A golden aged friend of mine just joined Verizon Wireless's family sharing plan to have two MOT phones. They are so happy for their new toys.
Not sure it was posted.
SOURCE: Verizon Wireless
Wireless Wonderland
Wireless Phones and Service Now a Popular Holiday Gift
SEATTLE, Dec. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Last December, most wireless carriers in the U.S. added twice as many new customers in December than any other month of the year. The double play of increased popularity in the general consumer market and declining prices have made new phones, service plans and accessories hot gifts during the holiday season.
``Wireless phones are no longer viewed as just a business tool,'' said Kelley DeLaney, Regional President for Verizon Wireless, the nations largest wireless carrier. ``When wireless phones left the Mercedes and entered the Minivan, they quickly became the affordable, high-tech gift of choice.''
With more than 100 million wireless customers in the U.S., its easy to assume that most people who want a wireless phone have one, but the wireless penetration rate in the U.S. is far lower than many European countries. ``You can see the future of wireless in countries like Finland and Sweden where up to 90 percent of the population is carrying a wireless phone,'' DeLaney said. ``While we're still enjoying strong wireless growth in this country, we have a lot of catching up to do.''
Untapped markets that offer the most potential for growth in the U.S. include teens, families and seniors. A survey by Teenage Research Unlimited found that 20 percent of the nation's teens use wireless phones. Every minute, according to the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association, nearly 30 people sign up for wireless service in the U.S. and a growing number of them are parents who have decided to equip their teenagers with wireless phones.
To control costs, parents are often attracted to Verizon Wireless Prepay. Just like long-distance calling cards, Prepay wireless service allows the buyer to purchase a block of wireless minutes in advance. When the purchased time has been used the account must be replenished. This gives parents complete control, while providing their children a little freedom and a way to call home.
``When I decided to provide my two teenagers wireless phones, I felt a little like I was handing them a blank check,'' said a Verizon Wireless customer from Seattle. ``After doing a little research, I realized that Prepay service was the best option. I could increase the safety and security of my boys when they're away from home and still maintain complete control.''
Another growing trend is multiple phones in the same family. With the introduction of new family plans, wireless carriers have made it more affordable for spouses, children and parents to stay in touch. ``In the past, the trend was one wireless phone per household,'' DeLaney said. ``Today, we're finding that more and more families are buying multiple phones and are looking for affordable family calling plans.''
At Verizon Wireless one of the most popular packages is the Family SharePlan, which provides up to four lines of service for one family. The phones all share the same bucket of minutes, and family members can call one another for free. In addition to family calling, the Family SharePlans also include free long distance.
``Our research showed that standard calling plans didn't fit the needs of typical families,'' said DeLaney. ``We needed to really think about how a family might use our service and develop specific packages tailored to those unique needs.''
Seniors also are finding wireless phones under the tree. Since a wireless phone offers safety, security and a potential communications lifeline in an emergency, many children are providing wireless phones to their older parents.
Dick Edwards, a Verizon Wireless phone user from Spokane, Washington uses two of the most popular wireless services. Semi-retired, the 67-year-old small business owner uses the Family SharePlan when home and Prepay when in Phoenix for the winter. ``While some might consider me a senior, I certainly don't use my wireless service for safety and security only. I use my shared minutes in my business, and Prepay when in Arizona so I can make tee times and stay in touch with my office when I'm away.''
Edwards also has asked his children for wireless accessories such as a hands-free head set or a cigarette lighter adaptor as gifts this holiday season. ``The kids always have trouble shopping for me,'' Edwards said. ``Rather than adding to the supply of golf shirts in my closet, I've asked them to help me round out my wireless accessories so I can use my phone more safely and always have a charged battery on hand.''
``Wireless makes a perfect holiday gift,'' DeLaney said. Whether it's a phone for a new customer, or a hands-free headset for an existing customer, a wireless gift is all about staying in touch not only during the holidays, but throughout the year.`` |
