Text Messaging

1. What is a text message?
2. What is the difference between a text message and an alert?
3. What is Text Messaging?
4. How can I sign up for Text Messaging?
5. Where is Text Messaging currently available?
6. Is Text Messaging available to prepay subscribers?
7. Can I have Text Messaging without buying a new phone?
8. How many characters can I receive in my text messages?
9. What happens if the maximum character length is exceeded?
10. What is included in the 160-character limit of a text message?
11. How do I know if a text message has arrived on my phone?
12. If I have my phone turned off, will I still receive text messages?
13. If my phone's memory is full, will I still receive text messages?
14. If I am on a call, will I still receive text messages?
15. Can I receive text messages outside the Verizon Wireless footprint?
16. Can Verizon Wireless subscribers receive text messages from non-subscribers?
17. Who can I send text messages to?
18. How can I send a text message?
19. How do I send a text message from a 2-way capable phone?
20. How do I send a text message from a 2-way capable phone to a non-Verizon Wireless Subscriber (Inter-Carrier Messaging-SMS)?
21. Can I send Enhanced Text Messages to a Verizon Wireless Subscriber who has a non-EMS capable phone?
22. Can I send Enhanced Text Messages to a non-Verizon Wireless Subscriber (Inter-Carrier Messaging-EMS or International Carrier Messaging-EMS)?
23. How do I send text messages from our web site?
24. How do I send a text message from any email system with an Internet connection?
25. How do I send text messages from a PC using messaging software?
26. How many text messages can I store on my phone at one time?
27. How long can I store my text messages after I have received them?
28. What phones do not support 2-way Text Messaging (SMS)?
29. How do I block unwanted text messages?
30. Can I send Text Messages from my Alltel phone?

1. What is a text message?
   A text message is a combination of words and numbers sent to a digital phone, for example:
   • Wireless content or Internet news feed, set up by the user (e.g. stock quote or horoscope).
   • A message originated by one person and sent to a digital phone. This type of message can be originated from any of the following sources:
     •  Email application (e.g. Outlook, Hotmail, Yahoo!® Mail, etc). 
     •  Text messaging site on the Internet (e.g. VText).
     •  PC with messaging software.
     •  2-way text messaging capable phone.
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2. What is the difference between a text message and an alert?
   The difference between a text message and an alert is as follows:
   • An alert is a notification that appears on the phone communicating that some type of information has been delivered. An alert can be any of the following:
     • A notification of a text message.
     • A notification of a voicemail message.
     • An Information Alert about today's weather, horoscopes, stocks, news, sports scores, etc. 
   • A text message is a combination of words and numbers sent to a digital phone, for example, a message originated by one person and sent to another digital phone. This type of message can be originated from any of the following sources:
     • 2-way text messaging capable phone.
     • Email application (i.e. Outlook, Hotmail, etc).
     • VText.com - Verizon Wireless' text messaging website. 
     • PC messaging software (TAP dial-up modem). 
     • 2-way pager.
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3. What is Text Messaging?
   Text Messaging is the name for Verizon Wireless' 1 and 2-way text messaging services. Text Messaging provides a fast, fun and economical alternative to phone calls.
   1-way Text Messaging lets you receive:
   • Email alerts from any Internet email.
   • News, sports, weather, horoscopes.
   • Messages from others via the Internet.
   • Messages from 2-way wireless phones.
   
