atlantic Mobile, AirTouch Cellular, GTE Wireless, PrimeCo Personal Communications and AirTouch Paging. The company has a footprint covering nearly 90 percent of the U.S. population, 49 of the top 50 and 96 of the top 100 U.S. markets. Verizon Wireless, headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, is 32,000 employees strong. Reporters and editors can find more information about the company in its Media Center on the Web at: http://www.verizonwireless.com/mediacenter/index.shtml

Editor's Note:

Verizon Wireless' Family SharePlan program for Arizona and Northern New Mexico residents includes calling plans that offer a bundle that includes: 300 to 800 anytime minutes, 2,000 to 4,000 mobile-to-mobile minutes and no long distance charges that is shared by up to four family members. Monthly access rates for two lines of service start at $50 a month, plus $20 per month for each additional line of service up to a total of four lines. The local mobile-to-mobile minutes, included with Verizon Wireless' Family SharePlan program, may be used for calls between Verizon Wireless customers on the Verizon Wireless network within their local mobile-to-mobile calling area (typically a geographic area where families live and work).