Verizon Announces New 'FreeBee Data' Sponsored Data Service

Verizon has announced FreeBee Data, a new sponsored data service that makes it possible for companies to pay for users data when accessing their content.

The FreeBee Data service has two models. With FreeBee Data 360, content providers can sign up to provide consumers some or all of their mobile content – whether in an app or mobile website – without using consumers’ data plans. FreeBee Data 360 is billed using a per gigabyte pricing model.

Alternatively, content providers can sponsor specific consumer actions on a per-click basis, free of data charges for subscribers – including mobile video clips, audio streaming, and app downloads.


FreeBee Data 360 is commercially available on a beta basis starting today. Interested content providers can use this service to sponsor data for all of Verizon’s post-paid customers. On January 25, Verizon will begin a beta trial of the separate pay-per-click service. Brands already signed up to participate in the pay-per-click trial include Hearst Magazines, AOL and GAMEDAY. These content providers will sponsor some mobile content for 1,000 test subscribers. Other brands are welcome to participate in the trial. Commercial availability of the pay-per-click service is expected later this year.

“With 1 in 3 Americans now watching videos on their smartphone, and another 100 million on tablets, the business case for mobile is clear,” said Colson Hillier, vice president, Consumer Products at Verizon. “In today’s digital economy, FreeBee Data is a departure from the one size fits all approach to marketing. The opportunity to add value and utility to consumers’ everyday experiences will fundamentally transform how brands and businesses connect with their customers.”

Read More