Verizon (wireless service)

File:Verizon Wireless Logo (2000-2015).svg

In September 1999, American phone company Bell Atlantic and British-based Vodafone Airtouch PLC proposed they would create a new wireless phone service joint venture valued at $70 billion.{{cite news |title=Bell Atlantic, Vodafone join wireless services |last1=Noguchi |first1=Yuki |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/pmextra/sept99/21/bellatlantic21.htm |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=September 21, 1999 |access-date=July 21, 2015 |archive-date=March 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305064916/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/pmextra/sept99/21/bellatlantic21.htm |url-status=live }} The joint venture was being created as Bell Atlantic underwent a merger with GTE Corporation. In April 2000, the companies announced that the Bell Atlantic–GTE merger would take the name Verizon and that the Bell Atlantic–Vodafone wireless unit would be called Verizon Wireless (legally Cellco Partnership d.b.a. Verizon Wireless).{{cite news |title=Bell Atlantic and GTE pick post-merger name |last1=Schiesel |first1=Seth |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/04/04/business/bell-atlantic-and-gte-pick-post-merger-name.html?gwh=78BBED94BC5A73E64AE5B2BB1599CF45&gwt=pay |newspaper=The New York Times |date=April 4, 2000 |access-date=July 21, 2015 |archive-date=April 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200417072432/https://www.nytimes.com/2000/04/04/business/bell-atlantic-and-gte-pick-post-merger-name.html?gwh=78BBED94BC5A73E64AE5B2BB1599CF45&gwt=pay |url-status=live }} Verizon Communications owned 55 percent of Verizon Wireless while Vodafone retained 45 percent ownership.{{cite news |title=Timeline: Verizon and Vodafone's long relationship |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-verizon-vodafone-history-idUSBRE93O19Z20130425 |work=Reuters |date=April 25, 2013 |access-date=July 21, 2015 |archive-date=December 9, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151209001526/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-verizon-vodafone-history-idUSBRE93O19Z20130425 |url-status=live }} Regulators with the Federal Communications Commission approved the Bell Atlantic–GTE merger on June 16, 2000,{{cite news |title=Bell, GTE merger approved |url=https://money.cnn.com/2000/06/16/deals/gte/ |newspaper=CNN |date=June 16, 2000 |access-date=July 21, 2015 |archive-date=October 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023100156/https://money.cnn.com/2000/06/16/deals/gte/ |url-status=live }} creating the largest wireless company in the United States.{{cite news |title=FCC approves wireless-assets merger of Bell Atlantic, Vodafone AirTouch |last1=Chen |first1=Kathy |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB954465877372787351 |newspaper=Wall Street Journal |date=March 31, 2000 |access-date=July 21, 2015 |archive-date=April 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423161641/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB954465877372787351 |url-status=live }} Verizon Wireless held this market position until Cingular Wireless acquired AT&T Wireless Services in 2004.{{cite news |title=Cingular, AT&T Wireless deal complete, new focus on the horizon |last1=Rubner |first1=Justin |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2004/10/25/daily16.html |newspaper=Atlanta Business Chronicle |date=October 26, 2004 |access-date=July 21, 2015 |archive-date=October 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026193316/https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2004/10/25/daily16.html |url-status=live }}

