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| industry        = Telecommunications
| industry        = Telecommunications
| founded        = 1983
| founded        = 1983
| founders        = [[Charles R. Lee]]<br>
| founders        = [[Charles R. Lee]] & [[Ivan G. Seidenberg]]
Ivan R. Seidenberg
| ownership      =  
| ownership      =  
| headquarters    = New York
| headquarters    = New York
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| twitter        = Verizon
| twitter        = Verizon
| keypeople      = [[Ivan G. Seidenberg]], Chairman and CEO <br>
| keypeople      = [[Ivan G. Seidenberg]], Chairman and CEO <br>
[[Lowell C. Mc Adam]], President and COO <br>
[[Lowell C. McAdam]], President and COO <br>
Francis J. Shamm, EVP & CFO
Francis J. Shamm, EVP & CFO
}}
}}


'''Verizon Communications, Inc. (Verizon)''' is a global telecommunications and broadband provider serving more than 104 million connection in the United States. The company employs has more than 196 thousand workers and generated $106.6 million in 2010.  It's headquarters is located in New York, New York.<ref>[http://www22.verizon.com/investor/investor.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=companyinfo_overview Verizon.com]</ref>
'''Verizon Communications, Inc. (Verizon)''' is a global telecommunications and broadband provider serving more than 104 million connections in the United States. The company employs more than 196 thousand workers, and generated $106.6 million in 2010.  It's headquarters is located in New York City, New York.<ref>[http://www22.verizon.com/investor/investor.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=companyinfo_overview Verizon.com]</ref>


Verizon is a composite of Dow Jones Industrial Index and it is trading on NASDAQ and NYSE under the ticker symbol  
Verizon is a composite of Dow Jones Industrial Index and it is trading on NASDAQ and NYSE under the ticker symbol VZ.


==History==
==History==


===Bell Atlantic Corp===
===Bell Atlantic Corp===
Verizon Communications, Inc. was formerly known as '''Bell Atlantic Corporation''' which was founded in 1983, one of the companies that can be traced back to the Bell System, an organizational structure of the '''American, Telephone and Telegraph Co.''' ([[AT&T]]), the largest private company in the U.S. with 1 million employees. The Bell System is a legally sanctioned, regulated monopoly under the Communications Act of 1934 with an objective to make available...for all the people of the United States a rapid, efficient nationwide...wire and radio communication service with adequate facilities at reasonable charge." <ref>[http://www22.verizon.com/investor/investor.portal_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=companyinfo_corporatehistory Corporate History]</ref>
Verizon Communications, Inc., formerly known as '''Bell Atlantic Corporation''', was founded in 1983. It was one of the companies that can be traced back to Bell System, an organizational structure of [[AT&T]], the largest private company in the U.S. with 1 million employees. The Bell System is a legally sanctioned, regulated monopoly under the Communications Act of 1934 with an objective "to make available for all the people of the United States a rapid, efficient nationwide...wire and radio communication service with adequate facilities at reasonable charge".<ref>[http://www22.verizon.com/investor/investor.portal_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=companyinfo_corporatehistory Corporate History]</ref>


On January 1 1984,a '''Divestiture''' occurred. The 22 local operating companies under AT&T split into seven regional holding companies (RHC).<ref>[http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/history2/47/Bell-Atlantic-Corporation.html Bell Atlantic Corp. Profile]</ref> The divestiture was part of the out court settlement agreement between AT&T and the US Department of Justice, which filed an anti-trust law suit against the company for unlawfully monopolizing the telecommunications market. The case lasted for 13 years and ended in 1982. Bell Atlantic Corporation was one of the seven companies formed as a result of the AT&T split up.<ref>[http://www22.verizon.com/investor/investor.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=companyinfo_corporatehistory Corporate History]</ref>
On January 1, 1984, a divestiture occurred. The 22 local operating companies under AT&T split into seven regional holding companies (RHC).<ref>[http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/history2/47/Bell-Atlantic-Corporation.html Bell Atlantic Corp. Profile]</ref> The divestiture was part of the out-of-court settlement agreement between AT&T and the US Department of Justice, which filed an anti-trust lawsuit against the company for unlawfully monopolizing the telecommunications market. The case lasted for 13 years and ended in 1982. Bell Atlantic Corporation was one of the seven companies formed as a result of the AT&T split.<ref>[http://www22.verizon.com/investor/investor.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=companyinfo_corporatehistory Corporate History]</ref>


