Overview:
Verizon Wireless, based in Basking Ridge, NJ, hails itself as the most reliable wireless company in the USA. Consumers know them as the “can you hear me now?” people. It is a joint venture of Verizon Communications and Vodaphone.Pros: If you’re looking for features, you’ve got them with Verizon’s BlackBerry plans. Their plans come with 3-way calling, basic voice mail, call forwarding, wall waiting, caller ID and caller ID blocking, message waiting indicators, and text messaging options. You also get unlimited domestic long distance and no domestic roaming charges. If you purchase a plan over $34.99 and maintain two years of service, you can get a new phone. You have an option of how many minutes a month you want to buy.
Cons: Plan prices are quite expensive, but it evens out when you consider what features you get for free on the plans. Text messaging, if you don’t buy the more expensive plan with this feature included, is $0.15 cents for each message that you send and receive.

Detailed Provider Information:
Voice Plan Options: Verizon provides its BlackBerry customers with six different bundled voice and data plans. The 450-minute plan is $79.99/month; the 900-minute plan is $99.99/month; the 1350-minute plan (which is their best offer) is $109.99/month; the unlimited voice plan is $129.99/month. If you go over your minutes, the charges range from $0.20 to $0.45, depending on your plan. Data Options: For all plans, wireless data is received in 2 KB increments. If you want to receive more, simply request to download another 2 KB.
Messaging Options: Unlimited messaging plans, including text, picture, instant, and video, are available with Verizon's BlackBerry Nationwide Email & Messaging plans. These have the same minute values as the above plans, but each is $20 more.
Customer Service: When you enter your state’s zip code, the site directs you to the customer service representative and telephone number in your area. As well, there are email addresses and telephone numbers on the website. If you have a support question, there are also FAQs posted on just about any topic.
Contract: If you want to terminate your contract early, you’ll have to pay $175 per line. Contracts vary, depending on the plan that you get, but most contracts with Verizon are two years. After two years, Verizon offers you a new phone.
Messaging: Text messaging is $0.20 for each sent and received message if you don’t have a messaging plan. You can send messages of up to 160 characters. This is not available in some areas.
International Calling and Messaging: International roaming charges can be as low as $0.69 and vary from country to country. Verizon does offer long distance calling, but it’s only unlimited for domestic calls. International calls will be subjected to long distance charges. verizonwireless.com/international has more information for customers looking to call overseas. Overseas text messages are $0.25 for every sent message and $0.15 for every received message.
Roaming Charges: There are no roaming charges, but your BlackBerry may not work in some areas where there is no coverage.
Activation Fee: There is a $35 set-up fee for each new line.
Additional Features: You can get 411 access for $1.49 a month, enhanced voice mail services, and more.
Insurance: There is a one-year warranty on the phones.
Phones: Verizon offers the BlackBerry Curve 3G Smartphone and additional models listed below. All of these phones have online prices of $199.99 to $299.99 and include Bluetooth, Broadband Access, a speakerphone and text messaging. Some Additional BlackBerry Models Available:
BlackBerry Bold 9650
BlackBerry Storm 2 9550
BlackBerry Curve 8530
Coverage Map: The Verizon coverage map can be found here.



