Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Remind App and Verizon

UPDATE: As of January 25, 2019 Verizon has backed down and said it will no longer charge Remind to use their texting services.  ITD has verified that texting is still working as of this posting.  

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Remind is a free app that some teachers or departments may use to communicate. It allows you to reach people across many platforms with one message. If you use Remind there is a big change coming that you need to be know about.  

What do I need to know?

Due to a new fee imposed by Verizon, Remind can no longer continue providing free text notifications for devices on the Verizon Wireless network. As a result, Verizon Wireless customers who use the free Remind service will not be able to receive or send text messages as of January 28, 2019.

How will this affect me?

If you use Verizon as your wireless carrier Remind recommends two things to continue to receive messages:
  • On your phone: Turn on smartphone notifications (RECOMMENDED)

  • On your computer: Turn on email notifications

What is ITD doing about it?

Ann Arbor Public Schools uses Verizon as its phone carrier. As such we are trying to use whatever leverage this gives us to try to convince Verizon to change their mind on imposing this fee on Remind.  

What can I do about it?

Verizon has backed down a little bit and said they will not impose the fee after all, but Remind is saying they have not gotten anything in writing so they are moving forward with the 1/28/19 shutoff.  If you communicate with Remind, please reach out to your group and warn them they may stop receiving messages if they use Verizon. If you only receive messages please follow the steps above to continue to get messages.  There is also a small movement of educators who have taken to social media to voice their concern. Feel free to reach out to Verizon and let them know that you’re asking them to #ReverseTheFee on Remind—and share how you’ve used Remind in your classroom and community, because your messages are #NotSpam.

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