Disney launches family mobile phone service in U.S.
The Walt Disney Co.(DIS.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Tuesday launched the U.S. version of its mobile phone service for families that allows parents to regulate when, how long and to whom their children talk on cell phones.
Disney Mobile, which is carried in the United States by Sprint Nextel Corp. (S.N: Quote, Profile, Research), also blocks kids from using their phones until they respond to messages that parents have flagged as urgent, and has a built-in satellite tracking feature to locate the cell phone.
Individual service plans for a single line start at $39.99 per month up to $169.99 per month.
Family plans, which include a minimum of two lines, range from $159.99 per month to $249.99 per month.
Handsets start at $59.99 with a two-year service agreement.
The U.S. service is now available nationally and can be ordered through Disneymobile.com or at kiosks that Disney plans to open in shopping malls across the country in coming months.
Disney said in April that it plans to roll out a similar service in the United Kingdom through British cell phone company O2 (OOM.L: Quote, Profile, Research) later this year.