Verizon — NYSE: VZ / NASDAQ: VZ — is headquartered in New York City, New York, is one of the largest cellular networks, and iPhone and iPad carriers, in the United States.
Verizon started life as Bell Atlantic, one of the seven "Baby Bells" that was formed following the breakup of the Bell System by the Justice Department of the United States. Bell Atlantic started life in 1984, merging with another Baby Bell - NYNEX - then merging with telecommunications company GTE in 2000. The company rebranded itself Verizon in 2000 after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved the Bell Atlantic/GTE merger.
After becoming the largest local phone company in the United States, Verizon set its sights on the burgeoning cellular market. Verizon Wireless was the result, a collaboration between Verizon Communications and British telecommunications company Vodafone. Vodafone eventually sold its 45 percent stake back to Verizon in a deal valued at $130 billion.
Verizon's network has been built using Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) radio technology (similar to rival Sprint), unlike the more popular worldwide standard employed by rivals AT&T and T-Mobile, GSM.
Verizon claimed 103.3 million subscribers as of the first quarter of its fiscal 2014. Verizon was the first U.S. carrier to begin widespread migration to 4G LTE services, and says as of January that its 4G LTE service is accessible to 305 million U.S. customers in more than 500 markets — about 96 percent of the total U.S. population.
Rumor has it Verizon passed on the original iPhone and a partnership deal with Apple and Steve Jobs in 2007. Ultimately, that honor would go to Verizon's fiercest rival in the United States wireless market, AT&T. AT&T held an exclusive on the iPhone until January 2011 when Verizon became the second U.S. carrier to get the iPhone.
Gradually, over the last couple of years, Verizon's customers have complained of slower network speeds especially in congested urban areas. As a result, with near-ubiquitous nationwide coverage, Verizon's focus in 2014 has been to increase its network bandwidth.
Latest about Verizon
Verizon, AT&T International Roaming not working? You're not alone — outage hits customers worldwide
Verizon customers are reporting a major outage globally that seems to be impacting international roaming.
Grab yourself an iPhone 14 Plus, an Apple Watch SE, and an iPad in this epic Verizon deal
Get an iPhone, Apple Watch, and iPad for nothing in this wicked Verizon deal.
This major iPhone safety feature just got a big boost — Verizon Roadside Assistance comes to iPhone 14 and iPhone 15
iPhone Roadside Assistance has just added a new major partner: Verizon.
Ultimate Apple bundle at Verizon – get an iPhone 13, an iPad, and an Apple Watch SE for free
They may not be the newest devices in the Apple lineup, but they're solid options to help you save money. Especially when you pay nothing for them at Verizon.
You can get a free iPhone 13 at Verizon – but only for today
You'll have to pay monthly for the data plan, but Verizon is literally giving away the iPhone 13. The offer ends today though, so you best hurry up!
Get a free Apple Watch and $200 off an iPad when you buy an iPhone 14 Plus at Verizon
The iPhone 14 Plus is the iPhone 14, but bigger. This deal makes the price a lot smaller, only $5 a month at Verizon!
Trade in and save up to $1,000 on an iPhone 14 Pro at Verizon - and you might get it in time for Christmas
Big savings over at Verizon - that's almost an iPhone for free. If you order quickly, you might even get it in time for Christmas.
The best Verizon iPhone deals - for the holidays and beyond
Verizon offers some great deals during the holidays for iPhones - here's how you can save some money, and score some great extras.
Take Verizon Test Drive for a spin on your iPhone with a free 5G eSIM and 100GB of data
Verizon Test Drive will give you a 5G eSIM and 100GB of data to take the network for a spin.
Save $800 on a second iPhone 14 Pro with initial purchase at Verizon
If you buy one iPhone 14 Pro at Verizon, you'll get $800 off a second. Add in the $200 store credit you get for switching, and that's a much cheaper iPhone.
Get the iPhone 14 Pro Max for just $100 with this Verizon trade-in deal
The iPhone 14 Pro Max is one hefty, expensive device - but could save 90% of the price if you trade-in at Verizon.
You could get an iPhone 14 for free with trade in at Verizon
Verizon will give you up to $800 off a new iPhone 14 when you trade in your old phone.
Verizon to offer Apple One over Disney Plus as new add-on
That's all the Apple subscriptions in one place, added to your cell plan with Verizon.
Verizon is hiking its wireless prices from June
Verizon is hiking the price of its wireless plans from June 16 in what it calls an “economic adjustment charge,” according to reports.
You can now manage your HBO Max sub on the Verizon +play platform
Verizon has announced that HBO Max has joined its +play platform, allowing customers to manage their subscription alongside that of other streamers.
Verizon plans to expand 5G coverage to 30 more cities in the United States
Verizon has announced that it plans to expand its 5G coverage from 100 million to 175 million by the end of 2022.
