Verizon’s Message Alert service, which sends a text message to subscribers’ wireless phones when their landline phone receives a voicemail, is now available to all Verizon residential and small business customers nationwide.

Verizon had initially rolled out the service in June in New York and New England.

“This new feature recognizes the popularity of wireless phones and our need to have instant access to our messages,” said Rich McCusker, director of product development for Verizon.

Voicemail service is typically more reliable than answering machines, normally continuing to work even when electrical power is out, or telephone service is disrupted due to weather or other circumstances.

There is no charge to receive the notification on Verizon Wireless phones. Other wireless carriers may charge for receipt of the SMS text message.

Verizon subscribers will need to contact their business office to add the feature.

MCI residential and small business subscribers have had a similar feature for about two years. MCI subscribers can set up the feature online, as well as receive their voicemail messages at any e-mail address and listen to them online, from messagecenter.mci.com. Verizon is merging with MCI pending regulatory approval.