Verizon

Verizon Communications Inc. is a large American company that helps people talk, watch shows, and get online. It is based in New York City and has the most people using its mobile network in the United States.

The company started in 1983 after a big change in the way phone companies worked. It was called Bell Atlantic and was one of seven new companies that came from splitting up an old phone company. At first, Bell Atlantic worked in several states along the East Coast.

In 1997, Bell Atlantic grew bigger by joining with another company called NYNEX, moving its main office to New York City. In 2000, it bought another company named GTE and changed its name to Verizon, mixing the words "truth" (veritas) and "horizon." In later years, Verizon bought other companies like AOL and Yahoo, and in 2026, it bought Frontier Communications. Today, Verizon is one of only three companies left that came from those original seven new phone companies.

History

Bell Atlantic and mergers with NYNEX, GTE and Vodafone (1984–2002)

In 1983, the US government agreed to break up AT&T. Bell Atlantic was created as one of the new companies in 1984.

Bell Atlantic merged with NYNEX in 1996 and moved to New York City. In 2000, it formed Verizon Wireless with Vodafone, creating a mobile service with many customers. Bell Atlantic changed its name to Verizon Communications in 2000 after merging with GTE.

Verizon became the biggest local phone company in the United States, offering phone, mobile, internet, and long-distance services.

Early expansion (2003–2010)

Verizon joined the Dow Jones Industrial Average in 2004. It started Fios Internet in 2004 and Fios TV in 2005, offering high-definition channels and video on demand.

Verizon sold some of its older businesses to focus on mobile, internet, and TV. It bought MCI in 2005, growing its reach around the world.

Verizon allowed outside apps and devices on its networks in 2007 and took part in a big government sale of airwaves in 2008. It bought several companies, including Rural Cellular Corp and Alltel, getting more customers.

Expansion of services (2011–present)

Verizon bought Terremark in 2011 and Hughes Telematics in 2012, moving into new areas. It had some problems with its emergency service during a storm in 2012.

Verizon bought Vodafone’s share of Verizon Wireless in 2013, taking full control. It faced some legal issues over net neutrality and billing.

Verizon started Hum in 2015, a service to check car health, and bought companies to grow its technology and mapping services. It was criticized for not keeping up its old copper phone service in 2016.

Verizon grew its fiber network and 5G abilities by buying more companies. It reorganized into three groups—Consumer, Business, and Media—in 2019. Verizon began its 5G network rollout in 2019.

Verizon plans to open a new global center in Ireland in 2024 and worked to improve phone service in faraway places. It finished buying Frontier in January 2026.

Acquisition of AOL and Yahoo

Verizon bought AOL in 2015 and Yahoo! in 2016, making the Oath division. Verizon sold its media group, including AOL and Yahoo, to Apollo Global Management in 2021, keeping a small part of it.

Finances

In 2024, Verizon made about US$17.95 billion in profit and had a total income of US$134.788 billion. This was a small increase from the year before. In January 2025, the company's shares were worth more than $45 each, and the total value of the company was over US$163.96 billion. Verizon was ranked 31st in the Fortune 500 list for 2023 and 68th in the Fortune Global 500.

States

Verizon provides services such as internet, phone, and TV in nine eastern U.S. states. Key cities include Baltimore in Maryland, Boston in Massachusetts, New York City in New York, Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, Providence in Rhode Island, Richmond in Virginia, and Washington, DC.

Marketing campaigns

Verizon has run many marketing campaigns over the years. One famous campaign was "Can you hear me now?" which started in 2001. In these ads, an actor played a network tester asking people, "Can you hear me now?" This campaign helped Verizon gain many new customers.

Another campaign was "There's a map for that," launched in 2009. This campaign compared Verizon's network coverage with another company's coverage.

Corporate governance

Executives

As of 2025:

• Dan Schulman, chief executive
• Sowmyanarayan Sampath, head of Verizon consumer
• Kyle Malady, head of Verizon Business

Corporate responsibility

Verizon supports many important causes through its foundation, The Verizon Foundation. The company has helped people in need. It also works to help children learn about science, technology, engineering, and math through the Verizon Innovative Learning Schools program.

Verizon has also taken steps to help the environment. It issued green bonds to support projects that make electrical grids better for the planet. In 2020, Verizon launched its "Citizen Verizon" plan with goals to improve society and the environment. The plan includes training to help young people learn important digital skills.

Criticism

Some people have worried about how Verizon handles security, fair internet rules, ads, and privacy.

For security, experts said Verizon’s ways of keeping information safe were not very strong.

About fair internet rules, Verizon supported ideas that would let internet companies treat different content in different ways. In 2014, Verizon tried to change these rules but did not succeed. In 2017, there were reports that Verizon slowed down some video services, saying it was to test improving video performance.

In 2020, some groups criticized Verizon for claiming it had the best 5G network in America before the technology was widely used.

For privacy, Verizon got a low rating and was fined for sharing customers’ location data without permission in 2024.

Sponsorships and venues

Verizon sponsors many big sports teams and events. In 2007, they became the main sponsor for the National Hockey League. This helped fans watch games using their app.

They also support racing events, like the Verizon 200 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2021.

Verizon works with the National Football League. Fans can use it to stream every game. They also help the USA Team Handball and plan to start a new professional handball league in the United States. In 2024, Verizon became a sponsor for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This helps fans stay connected during the event.

Some famous places are named after Verizon, like Verizon Hall in Philadelphia. They have also sponsored many other arenas and amphitheaters across the country.