Bell Atlantic Corp.was composed of Bell of Pennsylvania, C&P Telephone Companies of D.C., Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia; Diamond State Telephone, and New Jersey Bell serving the states Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia and the District of Columbia.The company's headquarter was located in Philadelphia.
Bell Atlantic Corp. was composed of Bell of Pennsylvania, C&P Telephone Companies of D.C., Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia; Diamond State Telephone, and New Jersey Bell serving the states Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia and the District of Columbia. The company's headquarters was located in Philadelphia.


===Bell Atlantic and NYNEX===
===Bell Atlantic and NYNEX===
'''Nynex''' was one of the seven RHC companies formed after the divestiture which was composed of the New York and New England Telephone companies operating in the states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont.<ref>[http://www22.verizon.com/investor/investor.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=companyinfo_corporatehistory NYNEX]</ref>
'''Nynex''' was one of the seven RHC companies formed after the divestiture; it was composed of the New York and New England Telephone companies operating in the states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont.<ref>[http://www22.verizon.com/investor/investor.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=companyinfo_corporatehistory NYNEX]</ref>


In 1997, the Federal Communications Commission approved the $23 billion dollar merger between Bell Atlantic Corp. and NYNEX.<ref>[http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Common_Carrier/News_Releases/1997/nrcc7059.html FCC Press Release]</ref> Bell Atlantic was retained as the name of merged company and the main office in New York. '''Raymond W. Smith''' of Bell Atlantic  retained its position as Chairman after the merger while '''Ivan G.  Seidenberg''', of NYNEX, became Vice Chairman, President and Chief Operating Officer. When Smith retired in 1998, Seidenberg assumed as  Chairman and CEO of the company. The merger of Bell Atlantic and NYNEX is the beginning of the present Verizon Wireless.<ref>[http://www22.verizon.com/investor/investor.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=companyinfo_corporatehistory Bell Atlantic-NYNEX Merger]</ref>
In 1997, the Federal Communications Commission approved the $23 billion dollar merger between Bell Atlantic Corp. and NYNEX.<ref>[http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Common_Carrier/News_Releases/1997/nrcc7059.html FCC Press Release]</ref> Bell Atlantic was retained as the name of the new company, and the main office was in New York. [[Raymond W. Smith]] of Bell Atlantic  retained his position as Chairman after the merger while [[Ivan G.  Seidenberg]], of NYNEX, became Vice Chairman, President and Chief Operating Officer. When Smith retired in 1998, Seidenberg assumed as  Chairman and CEO of the company. The merger of Bell Atlantic and NYNEX is the beginning of the present Verizon Wireless.<ref>[http://www22.verizon.com/investor/investor.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=companyinfo_corporatehistory Bell Atlantic-NYNEX Merger]</ref>


===Bell Atlantic Corp. and GTE ===
===Bell Atlantic Corp. and GTE ===
'''GTE''' was the largest independent telephone company in the United States which was formed through mergers and acquisitions from independent small telecommunications companies apart from the Bell System. GTE was founded in 1918 by '''John F. O'Connell''', '''Sigurd L. Odegard''' and '''John A. Pratt''' in when they bought '''Richland Telephone Co.''' and later acquired other telephone properties in Wisconsin. The partners formed a corporation in 1920 under the name '''Commonwealth Telephone Company'''.Sigurd L. Odegard became the company President.<ref>[http://www.shabee.info/?p=1726 GTE History]</ref>
'''GTE''' was the largest independent telephone company in the United States; it was formed through mergers and acquisitions of small telecommunications companies independent of Bell System. GTE was founded in 1918 by John F. O'Connell''', Sigurd L. Odegard and John A. Pratt when they bought Richland Telephone Co.; they later acquired other telephone properties in Wisconsin. The partners formed a corporation in 1920 under the name '''Commonwealth Telephone Company'''. Sigurd L. Odegard became the company President.<ref>[http://www.shabee.info/?p=1726 GTE History]</ref>


