Verizon Offers Usage Controls and Upgrades Chaperone Services

By Editor Wireless and Mobile News on August 18, 2008 12:32 PM

Verizon Wireless now offers Usage Controls, an online service providing customers the ability to better mand control how they use their wireless phone, as well as how their children or others on a "family share" or multiple-line account use their phones.

With Usage Controls, customers can monitor and control voice and data usage levels, Parrentscan also managing what content their kids are viewing or understanding if they are accruing additional costs.

Usage Controls are accessed through the MyVerizon Web site and customers can change or update their settings under the MyServices tab. With the service, customers can:

Set thresholds for voice minutes;
Set specific limits for text, picture, IM and video messaging as part of pay-as-you-go or message bundle plans;
Set time of day restrictions for data use and messaging;
Create lists of "trusted" and "blocked" numbers (calls to 911will always be allowed to connect); and
Employ content filters.

Usage Controls is available for a $4.99 monthly subscription for each line. Customers must have a Nationwide Calling Plan - either Family Share or single line - to take advantage of Usage Controls.

Chaperone 2.0

Parents can also add Chaperone 2.0 to their accounts for $9.99 per line per month. Chaperone 2.0 has many features and enhancements including:

The ability to locate multiple Chaperone Child devices at the same time;
Family SMS Messaging that allows a text message to be sent to one or more Chaperone Child phones from the Chaperone Parent application or Chaperone website;
Changes to the Child Zone settings, allowing parents to add time and date settings or to add multiple children per Child Zone;
Integration with VZ Navigator, allowing parents with VZ Navigator subscriptions to receive turn-by-turn directions to their child's location; and
An improved Chaperone website that's easier-to-use.