   2-way Text Messaging lets you send text messages to multiple wireless users and email addresses directly from a 2-way capable phone. It's perfect:
   • Keep it short!
   • Where you can't talk!
   • Keep it private!
   • Keep it affordable!
   You can send and receive text messages to other wireless users and email addresses directly from your phone while keeping your communication short and/or private. Text Messaging and VText.com are both automatically included with new activations on a pay as you go basis. Additional Text Messaging packages with allowances are available.
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4. How can I sign up for Text Messaging?
   Text Messaging and VText.com are both automatically included with new activations on a pay as you go basis. Additional Text Messaging packages with allowances are available. For more information, contact Customer Service using the number listed on your bill or visit a Verizon Wireless store.
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5. Where is Text Messaging currently available?
   Please refer to the Coverage Locator link on Verizon Wireless for further information
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6. Is Text Messaging available to prepay subscribers?
   Yes. It's just $0.15 per message (charge is per address). Text Messaging service is automatically included with every new digital price plan activation.
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7. Can I have Text Messaging without buying a new phone?
   Yes, most existing digital phones are capable of receiving messages; however, you may not be able to send messages or your phone may require a software upgrade to make your phone capable of sending messages.
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8. How many characters can I receive in my text messages?
   Verizon Wireless can support up to 160 characters in all Text Messaging markets.
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9. What happens if the maximum character length is exceeded?
   Only 160 characters of the message will be received. All remaining characters will be deleted.
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10. What is included in the 160-character limit of a text message?
    The 160 character limit includes the sender's email address (if applicable), the composed message and, if provided, the subject and callback number.
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11. How do I know if a text message has arrived on my phone?
    Most phones have both audible and visual notifications when a message has been received. The appearance of an envelope icon on your screen signifies that a message has been received. Consult your manufacturer's "Users Guide" for details on how to adjust the method of notification.
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12. If I have my phone turned off, will I still receive text messages?
    Verizon Wireless will attempt to deliver the message when your phone is powered on and you are in the Verizon Wireless digital service area. If the phone is powered off or you have traveled outside of the Verizon Wireless digital service area, the network will store the message for later delivery. The network will attempt to deliver the message for 5 days (120 hours) from the date of Verizon Wireless' receipt of the message. Messages not delivered within 5 days will be automatically deleted.
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13. If my phone's memory is full, will I still receive text messages?
    When the phone's memory is full, you may not be able to send or receive messages. Memory capacity varies by make and model of the phone. You will receive a warning that the memory is almost full or already full (message varies by phone). When the memory is full, you will have to delete old messages before you can receive new incoming messages.
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14. If I am on a call, will I still receive text messages?
    Verizon Wireless supports the ability to Talk and Text simultaneously, but this can vary on phones. If you are on a call, some phones will allow you to continue receiving messages while others will deliver messages after the call is completed.
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15. Can I receive text messages outside the Verizon Wireless footprint?
    Yes, refer to the Coverage Locator footer link on Verizon Wireless to look up available SMS coverage areas.
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16. Can Verizon Wireless subscribers receive text messages from non-subscribers?
    Yes. Verizon Wireless subscribers can receive messages from other carriers’ subscribers addressed to their 10-digit mobile number. Registered vtext.com users can also tell their friends to send messages to their nickname@vtext.com. (i.e. 5552223333@vtext.com or Sam@vtext.com).
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17. Who can I send text messages to?
    You can send messages to most text messaging capable phones in the USA, Canada and Puerto Rico by addressing the message to the recipient’s 10-digit mobile number. You can also send a message to any email address in the world. Text International is also available to Verizon Wireless subscribers. Refer to the Text International link on VText.com for the list of International wireless carriers available.
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18. How can I send a text message?
    A message can be sent from a 2-way text messaging capable digital phone, any email system with an Internet connection, the Verizon Wireless website (VText), or through a PC using a paging/alarm/or text messaging software package. Messages to subscribers on other carriers' networks can be sent from VZW 2-way text messaging capable phones but cannot be sent from vtext.com.
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19. How do I send a text message from a 2-way capable phone?
    If you have subscribed to Verizon Wireless' Text Messaging service and have purchased a 2-way text messaging capable phone, you will be able to send messages to another Verizon Wireless text messaging subscriber and to anyone who has an Internet email address. Using the keypad on your 2-way messaging capable phone, simply enter the 10-digit mobile number of the Verizon Wireless text messaging subscriber or Internet email address of the recipient, compose the message and press SEND. Your mobile number will be sent with the message.
    
    The 160-character limit includes the email address indicated by the sender, the message content, and if provided, the subject and callback number. Message length may vary depending on the system and equipment factors.
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20. How do I send a text message from a 2-way capable phone to a non-Verizon Wireless Subscriber (Inter-Carrier Messaging-SMS)?
    If you have subscribed to Verizon Wireless' Text Messaging service and have purchased a 2-way capable digital phone, you will be able to send messages to a text-messaging subscriber of most other wireless carriers in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada. Simply use the 10-digit mobile number to address your text message.
    
    Note: Verizon Wireless makes every effort to deliver your message addressed to text messaging subscribers of other wireless carriers. However, once your message leaves our network we can make no guarantee that it will be properly delivered. Your account will only be billed once your message is delivered out of our network.
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21. Can I send Enhanced Text Messages to a Verizon Wireless Subscriber who has a non-EMS capable phone?

    The text will be sent to the non-enhanced device, however all EMS features will be removed. All inserted graphics or sounds will be deleted.  Also please note that currently customers with non-Enhanced Messaging Service capable devices may have an inconsistent experience, at times, receiving truncated 160-character only messages and at other times or receiving 160-character or above (multi-part) segmented messages.  Non-EMS capable devices were not meant to accept multi-part EMS messages. Verizon Wireless is working to resolve this issue by adding enhancements to our network.

    Once a technical solution is implemented, customers with non-EMS capable devices will be able to receive multi-part messages. Note: There is no planned date for implementation of a solution at this time and until further notice customers with non-EMS capable devices may continue to have an inconsistent experience.

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22. Can I send Enhanced Text Messages to a non-Verizon Wireless Subscriber (Inter-Carrier Messaging-EMS or International Carrier Messaging-EMS)?

