Texting not yet activated

[shanghaistephen]

I just had to upgrade my phone on Saturday.  While doing this, I decided to add texting -- 500 text and picture messages with unlimited messaging to Verizon numbers for $10/month -- my family is all on one plan, by the service rep said he would add the service only to my line.  However, when trying to text on my new phone, it still says "service unavailable" after trying to send a message.  Is it normal for this service to be delayed in activation when added to one line of a plan? Thanks.

[cstrait001 · Accepted solution]

Try pulling the battery from the phone, reinserting and trying again. Double check to make sure the number you're sending to is valid and that you're entering the complete number with the area code (do not enter a "1" before the area code).

The error message you received sounds like a network issue. In order to send/receive text messages you need to have service available just like when you make a voice call. If you have service, then there's not much else you can do on your end.

You will probably need to contact customer care for troubleshooting. The care rep will probably check there's no block, reset the messaging features on your account, make a test text to your phone and have you try on your end to see if you can send. If not successful, then you wil be transferred to Tier 2 Technical Support for further troubleshooting. Call from a different phone than your mobile and have your phone with you.  From another VZW phone, it's *611 or 800-922-0204. Hope you will let us know how it's resolved.

[shanghaistephen]

Thank you for the help.  Turns out it was a technical error on Verizon's part, my texting was activated, but blocked on my line.  Calling customer support worked it all out.