BEDMINSTER, N.J.-Verizon Wireless reported it will roll out two-way mobile messaging services to its customers in the Los Angeles area this week, with plans for nationwide availability by early next year.
Verizon said the mobile messaging service, similar to short message service, which has proven to be extremely popular in Europe, is designed to allow customers two choices in how they use their phones to communicate: talk and text. Each text message sent or received can contain up to 120 characters.
Customers interested in the service have three options to choose from. First, a pay-as-you-go option for those who do not want to commit to any pre-set services. Verizon said those who choose this option do not have to subscribe to the service if they already own an SMS-capable Verizon phone.
For customers interested in heavy usage, Verizon offers a package of 100 sent or received SMS messages for $3 and a package offering 600 sent or received messages for $8. Additional sent messages are billed at 10 cents each, with received messages charged at 2 cents each.
To introduce the service, Verizon said it will waive the messaging fee and per-message fees until March 1, and offer an SMS-enabled Kyocera 2035A handset for $70.
