This Sunday, February 15th, Verizon will launch a new feature on select rate plans called “Friends & Family”. Similar to programs at T-Mobile (MyFaves) and Alltel (My Circle) — now owned by Verizon — customers will be allowed to select a group of numbers to whom they can make and receive calls, without the airtime counting against their monthly allowance. It will be available to both new and existing Verizon customers. Eligible single line plans will be able to choose 5 numbers, while eligible family plans can select 10 numbers.

MyRatePlan Analysis: As is usually the case with new wireless plan benefits, this one is more marketing smoke than actual fire. Few people will actually see their bills reduced. In fact, because the feature is not available on single lines under $59.99 or family plans under $89.99, the real winner will be Verizon — they will see a modest bump in their average customer revenue, an important financial metric in the wireless industry.

The new program should also yield higher profit per customer for Verizon, as the benefit for most customers will be minimal. For example, let’s take a look at a Verizon $59.99 plan. Today, this plan offers 900 anytime minutes, free unlimited nights and weekends and free unlimited mobile-to-mobile calling to the more than 80 million Verizon and Alltel wireless customers. This means there is no benefit whatsoever until a customer on that plan reaches their 900 minute allowance and makes a subsequent call that isn’t already free. Put another way, if you already have a plan with 900 minutes and you aren’t paying overage charges — move along, there’s nothing to see here.

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By the way, some may find the term “Friends & Family” familiar — it was a discount long distance program offered by MCI beginning in the early 90’s. Verizon acquired MCI, and the “Friends & Family” brand name in early 2005.

We are often asked about phones that are more accessible; the most common request is for an easy-to-use phone with larger keys and a display with larger fonts. Unfortunately, there haven’t been that many good solutions, as the focus of the carriers in the last couple years has been more sophisticated, ever-smaller devices that support various data services.

However, there is finally a good option: The Verizon Coupe.   This is a simple phone:  No camera, no music player, no Internet.  The Coupe has 3 buttons, labeled I, C & E (In Case of Emergency)…. use these for one-touch calling to 3 contacts.  There is also a dedicated 911 button.   The Coupe offers larger than normal fonts and keys.  As of this writing, the Coupe is just $39.99 with a two-year Verizon contract.

Verizon has also created a plan to go along with the Coupe.  Actually, you can get the plan with any phone, but you must be 65 or older.  Called “Nationwide 65 Plus”, this plan provides 200 anytime minutes, 500 night & weekend minutes, and unlimited free calling to other Verizon subscribers… all for just $29.99/month.  A family plan version of this plan is also available for $59.99/month; it includes 450 anytime minutes, 1,000 night & weekend minutes, and unlimited free calling to other Verizon subscribers.

Verizon Wireless has expanded its INpulse prepaid plan, and now offers three different varieties. Note that all the plans discussed below come with free mobile-to-mobile calling to all other Verizon Wireless subscribers. Also note that text message pricing is per message, whether received or sent.  Night calling referred to below is from 9PM to 6AM.

• INpulse Core: This plan is closest to the single plan previously offered, with one huge improvement. Previously, there was a 99¢ per day charge, whether you used the phone or not. That meant a minimum $30 bill each month, whether you used the phone or not. Now the 99¢ charge is only on the days you use the phone. with INpulse Core, all voice minutes are 10¢ each, as are text messages. We hate to make you do math, but INpulse Core is most economical if your total non-night voice minutes and text messages + double your night minutes is less than 20 on the days you use the phone.
• INpulse Plus: This plan comes with a $1.99 per day charge (on days you use the phone). The price per voice minute or text message drops to 5¢ each. The plan also offers free night calling. INpulse Plus is recommended for those using more than 20 minutes & text messages on the days you use the phone, unless you fall into the category recommended for the final plan.
• INpulse Power: This plan comes with a $2.99 per day charge (on days you use the phone). The price per voice minute or text message drops to 2¢ each and night calling is free. INpulse Power is recommended for those using more than 35 non-night minutes & text messages (anytime) per day on the days you use the phone.