[IP] Verizon Wireless Statement

[David Farber <dave@farber.net>]

VERIZON WIRELESS STATEMENT ON TEXT MESSAGING

        BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – On Wednesday, September 26, Verizon  
Wireless received a letter from NARAL regarding the company’s policy  
on text messaging.  The following statement may be attributed to  
Jeffrey Nelson, spokesperson for Verizon Wireless.

        “The decision to not allow text messaging on an important,  
though sensitive, public policy issue was incorrect, and we have  
fixed the process that led to this isolated incident.

“Upon learning about this situation, senior Verizon Wireless  
executives immediately reviewed the decision and determined it was an  
incorrect interpretation of a dusty internal policy. That policy,  
developed before text messaging protections such as spam filters  
adequately protected customers from unwanted messages, was designed  
to ward against communications such as anonymous hate messaging and  
adult materials sent to children.

        “Verizon Wireless is proud to provide services such as text  
messaging, which are being harnessed by organizations and individuals  
communicating their diverse opinions about issues and topics.  We  
have great respect for this free flow of ideas and will continue to  
protect the ability to communicate broadly through our messaging  
service.”


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