How did Verizon Communications get its name?
Verizon is a portmanteau of veritas, Latin for truth, and horizon. Bell Atlantic adopted the name in June 2000 when the FCC approved its $64.7 billion merger with GTE.
Questions about Verizon
Short answers, pulled from the story.
How many wireless subscribers does Verizon have?
Verizon's mobile network had 146.8 million subscribers as of the 31st of March 2026, making it the largest wireless carrier in the United States.
What were the Baby Bells and how did Verizon originate from them?
The Baby Bells were seven Regional Bell Operating Companies created in 1984 when a Department of Justice settlement broke up the original AT&T's Bell System. Bell Atlantic, one of those seven, eventually merged with fellow Baby Bell NYNEX in 1997 and with GTE in 2000, changing its name to Verizon. Verizon is one of only three surviving companies with roots in the original Baby Bell breakup.
How much did Verizon pay to buy Vodafone's stake in Verizon Wireless?
Verizon purchased Vodafone's 45% stake in Verizon Wireless for $130 billion. The deal closed on the 21st of February 2014 and was the third-largest corporate deal ever signed at that time.
What happened to Verizon's AOL and Yahoo acquisitions?
Verizon acquired AOL in 2015 for around $4.4 billion and Yahoo's core internet business in 2017 for $4.48 billion, combining them in a division first called Oath, then Verizon Media. In 2021, Verizon sold the media group to Apollo Global Management for $5 billion, retaining a 10% stake.
When did Verizon acquire Frontier Communications and for how much?
Verizon acquired Frontier Communications on the 20th of January 2026, after announcing the all-stock deal on the 5th of September 2024 at $38.50 per share, valuing Frontier at $20 billion. The FCC approved the deal on the 16th of May 2025.