Verizon Wireless has reversed course and will allow NARAL Pro-Choice America to use its mobile network for a sign-up text messaging program.

Company spokesman Jeffrey Nelson said the decision not to allow text messaging was incorrect.

Nelson had said Wednesday that abortion was among topics barred from mass distribution based on the company's code of content.

However, the code was developed before text-messaging became a mass-market phenomenon.

NARAL lets people sign up to receive its text messages by keying in a message to a five-digit number.

Other leading wireless carriers have accepted Naral's request to use their networks.

Verizon, one of the nation’s largest wireless carriers, said it does not accept programs from any group "that seeks to promote an agenda or distribute content that, in its discretion, may be seen as controversial or unsavory to any of our users," The New York Times reported, based on copies provided by Naral of its communications with Verizon.

Nancy Keenan, Naral’s president, told the newspaper that Verizon’s decision interfered with political speech and activism.

"No company should be allowed to censor the message we want to send to people who have asked us to send it to them," Ms. Keenan told the newspaper. "Regardless of people’s political views, Verizon customers should decide what action to take on their phones. Why does Verizon get to make that choice for them?"