    Yes, with some limitations. When you send Enhanced Text Messages to Non-Verizon Wireless subscribers, delivery will be attempted, however, all inserted graphics, emoticons, sounds and text formatting will be deleted and the message will be converted into plain text. In addition, Enhanced Text Messages greater than 160 characters will be truncated to 160 characters in length. After you send your Enhanced Text Message to the non-Verizon Wireless subscriber, Verizon Wireless will send you the following free administrative message: "FREE_VZW_MSG: Messages sent to non-VZW customers with graphics/tones/formatting and/or 160+ characters are sent as plain text with only the first 160 characters." The EMS-capable handset sending the message will be billed for a single message sent.

    Note: Intercarrier/International SMS does not support non-ASCI 7 bit characters so if International characters or symbols like ú and ñ are used, they may cause delivery to fail. 

    Note: The following non-EMS phones may not properly convert an EMS message to an SMS message:  Audiovox 8100, 8300, 9155, 9500, Thera; Kyocera 860; LG 510, VX1, VX10, 2000; Samsung N 150, T 300, N 370, A 310, A 530; Sharp Z-800; Sierra Wireless Air Card 555; Sony Ericsson 1228, T 60; Palm Treo 600, 650, 700, 750, Motorola Q

    The message received by the non-enhanced text messaging phone will be unreadable. Both sender and recipient will be charged for unreadable messages.

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23. How do I send text messages from our web site?
    Friends, family and associates can send you a text message from our VText web site simply by typing in your 10-digit mobile number, SMS Nickname@vtext.com, their email address and a message. The message will be delivered directly to your phone. Message length is limited to 160 characters. Currently, Enhanced Text Messages cannot be sent from VTtext.com to a Verizon Wireless phone.
    
    Guest users (non-registered) will see a screen displaying a series of letters in a distorted but legible image which will help prevent SPAM messages from being delivered. If you cannot read the image click the "Refresh" button in your internet browser and a new set of letters will be displayed.
    
    Enter the letteres that are displayed in the "Enter Security Code" field. The letters are case-sensitive, enter them carefully. Click the "Verify Code" button.
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24. How do I send a text message from any email system with an Internet connection?
    Anyone can send you a text message from email simply by composing a message and sending it directly to your digital phone. Your phone's email address is your 10-digit mobile number or vtext nickname followed by @vtext.com. For example, 9495551212@vtext.com or Sam@vtext.com. Message length is limited to 160 characters, including the email address. Currently, Enhanced Text Messages cannot be sent from email to a Verizon Wireless phone.
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25. How do I send text messages from a PC using messaging software?
    Commercial Text Messaging Software can also be used with a modem to send text messages. However, Verizon Wireless does not sell, support or endorse any messaging software as a matter of policy. See the following Software and Modem Settings:
    
    Software and Modem Settings:
    
    Protocol: Standard TAP
    Toll-Free TAP Access Number: 1-866-823-0501
    Baud Rate Range: 300-19,200 bps
    Data Settings: 7 data bits, even parity 1 stop bit
    Message Length: 160 characters
    Wait to Connect: 60 seconds or longer
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26. How many text messages can I store on my phone at one time?
    Memory varies by phone - refer to your manufacturer's User Guide for details. The number of messages that can be stored is determined by the capacity available on your phone. Please note that once your inbox is full, you will not be able to receive new messages until you delete old messages to create additional space.
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27. How long can I store my text messages after I have received them?
    There is no time limit for message storage so you may store them for as long as you wish.
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28. What phones do not support 2-way Text Messaging (SMS)?
    The following phones do not support 2-way Text Messaging (SMS):
    
    Note: To determine the make and model number of most phones, please perform the following steps: 1. Power the phone down 2. Remove the battery* 3. Note the manufacturer and model number on the handset's label.
    
    *If you are unable to remove the battery, please contact Customer Service using the number listed on your bill or visit a Verizon Wireless store.

    LG	1000
    Samsung	N300
    Sierra Wireless	5220/580; 3220
    UT Starcomm	PC 5740

    
    Note: Verizon Wireless will periodically update this list as necessary.
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29. How do I block unwanted text messages?

    To block unwanted text messages from Internet domains and emails:
    

    1. Log into My Verizon
    2. Go to My Verizon > My Services > Verizon Safeguards > Spam Controls > Internet Spam Blocking or http://www.vzw.com/spamcontrols
    3. Enter the offending Internet domain or email address, then click Save

    
    To block unwanted messages from a cell phone:

    1. Log into My Verizon
    2. Go to My Verizon > My Services > Verizon Safeguards > Spam Controls > Call & Message Blocking or http://www.vzw.com/spamcontrols
    3. Enter the offending Cell Phone Number, then click Save
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30. Can I send Text Messages from my Alltel phone?
    Yes, you may send Text Messages directly from your phone or visit our text messaging site.
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