In 1933, The company re-organized after the 1929 stock market crash and the Great Depression as '''General Telephone Corp.'''In 1955, The company merged with '''Theodore Gary and Co'''. Four years later, the company merged with '''Sylvania Electric Products Inc.''', one of the leading companies in electronics, lighting, radio & television and chemistry & metallurgy. This merger 1n 1959 formed the '''General Telephone & Electronics Corp (GT&E)'''.<ref>[http://www.shabee.info/?p=1726 Sylvania-GTE Merger]</ref>
In 1933, The company re-organized after the 1929 stock market crash and the Great Depression as '''General Telephone Corp.'''. In 1955, The company merged with '''Theodore Gary and Co'''. Four years later, the company merged with '''Sylvania Electric Products Inc.''', one of the leading companies in electronics, lighting, radio & television and chemistry & metallurgy. This merger 1n 1959 formed the '''General Telephone & Electronics Corp (GT&E)'''.<ref>[http://www.shabee.info/?p=1726 Sylvania-GTE Merger]</ref>


In 1981, GTE Mobilnet was formed to construct and operate cellular systems and in 1982 the company formally changed its name to GTE Corp.By 1998, GTE became the first provider of cellular communication nationwide.By the end of the 80's GTE's annual revenue is over $17 billion.<ref>[http://www22.verizon.com/investor/investor.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=companyinfo_corporatehistory GTE History]</ref>
In 1981, GTE Mobilnet was formed to construct and operate cellular systems and in 1982 the company formally changed its name to GTE Corp. By 1998, GTE became the first provider of cellular communication nationwide. By the end of the 80's GTE's annual revenue exceeded $17 billion.<ref>[http://www22.verizon.com/investor/investor.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=companyinfo_corporatehistory GTE History]</ref>


GTE focused in local telecommunications business and data services during the 90's under the leadership of James L. "Rocky" Johnson, who became GTE's Chairman and CEO in 1987, and Chuck Lee, who became Chairman and CEO-elect in late 1991. The company foreseen the importance and growing market in telecommunications technology and and its shift from analog to digital.<ref>[http://www22.verizon.com/investor/investor.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=companyinfo_corporatehistory GTE History]</ref>  
GTE focused in local telecommunications business and data services during the 90's under the leadership of James L. "Rocky" Johnson, who became GTE's Chairman and CEO in 1987, and Chuck Lee, who became Chairman and CEO-elect in late 1991. The company anticipated the importance and growing market in telecommunications technology, and and its shift from analog to digital.<ref>[http://www22.verizon.com/investor/investor.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=companyinfo_corporatehistory GTE History]</ref>  


On June 30, 2000, GTE and Bell Atlantic Corporation entered a $116 billion merger forming Verizon Communications, Inc. The combined company was valued $150 billion and became the largest wireline and wireless communications service provider and leader in data services in the United States.<ref>[http://www.wsws.org/articles/2000/jul2000/bell-j24.shtml Bell Atlantic-GTE Merger]</ref>
On June 30, 2000, GTE and Bell Atlantic Corporation entered a $116 billion merger forming '''Verizon Communications, Inc.'''. The new company was valued at $150 billion and became the largest wireline and wireless communications service provider and leader in data services in the United States.<ref>[http://www.wsws.org/articles/2000/jul2000/bell-j24.shtml Bell Atlantic-GTE Merger]</ref>


Charles Lee of GTE assumed the Chairmanship while Ivan Seidenberg was named President. The two shared the position and responsibilities of Chief Executive Officer of the newly formed Verizon.<ref>[http://washingtontechnology.com/articles/2000/06/30/its-official-bell-atlantic-gte-merge.aspx Verizon.com]</ref>
Charles Lee of GTE assumed the Chairmanship while Ivan Seidenberg was named President. The two shared the position and responsibilities of Chief Executive Officer of the newly formed Verizon.<ref>[http://washingtontechnology.com/articles/2000/06/30/its-official-bell-atlantic-gte-merge.aspx Verizon.com]</ref>


The company's revenue in 2003 was $67.8 billion nearly doubling AT&T total revenue, subsequently on April 8, 2004, Verizon was included to the Dow Jones Industrial Average.<ref>[http://money.cnn.com/2004/04/01/markets/dow/index.htm CNN Money]</ref>
The company's revenue in 2003 was $67.8 billion, nearly doubling AT&T's total revenue; subsequently, on April 8, 2004, Verizon was included in the Dow Jones Industrial Average.<ref>[http://money.cnn.com/2004/04/01/markets/dow/index.htm CNN Money]</ref>