Throughout the 2000s, Verizon acquired several wireless phone companies and assets across the country, including West Virginia Wireless in 2006;{{cite news |title=Business briefs |url=http://www.nexis.com/docview/getDocForCuiReq?lni=4N2F-W4K0-TX4K-931J&csi=8399&oc=00240&perma=true |newspaper=Charleston Daily Mail |date=February 4, 2007 |access-date=July 21, 2015 |archive-date=December 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210212551/http://www.nexis.com/docview/getDocForCuiReq?lni=4N2F-W4K0-TX4K-931J&csi=8399&oc=00240&perma=true |url-status=live }} Ramcell in 2007;{{cite news |title=Southwestern Oregon to benefit from Verizon Wireless network expansion |url=http://www.salem-news.com/articles/february182008/verizon_wireless_2-18-08.php |newspaper=Salem-News.com |date=February 18, 2008 |access-date=July 21, 2015 |archive-date=October 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024003110/http://www.salem-news.com/articles/february182008/verizon_wireless_2-18-08.php |url-status=live }} Rural Cellular Corporation{{cite news |title=FCC approves Verizon, Rural Cellular merger |url=https://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200808010850DOWJONESDJONLINE000579_FORTUNE5.htm |agency=Dow Jones Newswires |date=August 1, 2008 |access-date=July 21, 2015 |archive-date=October 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029084353/https://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200808010850DOWJONESDJONLINE000579_FORTUNE5.htm |url-status=live }} and SureWest Communications, both in 2008.{{cite news |title=Verizon Wireless SureWest Wireless biz. Who's next? |last1=Frommer |first1=Dan |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/2008/1/verizon-wireless-buys-surewests-wireless-biz-whos-next |newspaper=Business Insider |date=January 22, 2008 |access-date=July 21, 2015 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304103900/http://www.businessinsider.com/2008/1/verizon-wireless-buys-surewests-wireless-biz-whos-next |url-status=live }} Also in 2008, Verizon struck a deal to buy Alltel for $5.9 billion in equity while assuming $22.2 billion worth of debt.{{cite news |title=Verizon completes Alltel purchase |last1=Reardon |first1=Marguerite |url=http://www.cnet.com/news/verizon-completes-alltel-purchase/ |newspaper=CNET |date=January 9, 2009 |access-date=July 21, 2015 |archive-date=May 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200509000226/https://www.cnet.com/news/verizon-completes-alltel-purchase/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Verizon agrees to buy Alltel for $28.1 billion |last1=Sorkin |first1=Andrew Ross |last2=Holson |first2=Laura M. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/06/technology/06phone.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=June 6, 2008 |access-date=July 21, 2015 |archive-date=November 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115041111/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/06/technology/06phone.html |url-status=live }} The deal was finalized on January 9, 2009, again making Verizon Wireless the country's largest cellphone network. As per the agreement, Verizon sold rural wireless properties across 18 states to AT&T. Those properties were in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia and Wyoming.{{cite news |title=AT&T to buy Verizon territories, affecting 1M subscribers |last1=Svensson |first1=Peter |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Business/story?id=7548387 |agency=The Associated Press |date=May 9, 2009 |access-date=July 21, 2015 |archive-date=October 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025195502/https://abcnews.go.com/Business/story?id=7548387 |url-status=live }} Verizon's acquisitions continued in the 2010s, including the purchases of some Plateau Wireless markets in 2012{{cite news |title=AT&T scoops up 40,000 customers, spectrum assets of Plateau Wireless |last1=Dano |first1=Mike |url=http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/att-scoops-40000-customers-spectrum-assets-plateau-wireless/2014-06-24 |newspaper=FierceWireless.com |date=June 24, 2014 |access-date=July 21, 2015 |archive-date=May 13, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513070855/http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/att-scoops-40000-customers-spectrum-assets-plateau-wireless/2014-06-24 |url-status=live }} and Golden State Cellular's operator in 2014.{{cite news |title=Verizon Wireless consumes Golden State Cellular and Mobi PCS |last1=Dano |first1=Mike |url=http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/verizon-wireless-consumes-golden-state-cellular-and-mobi-pcs/2014-04-21 |newspaper=FierceWireless.com |date=April 21, 2014 |access-date=July 21, 2015 |archive-date=May 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160514103625/http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/verizon-wireless-consumes-golden-state-cellular-and-mobi-pcs/2014-04-21 |url-status=live }}

