Group Communication

General Information

1. What is Group Communication?

   Group Communication allows you to reach both account contacts or customer groups using a single number. Users can be contacted with a call, text message, or voice message. Group Communication is available in two specific formats:
   
   

   1. Family Group Contact
      If you want direct contact with your account members using (888) VZ-GROUP (888-894-7687). One bonus number may be included. The single nationwide number will intelligently route calls and text messages to all account users.
   
   
   2. Group Contact (includes Family Group Contact functionality if on a multi-line account)
      If you require custom groups, up to seven groups of 20 members can be created and include mobile numbers (including non-Verizon Wireless numbers), landlines, and international numbers. Quick Contact is included with Group Contact and allows you to call multiple numbers for a single contact. Once one line answers all other lines drop. With Quick Contact create up to five groups of 20 members each.
   
   
   3. Quick Contact
      Included with Group Contact. Add up to five groups of 20 members can be created for instant connection to those hard to reach contacts by dialing one number and all phones ring simultaneously! The first number to answer is connected and the other lines drop.
   Learn more about Group Communication.
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2. Do I need to have a certain device to use Group Communication?

   No, there are no special devices required for using Group Communication. Any Voice/SMS capable device can purchase Group Communications.
   

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3. How do I set up Group Communication?

   You can create and maintain all your Group Contact lists within My Verizon.

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4. Can I just purchase Family Group Contact?

   Yes. Once purchased, all members on the account have access to all other account members using (888) VZ-GROUP (888) 894-7687. The one non-account bonus number cannot initiate calls, only receive. Bonus number can reply to ALL or reply to originator with Voice Message and Text, provided they are using SMS capable device.

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5. How many groups and members can I have through Group Communication?

   Group Contact subscribers can have maximum of seven groups of up to 20 members each. Family Group Contact is one account group and can include up to 20 account members.

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6. How much does Group Communication cost?

   Family Group Contact - $4.99 / account
   
   Group Contact - $6.99 / line*
   
   *May include Family Group Contact functionality if on a multi-line account

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7. Can group members in my Group Communication service be from multiple carriers?

   Yes. For Group Contact, all wireless carrier numbers can be included. For Family Group Contact, users must be part of your account and the one non-account bonus number may be from any other wireless carrier.

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8. What are the airtime charges for Group Communication?

   Each call and text is charged per connection and will be charged according to your plan.
   
   Example: John has five users in his group, e.g. two Verizon Wireless mobile numbers, two mobile numbers provided by other carriers, and one landline number. John’s plan includes unlimited calling to other Verizon Wireless customers. For a 10-minute call to this group, John is not charged for the call to the two Verizon Wireless customers. He is charged separately for each call that connected to his contacts on the other two wireless networks and the landline number. In this case, since the call lasted 10 minutes, John is billed 30 minutes (10 min x 3 calls).

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9. What is Quick Contact? How does it vary from Group Contact?

   Quick Contact is an included feature with Group Contact. Quick Contact allows you to call multiple lines simultaneously using one number. The first line to pick up connects and the rest will drop. It’s perfect for hard to reach contacts or if you need a quick answer from a common group of people. Quick Contact calls will be billed according to your calling plan based on the number that is connected. Quick Contact supports five groups up to 20 members. Member's numbers can include other wireless carriers, landline, or international.

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10. How are group calls reflected on my bill?

    For each group call, your bill will list each member’s number and will have “GroupCall” next to the number to denote it was a group call.

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11. When making a group call or sending a text through Group Communication, what name will appear to recipients and what will users hear upon answering?

    The group call initiator’s number appears. Upon each contact picking up the call, an announcement will be played identifying it as a group call. After the announcement, users can press any number key to join the call. Text messages will also be identified as a group text.

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12. What happens if a group call goes to Voice Mail?

    The call connection will drop upon being sent to voicemail for a particular user and will not be charged airtime.

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13. What happens if someone calls me while I am using Group Communication?

    You will be able to answer the call using call waiting. The group call experience is similar to being on a call with a single line. The group is free to continue the call while the initiator is connected through call waiting.

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14. Do I need to be on a Family Plan to take advantage of Family Group Contact?

    Family Group Contact does not require a special price plan. Any multi-line account can purchase Family Group Contact. It is price plan independent.

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15. How easy is it to change group members when you need to create different groups through Group Communication?

    Very easy, and can be done online using your Group Communication page on My Verizon. There are no limits on the number of group changes. In addition, all group modifications are confirmed via a text message to your device once complete. The change takes effect immediately.

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16. Can the same users be in different Group Communication groups?

    Yes. Users can be part of multiple groups.

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17. Is there a different dial-out number for each group in my Group Communication account?

    For Family Group Contact, account members can be reached using (888) VZ-GROUP (888-894-7687). Non-account members cannot initiate calls, only receive. For all other custom Group Contacts, a unique 10-digit number will be assigned to each group that must be used for group dialing.

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18. When placing a group call, is the whole group dropped if the originator’s call is dropped?

    The originator can drop for up to two minutes. If the originator does not return within two minutes, the call is ended.

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19. I subscribe to Group Communication. Can I add group members' mobile numbers in my Friends & Family®?

    Yes. All of your current contacts can be used, including Friends & Family.

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20. How do group members know they’ve been added to a group through Group Communication and who created the group?

    All group members using mobile numbers (including non-Verizon Wireless numbers) will receive a confirmation text message that you have created a group and the members included in that group. Landlines do not receive text notification.

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21. Do Group Communication group members know who the other members in the group are?

    Yes. This is included in the group creation confirmation text message. However, landlines will not receive this text notification.
    

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22. How do recipients know they are answering a group call?

    Upon call connection, an announcement will be played for both Family Group Contact and Group Contact. Users need to press any number key when prompted to join.

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23. Can I send MMS to the groups I have created through Group Communication?

    No. Only voice calls, text messages, and voice messages are supported at this time.

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