==Growth and Expansion==
==Growth and Expansion==


===Verizon and MCI Merger===
===Verizon and MCI Merger===
On January 6, 2006, Verizon  acquired MCI under an $ 8.5 billion transaction to enhance the company's capability to deliver the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment across the country and around the world.<ref>[http://www.tmcnet.com/news/2006/jan/1266771.htm Verizon-MCI Merger]</ref> The company became a global provider of advance telecommunications and information technology solutions to large businesses as well as government entities. Verizon has more than 100 million customers in the US with a nationwide presence in wireline and wireless market.
On January 6, 2006, Verizon  acquired [[MCI]], through a $ 8.5 billion transaction, to enhance the company's capability to deliver the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment across the country and around the world.<ref>[http://www.tmcnet.com/news/2006/jan/1266771.htm Verizon-MCI Merger]</ref> The company became a global provider of advance telecommunications and information technology solutions to large businesses as well as government entities. Verizon has more than 100 million customers in the US with a nationwide presence in wireline and wireless market.


===Alltel Corp. Acquisition===
===Alltel Corp. Acquisition===
In 2009, the company acquired Alltel Corp. Verizon Wireless became the largest wireless service provider in the U.S. based on total number of customers.<ref>[http://www22.verizon.com/investor/investor.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=companyinfo_corporatehistory Verizon Recent History]</ref>
In 2009, the company acquired Alltel Corp. Verizon Wireless became the largest wireless service provider in the U.S. based on total number of customers.<ref>[http://www22.verizon.com/investor/investor.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=companyinfo_corporatehistory Verizon Recent History]</ref>
===Latest Statistics===
===Latest Statistics===
The company's reported total revenue for the year 2010 was $106.6 billion and it employs more than 194 thousand employees serving customers within 140 countries. The Verizon Center, located in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, is the company's operations hub.<ref>[http://www22.verizon.com/investor/investor.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=companyinfo_corporatehistory Current Statistics]</ref>


The company's reported total revenue for the year 2010 was $106.6 billion and it employs more than 194 thousand employees serving customers within 140 countries. The Verizon Center located in Basking Ridge, New Jersey is the company operations hub.<ref>[http://www22.verizon.com/investor/investor.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=companyinfo_corporatehistory Current Statistics]</ref>
Verizon Wireless launched its 4G LTE (fourth-generation Long Term Evolution) Mobile Broadband network in December, 2010, within 38 markets covering 110 million customers.<ref>[http://news.cnet.com/8301-30686_3-20018768-266.html CSNET.com]</ref>


Verizon Wireless launched its 4G LTE (fourth-generation Long Term Evolution) Mobile Broadband network December 2010 within 38 markets covering 110 million customers.<ref>[http://news.cnet.com/8301-30686_3-20018768-266.html CSNET.com]</ref>
Verizon's latest acquisition was Terremark Worldwide Inc., under  a cash-for-stock agreement valued at US $1.4 billion, in 2011. The company's move was prompted by the latest trend of wireless operator involvement and ownership of enterprise services delivered in the cloud.<ref>[http://www.wirelessindustrynews.org/news-jan-2011/2363-012811-win-news.html wirelessindustrynews.org]</ref>
 
Verizon's latest acquisition was the Terremark Worldwide Inc. under  a cash-for-stock agreement valued at US $1.4 billion in 2011. The company's move was prompted by the latest trend, a more wireless operator involvement and ownership of enterprise services delivered in the cloud.<ref>[http://www.wirelessindustrynews.org/news-jan-2011/2363-012811-win-news.html wirelessindustrynews.org]</ref>


