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Premium TXT Messaging and Premium Content Download Service

Premium TXT Messaging

1. What is Premium Text Messaging?
2. What is a Common Short Code?
3. What is a Keyword?
4. How do I opt-in to a Premium Text Messaging program?
5. How do I opt-out of a Premium Text Messaging program?
6. Are there any additional charges to use a Premium Text Messaging program?

Premium Content Download Service

1. What is Premium Content Download Service?
2. What does MMS stand for?
3. Who offers Premium Download Content via MMS to Verizon Wireless subscribers?
4. How do I download premium content?
5. Do I need to subscribe to get Premium Content?
6. How do I opt-out of premium content subscription?
7. What handsets are capable of receiving premium content?
8. Why do I get a "device not supported error" when I subscribe for certain content?

Premium TXT Messaging

1. What is Premium Text Messaging?

   Premium Text Messaging refers to special programs that require an additional fee to subscribe. A premium charge for the subscription is billed to your mobile phone account or deducted from your pre-paid credit, in addition to the standard messaging rates that will be billed for all messages that originate from or terminate to your handset. Premium Text subscriptions are initiated through special numbers, which are 4, 5, or 6 digit numbers called ‘Short Codes’, and always require your consent for the purchase before any messaging content is distributed or participation in any premium messaging program is allowed. Examples of Premium Text subscription campaigns are:

   • Sports alerts: MLB, NFL etc..
   • Weather alerts, jokes, stock quotes, horoscopes, etc..
   • Trivia.
   • Mobile coupons.
   • Interactive Radio requesting a song to be played.
   • Interactive TV shows and voting such as Deal or no Deal and Rockstar.
   Standard messaging rates always apply along with premium charges.
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2. What is a Common Short Code?
   Common Short Codes are special numbers to which a Text Message can be sent from a handset to deliver a request or a message to a certain destination. A short code is usually 4, 5 or 6 digit numbers. An example of an short code could be 54321.
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3. What is a Keyword?
   Keywords are valid commands used to opt-in or opt-out of a Premium Text Messaging program. Keywords are sent within the message body and addressed to a particular short code. Examples are as follows:

   Opt-In: JOKE
   Opt-Out: STOP
   More Info: HELP

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4. How do I opt-in to a Premium Text Messaging program?

   To opt-in to a Premium Text Messaging program you must first send a Text Message to a premium content short code (opt-in) and then participate in the Premium Text Messaging service or application.

   If you are a postpaid Verizon Wireless subscriber, your request will be processed and the Text Message will be sent back to you with the premium charge for the service. In order to subscribe to the service, you must respond back to the Text Message that was sent to you accepting the premium charge and confirming your approval of the premium charge to complete the process. Once you accept the premium charge, you will receive a Text Message thanking you for participation, which may include additional instructions to continue with the Premium Text Messaging program or may contain the content that you selected.

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5. How do I opt-out of a Premium Text Messaging program?
   Any Premium Text Messaging program, or short code program, that is approved for use on the Verizon Wireless' network requires that one (1) of the following five (5) words be used to stop participation in the program:

   QUIT
   STOP
   END
   CANCEL
   UNSUBSCRIBE

   To opt-out of a Premium Text Messaging program, send a Text message to the program’s short code with one of the commands listed above in the body of the message.

   Example Message
   To: 42222
   Message: STOP

   If you are unable to opt-out using the keyword, make sure the auto signature feature on your device is turned off when sending the Text message. If auto signature is turned on, you will need to remove the signature from the message body and resend the Text message.

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6. Are there any additional charges to use a Premium Text Messaging program?
   Yes. Standard Text messaging rates will always apply for sending and receiving Text messages. Some Premium Text Messaging programs may require additional fees or a subscription before participating in the service. If you have to pay an additional charge, Premium Text Messaging services that are approved for use on Verizon Wireless network will include a double opt-in when you first participate. The Text message sent from the premium provider will explain the additional charge and require you to opt-in again to participate in the service.
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Premium Content Download Service

1. What is Premium Content Download Service?
   Premium Content Download Service allows you to access and download premium content from third party content providers. The premium content downloads consist of ringtones, wallpapers, and screensavers delivered via MMS. Standard messaging rates always apply along with premium charges.
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2. What does MMS stand for?
   MMS stands for Multimedia Messaging Service. When you send a picture message to a friend, it is sent as a MMS message. Please note, if you send an MMS to a person without a MMS compatible handset, the message may only appear as plain text or may be rejected. MMS messages sent from Verizon Wireless handsets cannot be delivered to most international mobile phone numbers.
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3. Who offers Premium Download Content via MMS to Verizon Wireless subscribers?

