Verizon

Lore & Background

Verizon's origins trace to the breakup of the Bell System in 1984, when Bell Atlantic Corporation was created as one of the original Baby Bells. Bell Atlantic originally operated in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. In 2000, Bell Atlantic merged with GTE, forming Verizon Communications. The name combines veritas (Latin for truth) and horizon.

Reader's Guide

Verizon's significance lies in its role as a dominant force in U.S. telecommunications, formed through a series of mergers among Baby Bells and GTE. Its wireless network became the largest in the United States, and its size allowed national coverage at competitive rates. The company's history reflects the consolidation of the telecom industry after the breakup of the Bell System. Verizon also ventured into content ownership with AOL and Yahoo, though those assets were later sold. The company's legacy includes its Fios fiber-optic service, launched in 2004, and its sale of wireline assets to focus on wireless and broadband. Verizon's inclusion in the Dow Jones Industrial Average in 2004 marked its status as a major corporate entity.

Did You Know?

• Verizon was formed on June 30, 2000, from the merger of Bell Atlantic and GTE.
• The name Verizon combines veritas (Latin for truth) and horizon.
• Verizon acquired AOL in 2015 and Yahoo! Inc. in 2017, later selling the combined unit to Apollo Global Management.