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===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==