   The following Premium Download Content providers are approved for use on Verizon Wireless network:
   

   • The Katazo
   • QMobile
   • Holla Mobile
   • Dada Mobile
   • Mobile Messenger
   • Mobizzo
   • Best Buy
   • Pepsi Smash
   • ABC Wireless
   • Mobilebites
   • Thumbplay
   • Mobilebites

   All of the providers listed above will include Verizon Wireless as a wireless carrier selection on their websites, and enable you to participate/order downloadable premium content.

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4. How do I download premium content?
   There are two general methods for downloading premium content:
   1. Requesting premium content from a content provider's website to your phone (web opt-in with PIN or web opt-in with Reply Yes)
      
      OR
      
   2. Requesting premium content directly from your phone (short code opt-in).

    

   The steps to download the premium content from a website (steps may vary slightly by website):

   1. Visit one of the content provider's website listed in question # 8.
   2. Select the desired content you want to download.
   3. Select Verizon Wireless from the wireless carrier drop down list.
   4. Select your Mobile device from the allowable devices list on the content provider's website.
   5. Provide your wireless mobile number and select Submit.
   • At this point you will receive a Text message with a PIN code that will require you to enter into the content provider’s website.
   • The content provider will require you to double opt-in to the service.
   • Once selected, press Submit to have the content sent to your phone.
   6. The content you selected will be sent to you as an MMS message. Follow your phones instructions to set your content up on the device.

    

   The steps to download the premium content from the subscriber's mobile device:

   1. Send a Text message to the content provider short code with the content select keyword in the body of the message.
      Example SMS Message
      To: 24455
      Message: Content Selection Keyword
   2. You will receive a Text message that will require you to opt-in to receive the premium content. Reply back with a "Yes."
   3. Once sent, you will receive the following MMS message: "Your content will be delivered shortly."
   4. The selected content will be sent to you as a MMS message. Follow your phones instructions to set your content up on the device.
      Note: Only those handsets that are both MMS and Digital Rights Management (DRM) capable will be able to receive the message. Check the content provider’s website for allowable handsets.
   5. You will receive a Text message from the content provider thanking you for download the content. This message finalizes the transaction. If the handset is not capable of receiving the requested content, you will receive the following Text message "Your device is not capable to receive the selected content." Consult the content provider’s website for allowable handsets.

   Please note the following for subscription-based premium content (steps may vary slightly by website):

   1. Even in cases in which you subscribe directly from a website, only those handsets that are both MMS and Digital Rights Management (DRM) capable will be able to receive the message allowing you to opt-in. Check the content provider’s website for allowable handsets.
   2. You will receive a reminder message at the end of each billing period. This message will contain the name of the content provider, the subscription fee per relevant subscription period (i.e., $4.99/mo. or $1.99/wk.) and an opt-out keyword should you wish to opt-out of the subscription. Most premium content subscriptions are monthly, some are weekly.
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5. Do I need to subscribe to get Premium Content?
   Some content providers require you to subscribe to their service before receiving premium content. Check the content provider's website for subscription requirements and/or fees.
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6. How do I opt-out of premium content subscription?

   To opt-out of a premium content subscription you have two options: 

   1. Reply to the monthly subscription Text message sent by the content provider with one of these five (5) keywords: QUIT, STOP, END, CANCEL, UNSUBSCRIBE. 
   2. Once you send the Text message you will receive an opt-out Text message confirmation.

   OR

   1. Send a Text Message to the short code with the keyword STOP or STOP ALL to end the monthly subscription.

    

   If you are unable to opt-out using the keyword, make sure the auto signature feature on your device is turned off when sending the Text message.  If auto signature is turned on, you will need to remove the signature from the message body and resend the Text message.

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7. What handsets are capable of receiving premium content?
   Check the content provider's website for all handsets that are capable of receiving premium content.
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8. Why do I get a "device not supported error" when I subscribe for certain content?
   A "device not supported error" means that your handset is not compatible with the selected content or you may have a block on your account that prevents you from sending and receiving messages.
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