Key Facts
- ✓ Visible Wireless is offering a $5 credit to customers affected by a recent Verizon network outage.
- ✓ The credit is specifically for the next month's service and can only be redeemed after January 16.
- ✓ Direct Verizon customers were offered a $20 credit for the same service disruption, highlighting a difference in compensation tiers.
- ✓ The offer was communicated via a message to customers and confirmed by users on the Visible subreddit.
- ✓ Redemption of the credit requires payment with a credit card online, excluding other payment methods.
- ✓ The outage affected the shared network infrastructure used by both Verizon and its subsidiary, Visible Wireless.
Network Disruption Response
A recent cellular service outage affecting Verizon's network has prompted a compensation response from its prepaid subsidiary, Visible Wireless. Customers of the budget-friendly carrier are receiving notifications of a service credit intended to acknowledge the disruption.
The outage, which occurred earlier this week, impacted users across multiple Verizon-owned platforms. While direct Verizon subscribers were offered a substantial credit, Visible customers are now seeing a smaller, but similar, gesture of goodwill from the company.
Visible's Compensation Offer
Visible Wireless is extending a $5 credit to its user base as a direct response to the recent service interruption. The company has communicated this offer via a message sent directly to affected account holders.
The communication from Visible explicitly acknowledges the failure in service standards. The message states:
Yesterday we let you down and for that we are sorry. We are giving you a $5 credit towards your next month of service that can be redeemed after Jan 16 when paying with a credit card online.
This credit is specifically designated for the next billing cycle. It is important to note that the redemption process has specific requirements, particularly regarding payment methods.
- Applies to the next month of service
- Redemption available after January 16
- Must be paid via credit card online
- Triggered by the recent network outage
"Yesterday we let you down and for that we are sorry. We are giving you a $5 credit towards your next month of service that can be redeemed after Jan 16 when paying with a credit card online."
— Visible Wireless Customer Message
Verizon vs. Visible: A Tale of Two Credits
The compensation offered by Visible stands in contrast to the package provided to direct Verizon customers. Those subscribed to the primary Verizon brand were offered a significantly higher amount of $20 for the same outage.
This discrepancy highlights the different pricing structures and service tiers between the two carriers. Visible operates as a digital-only, prepaid service, often at a lower price point than traditional Verizon plans. Consequently, the compensation reflects the lower monthly costs associated with the service.
The difference in credit amounts illustrates how parent companies manage subsidiary brands during service disruptions. While the network infrastructure is shared, the customer service and compensation strategies are tailored to the specific market segment each brand serves.
Customer Reaction & Verification
The offer has been verified through user reports on social platforms. The notification was initially spotted by technology news outlet 9to5Google, bringing wider attention to the compensation offer.
Further confirmation came from the Visible subreddit, where users shared the exact text of the message received. One user posted the notification on Thursday, corroborating the details of the $5 credit offer.
Interestingly, the same user noted that they had not experienced issues related to the outage personally. This suggests that Visible may be casting a wide net, offering the credit broadly to its customer base rather than strictly verifying individual outage logs.
How to Redeem the Credit
Customers looking to utilize the $5 credit must follow specific steps to ensure it is applied to their account. The process is designed for online transactions only.
The credit becomes available for redemption starting on January 16. To claim it, users must log in to their Visible account and proceed to the payment section for their next month's bill.
Crucially, the credit can only be applied when paying with a credit card. This restriction may exclude users who typically pay via debit card, PayPal, or other payment methods. Customers should verify their payment method before the billing cycle closes to ensure they can take advantage of the offer.
- Wait until after January 16 to redeem
- Log in to the Visible website or app
- Navigate to the bill payment section
- Select credit card as the payment method
- The $5 credit should apply automatically
Looking Ahead
The $5 credit from Visible serves as a standard industry practice for acknowledging service interruptions. While the amount is modest compared to the $20 offered by Verizon, it represents a tangible acknowledgment of the inconvenience caused to subscribers.
For Visible customers, the credit offers a small reduction in their upcoming bill, provided they meet the redemption criteria. As network reliability remains a top priority for consumers, such compensation efforts are essential for maintaining customer loyalty in the competitive prepaid wireless market.
