Verizon was formed in 2000 by the merger of Bell Atlantic and GTE.
Bell Atlantic was one of the regional telephone companies created after the breakup of AT&T, while GTE was a large independent telecommunications provider. Their merger created Verizon Communications, named from a combination of “veritas,” meaning truth, and “horizon.”
The new company operated wireline and wireless telecommunications businesses. Its wireless division became especially prominent in the United States, while Verizon also maintained broadband, enterprise, and communications operations.
Verizon is sometimes confused with Verizon Wireless, the mobile business. Verizon Communications was the parent company, while Verizon Wireless was a major operating venture. In 2015, Verizon Communications acquired full control of Verizon Wireless from Vodafone.