==Verizon Domain Name Disputes==
==Verizon Domain Name Disputes==


Over the years, Verizon has been fighting for the protection of its trademark and domain name. The company filed several lawsuits against companies that registered a Verizon domain name in bad faith. One of the legal battles involving Verizon regarding its domain name was against domain portfolio owner [[IREIT]]. In 2007, Verizon and IREIT entered a settlement agreement.The settlement between the companies include a monetary payment to Verizon and a permanent injunction will be issued to IREIT prohibiting the company from registering, trafficking in, or using, as a registrant, any domain name that is identical or confusingly similar to the Verizon trademarks.<ref>[http://www.domainnamenews.com/legal-issues/ireit-and-verizon-settle-legal-dispute/1350 Domain Name News]</ref>
Over the years, Verizon has been fighting for the protection of its trademark and domain name. The company filed several lawsuits against companies that registered a Verizon domain name in bad faith. One of the legal battles involving Verizon regarding its domain name was against domain portfolio owner [[Internet REIT]]; in 2007, Verizon and IREIT entered a settlement agreement. The settlement between the companies included a monetary payment to Verizon and a permanent injunction issued to IREIT prohibiting the company from registering, trafficking in, or using, as a registrant, any domain name that is identical or confusingly similar to the Verizon trademarks.<ref>[http://www.domainnamenews.com/legal-issues/ireit-and-verizon-settle-legal-dispute/1350 Domain Name News]</ref>
   
   
Furthermore, in 2008, Verizon won a $33.15 million cybersquatting law suit against domain name registrar [[OnlineNic]], a company based in San Francisco that claimed 663 verizon sites such as verizononline.com, myverizonwireless.com, 123verizonphones.com, using an automated process.The fake sites hosted ad links and pop-under advertisements making revenue for OnlineNIC. <ref>[http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/12/26/verizon_awarded_33mil_against_onlinenic/ Verizon Awarded $33.15 million against cybersquatter]</ref>
Furthermore, in 2008, Verizon won a $33.15 million [[Cybersquatting|cybersquatting]] law suit against domain name registrar [[OnlineNic]], a company based in San Francisco that claimed 663 Verizon sites such as verizononline.com, myverizonwireless.com, 123verizonphones.com, using an automated process. The fake sites hosted ad links and pop-under advertisements, generating revenue for OnlineNIC.<ref>[http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/12/26/verizon_awarded_33mil_against_onlinenic/ Verizon Awarded $33.15 million against cybersquatter]</ref>


==ICANN and Verizon==
==ICANN and Verizon==
 
On April 19, 2009, Verizon submitted its comments on the second version of the [[DAG|Draft Application Guidebook]] for new [[gTLD]]s. Verizon encouraged ICANN to delay any further version of the DAG and delay its timeline to introduce new gTLD until certain fundamental tresholds had been addressed, such as:<ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/correspondence/deutsch-to-twomey-13apr09-en.pdf icann.org]</ref>
On April 19, 2009, Verizon submitted its comments on the second version of the Draft Application Guidebook (DAG) for new [[gTLD]]. Verizon encouraged ICANN to delay any further version of the DAG and delay its timeline to introduce new gTLD until the fundamental tresholds had been addressed such as:<ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/correspondence/deutsch-to-twomey-13apr09-en.pdf icann.org]</ref>
# Completing an impartial economic study with comprehensive empirical evidence to support the need for new TLDs
# Completing an impartial economic study with comprehensive empirical evidence to support the need for new TLDs
# Addressing concerns about the safety and stability of internet
# Addressing concerns about the safety and stability of the Internet throughout the introduction of new [[gTLD]]s
# Protecting against phishing, malware and fraud
# Protecting against phishing, malware and fraud
# Establishing a comprehensive set of protection to curb trademark abuse at all stages of the new TLD process
# Establishing a comprehensive set of protection to curb trademark abuse at all stages of the new TLD process


The company emphasized its concern over [[cybersquatting]], [[domain tasting]] and [[domain kiting]] and over the years it spent millions of dollars protecting its brand, trademarks and intellectual property rights in federal courts and under the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy ([[UDRP]]].Verizon commented that the following fundamental rights protection measures are needed to address trademark concerns:<ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/correspondence/deutsch-to-twomey-13apr09-en.pdf icann.org]</ref>
The company emphasized its concern over [[cybersquatting]], [[Domain Tasting|domain tasting]] and [[Domain Kiting|domain kiting]] and over the years it has spent millions of dollars protecting its brand, trademarks and [[Intellectual Property|intellectual property]] rights in federal courts and under the [[UDRP|Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy]]. Verizon commented that the following fundamental rights protection measures are needed to address trademark concerns:<ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/correspondence/deutsch-to-twomey-13apr09-en.pdf icann.org]</ref>
# Expedited Suspension Mechanism
# Expedited Suspension Mechanism
# Creation of gTLD reserved List (White List)
# Creation of gTLD reserved List (White List)
Line 97: Line 91:




