At the same time, Bell Atlantic agreed to combine its wireless operations with Vodafone AirTouch to become Verizon Wireless. Today, Verizon has some 141 million wireless retail and wholesale customers, making it the largest US mobile carrier, ahead of AT&T's 130 million, according to Strategy Analytics. Before it became Verizon, it was Bell Atlantic, which merged with fellow regional operator NYNEX and later acquired the big long-distance firm MCI. Verizon has some 141 million wireless retail and wholesale customers, making it the largest US mobile carrierThe name Verizon came about in 2000 with the merger of Bell Atlantic and another phone group, GTE. WASHINGTON - Verizon, which agreed Monday to acquire faded internet star Yahoo, grew from its roots as a regional telephone carrier to a top wireless company -- with ambitions to be much more.

Source: Bangkok Post July 25, 2016 19:41 UTC