Verizon has announced that it is now ready to begin beta testing its sponsored data service, called FreeBee Data. With this service, Verizon and partners hope to drive engagement with mobile content on its network by allowing customers to access various content without it impacting their data allotment for the month.

We've seen T-Mobile offer music and video streaming that doesn't count towards their data plans, and now Verizon is ready to enter the game. The beta begins on January 19, and will only work for post-paid customers. With data buckets shrinking, and people looking to stretch their monthly allotments further, FreeBee Data will allow:

Participating brands and content providers to build smarter mobile marketing campaigns targeted to Verizon Wireless subscribers using either pay-per-click or pay-per-gigabyte pricing. FreeBee Data and FreeBee Data 360 are open to any content provider, including mobile advertisers and others who want to take their mobile-first experience to the next level.

Consumers to get great content from participating brands and content providers without using their data plans. For pay-per-click campaigns, the FreeBee Data icon (a "bee") appears next to sponsored content to let Verizon Wireless subscribers know that, when they click on that content, they will not incur data charges. With FreeBee Data 360, businesses can sponsor some or all of their app or website.

Do you think this is a good move for Verizon and mobile customers as a whole, or does this go against everything Net Neutrality stands for? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

Source: Verizon