[[Category: Companies]]
[[Category:Telecommunications]]

Latest revision as of 18:41, 17 March 2021

Type: Publicly held
Industry: Telecommunications
Founded: 1983
Founder(s): Charles R. Lee & Ivan G. Seidenberg
Headquarters: New York
Country: USA
Employees: 194,000
Revenue: $106.6 billion operating 2010 [1]
Website: Vsrizon
Facebook: Verizon
LinkedIn: Verizon
Twitter: @Verizon
Key People
Ivan G. Seidenberg, Chairman and CEO

Lowell C. McAdam, President and COO
Francis J. Shamm, EVP & CFO

Verizon Communications, Inc. (Verizon) is a global telecommunications and broadband provider serving more than 104 million connections in the United States. The company employs more than 196 thousand workers, and generated $106.6 million in 2010. It's headquarters is located in New York City, New York.[2]

Verizon is a composite of Dow Jones Industrial Index and it is trading on NASDAQ and NYSE under the ticker symbol VZ.

History[edit | edit source]

Bell Atlantic Corp[edit | edit source]

Verizon Communications, Inc., formerly known as Bell Atlantic Corporation, was founded in 1983. It was one of the companies that can be traced back to Bell System, an organizational structure of AT&T, the largest private company in the U.S. with 1 million employees. The Bell System is a legally sanctioned, regulated monopoly under the Communications Act of 1934 with an objective "to make available for all the people of the United States a rapid, efficient nationwide...wire and radio communication service with adequate facilities at reasonable charge".[3]

On January 1, 1984, a divestiture occurred. The 22 local operating companies under AT&T split into seven regional holding companies (RHC).[4] The divestiture was part of the out-of-court settlement agreement between AT&T and the US Department of Justice, which filed an anti-trust lawsuit against the company for unlawfully monopolizing the telecommunications market. The case lasted for 13 years and ended in 1982. Bell Atlantic Corporation was one of the seven companies formed as a result of the AT&T split.[5]

Bell Atlantic Corp. was composed of Bell of Pennsylvania, C&P Telephone Companies of D.C., Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia; Diamond State Telephone, and New Jersey Bell serving the states Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia and the District of Columbia. The company's headquarters was located in Philadelphia.

Bell Atlantic and NYNEX[edit | edit source]

Nynex was one of the seven RHC companies formed after the divestiture; it was composed of the New York and New England Telephone companies operating in the states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont.[6]

In 1997, the Federal Communications Commission approved the $23 billion dollar merger between Bell Atlantic Corp. and NYNEX.[7] Bell Atlantic was retained as the name of the new company, and the main office was in New York. Raymond W. Smith of Bell Atlantic retained his position as Chairman after the merger while Ivan G. Seidenberg, of NYNEX, became Vice Chairman, President and Chief Operating Officer. When Smith retired in 1998, Seidenberg assumed as Chairman and CEO of the company. The merger of Bell Atlantic and NYNEX is the beginning of the present Verizon Wireless.[8]

Bell Atlantic Corp. and GTE[edit | edit source]

GTE was the largest independent telephone company in the United States; it was formed through mergers and acquisitions of small telecommunications companies independent of Bell System. GTE was founded in 1918 by John F. O'Connell, Sigurd L. Odegard and John A. Pratt when they bought Richland Telephone Co.; they later acquired other telephone properties in Wisconsin. The partners formed a corporation in 1920 under the name Commonwealth Telephone Company. Sigurd L. Odegard became the company President.[9]

In 1933, The company re-organized after the 1929 stock market crash and the Great Depression as General Telephone Corp.. In 1955, The company merged with Theodore Gary and Co. Four years later, the company merged with Sylvania Electric Products Inc., one of the leading companies in electronics, lighting, radio & television and chemistry & metallurgy. This merger 1n 1959 formed the General Telephone & Electronics Corp (GT&E).[10]

In 1981, GTE Mobilnet was formed to construct and operate cellular systems and in 1982 the company formally changed its name to GTE Corp. By 1998, GTE became the first provider of cellular communication nationwide. By the end of the 80's GTE's annual revenue exceeded $17 billion.[11]

