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Verizon Wireless blocks 4INFO messages over ad concerns
Outstanding issues over mobile marketing guidelines are being blamed for Verizon Wireless' decision to block mobile messaging services provider 4INFO's flagship common short code. Verizon reportedly made the move to halt the 4INFO service--which offers free, ad-supported text alerts boasting sports scores, horoscopes, celebrity gossip and related content--after subscribers reported issues with several short codes, among them 44636 (which spells "4INFO"). "This is something we don't take lightly," Verizon Wireless spokesperson Jeffrey Nelson tells Mobile Marketer, calling the move "a last resort" and adding "This is not an arbitrary decision. This all is based on [Mobile Marketing Association] guidelines. There are a number of things that they didn't do, issues of advertising and double opt-ins."
4INFO defended its practices and said it complied with previous Verizon Wireless requests regarding SMS advertising. "We are strong advocates for consumer choice, so it's disappointing that Verizon customers were suddenly not allowed on Friday to access our free ad-supported search and alert services on 44636," said 4INFO co-founder and CEO Zaw Thet.
Verizon Wireless and 4INFO are currently in talks to resolve the situation. "We're communicating with them," Nelson said. "In the next week or two we hope they get their practices right. They acknowledge that they've been having problems for some time now. We're hopeful that they get their practices in a place where they're not having our customers complain." In the meantime, 4INFO said it will continue offering content to Verizon Wireless subscribers via alternative short codes.
For more on the Verizon/4INFO dustup:
- read this Mobile Marketer article
Related articles:
4INFO teams with AppLytics to expand iPhone app distribution
4INFO assists MySpace on NCAA basketball bracket challenge
4INFO closes $20 million financing round
Comments
Posted by Anonymous | December 7, 2009 - 12:57pm
It would be great if this article actually explained what people were receiving and how these messages are out of compliance etc rather than a he said she said that says nothing.
Posted by Meowth | December 9, 2009 - 12:29am
I don't know about anything else, but I know that I am pissed that Verizon decided to block my Gaia Online text messages! And when I called their Tech Support number from the text message, they didn't even know about it! Well, they certainly know that I am irate because of it. I'm sure that they are being innundated with angry calls and E-Mails from irate customers like myself who are equally pissed about having their content blocked. The good news is that 4Info's support told me that they should be back on sometime this week, but missing any messages is too much for me. I'm almost tempted to switch to AT&T... Almost...
Posted by Eric Cantrell | December 9, 2009 - 12:29pm
Im a Verizon shareholder and 4info has been taking a free ride on the carriers back for too long. advertising doesnt cover the cost to support these type of services and just like anything else someone has to underwrite them. to date this has been done by the carriers and I guess they are tired of subsidizing 4infos business model. I wouldnt expect to see this resolved quickly, in fact it could denigrate into something very ugly with everyone raising their rates. Its all simply becasue everybody wants something for nothing and thats fine as long as somebody is will to pay for it. 4info's sugar daddy just woke up and decided they didnt like the deal anymore. Advantage....Verizon.
Posted by Anonymous | December 9, 2009 - 12:30pm
too bad they don't have at&t in south dakota...i would have switched a long time ago otherwise
Posted by Meowth | December 10, 2009 - 8:40pm
Yay! It is back on now! At least that is what the text said. Also, I have no sympathy for a shareholder who doesn't know how to use an apostrophe.
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