AT&T, Verizon offering free calls to Japan

HOUSTON

Now through March 31, AT&T is offering free international calls and text messaging from the U.S. and Puerto Rico to Japan.

Verizon is also offering free international calling to Japan until April 10. Its offer also works with the Verizon Prepaid Phone Card.

"We want to help our customers connect with loved ones in Japan in anyway we can," said Mark Collins, senior vice president, Voice and Data Products, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. "Connecting with family and friends is most important at times like this. We want to make it as easy and worry free as possible for our customers."

Both companies also are offering a text donation service.

Verizon customers can donate $10 by sending a text message to one of 10 organizations in need of help in their aid to Japan. For a full list of the organizations and their text message codes, go to: http://news.vzw.com/news/2011/03/pr2011-03-13.html

AT&T customers can who want to help the Red Cross with support efforts in Japan can text "redcross" to 90999 to give a $10 donation. No text message fees apply.