GTE focused in local telecommunications business and data services during the 90's under the leadership of James L. "Rocky" Johnson, who became GTE's Chairman and CEO in 1987, and Chuck Lee, who became Chairman and CEO-elect in late 1991. The company anticipated the importance and growing market in telecommunications technology, and and its shift from analog to digital.[12]

On June 30, 2000, GTE and Bell Atlantic Corporation entered a $116 billion merger forming Verizon Communications, Inc.. The new company was valued at $150 billion and became the largest wireline and wireless communications service provider and leader in data services in the United States.[13]

Charles Lee of GTE assumed the Chairmanship while Ivan Seidenberg was named President. The two shared the position and responsibilities of Chief Executive Officer of the newly formed Verizon.[14]

The company's revenue in 2003 was $67.8 billion, nearly doubling AT&T's total revenue; subsequently, on April 8, 2004, Verizon was included in the Dow Jones Industrial Average.[15]

Growth and Expansion[edit | edit source]

Verizon and MCI Merger[edit | edit source]

On January 6, 2006, Verizon acquired MCI, through a $ 8.5 billion transaction, to enhance the company's capability to deliver the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment across the country and around the world.[16] The company became a global provider of advance telecommunications and information technology solutions to large businesses as well as government entities. Verizon has more than 100 million customers in the US with a nationwide presence in wireline and wireless market.

Alltel Corp. Acquisition[edit | edit source]

In 2009, the company acquired Alltel Corp. Verizon Wireless became the largest wireless service provider in the U.S. based on total number of customers.[17]

Latest Statistics[edit | edit source]

The company's reported total revenue for the year 2010 was $106.6 billion and it employs more than 194 thousand employees serving customers within 140 countries. The Verizon Center, located in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, is the company's operations hub.[18]

Verizon Wireless launched its 4G LTE (fourth-generation Long Term Evolution) Mobile Broadband network in December, 2010, within 38 markets covering 110 million customers.[19]

Verizon's latest acquisition was Terremark Worldwide Inc., under a cash-for-stock agreement valued at US $1.4 billion, in 2011. The company's move was prompted by the latest trend of wireless operator involvement and ownership of enterprise services delivered in the cloud.[20]

Verizon Domain Name Disputes[edit | edit source]

Over the years, Verizon has been fighting for the protection of its trademark and domain name. The company filed several lawsuits against companies that registered a Verizon domain name in bad faith. One of the legal battles involving Verizon regarding its domain name was against domain portfolio owner Internet REIT; in 2007, Verizon and IREIT entered a settlement agreement. The settlement between the companies included a monetary payment to Verizon and a permanent injunction issued to IREIT prohibiting the company from registering, trafficking in, or using, as a registrant, any domain name that is identical or confusingly similar to the Verizon trademarks.[21]

Furthermore, in 2008, Verizon won a $33.15 million cybersquatting law suit against domain name registrar OnlineNic, a company based in San Francisco that claimed 663 Verizon sites such as verizononline.com, myverizonwireless.com, 123verizonphones.com, using an automated process. The fake sites hosted ad links and pop-under advertisements, generating revenue for OnlineNIC.[22]

ICANN and Verizon[edit | edit source]

On April 19, 2009, Verizon submitted its comments on the second version of the Draft Application Guidebook for new gTLDs. Verizon encouraged ICANN to delay any further version of the DAG and delay its timeline to introduce new gTLD until certain fundamental tresholds had been addressed, such as:[23]

  1. Completing an impartial economic study with comprehensive empirical evidence to support the need for new TLDs
  2. Addressing concerns about the safety and stability of the Internet throughout the introduction of new gTLDs
  3. Protecting against phishing, malware and fraud
  4. Establishing a comprehensive set of protection to curb trademark abuse at all stages of the new TLD process

The company emphasized its concern over cybersquatting, domain tasting and domain kiting and over the years it has spent millions of dollars protecting its brand, trademarks and intellectual property rights in federal courts and under the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy. Verizon commented that the following fundamental rights protection measures are needed to address trademark concerns:[24]

  1. Expedited Suspension Mechanism
  2. Creation of gTLD reserved List (White List)
  3. Post-Delegation Dispute Resolution Procedure; and other concerns related to this matter.

References[edit | edit source]