New Contract Policy Gives Wireless Customers Added Flexibility In Choosing Calling Plans

[Nikos Kartalis]

In yet another step aimed at offering American consumers the “most customer friendly” experience in the wireless industry, Verizon Wireless today announced that it will provide all of its customers the ability to change calling plans without requiring contract extensions.

Starting October 7, new and existing customers will have the option to change their voice and data calling plans – selecting current plans with different minute allowances or text messaging and data use options – without changing the end date of their contract. The policy will become part of the company’s industry leading customer promise, the Verizon Wireless Worry Free Guarantee.

“Verizon Wireless once again demonstrates that our number one priority is delivering the most customer-friendly wireless experience in the U.S. marketplace. Our commitment to our customers is why we lead the industry in customer loyalty and why more customers use the Verizon Wireless brand than any other,” said Jack Plating, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Verizon Wireless.

The Worry Free Guarantee will also now include the company’s Test Drive offer, which allows new customers to experience the Verizon Wireless network for 30 days virtually risk-free. In addition, the company today announces the My Account Advantage, formerly part of the Worry Free Guarantee, which offers additional benefits for online customers.

Verizon Wireless has long set the bar in the wireless industry for customer-friendly policies. The company is the only major wireless carrier to offer a declining early termination fee versus the rest of the industry’s standard of charging a flat fee if a customer chooses to end a contract before its term expires. In addition, Verizon Wireless parted with the industry by refusing to participate in a wireless directory when customers said they didn’t want one, effectively halting that project. The company also broke from other wireless companies to support local number portability because customers wanted the freedom to take their numbers with them if they switched service providers.

Verizon Wireless introduced its industry-leading Worry Free Guarantee in 2001 with the promises of the nation's most reliable wireless network, a free phone every two years with a two-year renewal, and more.