Verizon to launch "Family & Friends," offering unlimited calling.

Like many of you reading this article, my first reaction to this news out of Big Red’s camp was something to the effect of “WHAT? This is coming from VERIZON?” My friends, your eyes are not deceiving you – not only is Verizon Wireless allowing former Alltel customers to keep their respective MyCircle plans, but the company seems to have realized the tremendous success behind the popular program, and is launching “Family & Friends;” their version of the feature.


Beginning Sunday, February 15th, customers with Nationwide Single plans of 900 minutes or more will be offered five numbers to call anytime, and those with Nationwide Family Share plans of 1400 minutes or higher will be afforded ten numbers to call. As with many plans of this type, special numbers (i.e. those pay-per-use numbers you may see late at night while you’re watching TV, or 411), voicemail, and any numbers outside of the United States do not qualify. Number changes can be submitted at any point throughout the bill cycle, however they take effect the following day.

This is great news for Verizon Wireless customers, and it seems as if the feature is going to be auto-added, meaning there will be no need to extend your contract to obtain it. Check out the specifications sheet below for more information on the program. Now, it’s time to call up the folks: with the implementation of this program, they have no more excuses for not calling me before 9:00.