Majority owner Verizon Communications became sole owner of its wireless business in 2014, when it bought Vodafone's 45 percent stake.{{Cite news |last1=Eley |first1=Jonathan |date=February 21, 2014 |title=Vodafone-Verizon deal completes |newspaper=Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/ec25c1dc-9aed-11e3-b0d0-00144feab7de |url-status=live |access-date=June 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027192454/https://www.ft.com/content/ec25c1dc-9aed-11e3-b0d0-00144feab7de |archive-date=October 27, 2020}} Vodafone received $58.9 billion cash, $60.2 billion in stock and $11 billion in other consideration.{{cite news |title=Verizon seals long-sought $130 billion deal to own wireless unit |last1=De La Merced |first1=Michael J. |last2=Scott |first2=Mark |url=https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2013/09/02/verizon-reaches-130-billion-deal-to-buy-out-vodafones-wireless-stake/?_r=0 |newspaper=The New York Times |date=September 2, 2013 |access-date=July 21, 2015 |archive-date=October 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028153135/https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2013/09/02/verizon-reaches-130-billion-deal-to-buy-out-vodafones-wireless-stake/?_r=0 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Verizon, Vodafone agree to $130 billion wireless deal |last1=Holton |first1=Kate |last2=Carew |first2=Sinead |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-vodafone-verizon-idUSBRE97S08C20130903 |work=Reuters |date=September 2, 2013 |access-date=July 21, 2015 |archive-date=March 15, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315014318/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-vodafone-verizon-idUSBRE97S08C20130903 |url-status=live }} An article in The New York Times estimated Verizon Wireless' valuation at about $290 billion.

In late 2014, it became known that Verizon Wireless uses deep packet inspection for server-side insertion of a customer-unique ID field ("X-UIDH") into all unencrypted HTTP headers. The mechanism has been referred to as a "supercookie" or "perma-cookie", although it is technically not a cookie in that it does not store information on the customers device and is transparent to the user. It cannot be averted with common mechanisms like ad-blockers; however it cannot be inserted into encrypted HTTPS and VPN connections. Verizon advertises the system to marketing partners. The Electronic Frontier Foundation has called on Verizon to terminate the program, calling it a "profound violation of trust", expressing concern over abuse by third parties, and questioning the legality of Verizon modifying their users' outgoing data without offering them the possibility of a full opt-out.{{cite web|url=https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2014/11/verizon-x-uidh|title=Verizon Injecting Perma-Cookies to Track Mobile Customers, Bypassing Privacy Controls|publisher=Electronic Frontier Foundation|access-date=January 19, 2014|archive-date=November 3, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103220405/https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2014/11/verizon-x-uidh|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://lessonslearned.org/sniff|title=Checking known AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, Bell Canada & Vodacom Unique Identifier beacons|access-date=January 19, 2014|archive-date=November 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141104151010/http://lessonslearned.org/sniff|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/verizon-atandt-tracking-their-users-with-super-cookies/2014/11/03/7bbbf382-6395-11e4-bb14-4cfea1e742d5_story.html|title=Verizon, AT&T tracking their users with 'supercookies'|first=Craig|last=Timberg|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=January 19, 2014|archive-date=November 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141104055832/http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/verizon-atandt-tracking-their-users-with-super-cookies/2014/11/03/7bbbf382-6395-11e4-bb14-4cfea1e742d5_story.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2015/01/which-apps-and-browsers-protect-you-against-verizon-and-turns-non-consensual|title=Which Apps Protect Against Verizon and Turn's Invasive User Tracking?|first=Peter|last=Eckersley|date=January 15, 2015|access-date=January 19, 2015|archive-date=November 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124112209/https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2015/01/which-apps-and-browsers-protect-you-against-verizon-and-turns-non-consensual|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2014/11/att-ditches-tracking-header-program-verizon-still-refuses|title=AT&T Ditches Tracking Header Program; Verizon Still Refuses|first=Jacob|last=Hoffman-Andrews|date=November 14, 2014|access-date=January 19, 2015|archive-date=November 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111215403/https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2014/11/att-ditches-tracking-header-program-verizon-still-refuses|url-status=live}} In January 2015, Verizon announced they would give customers the option of opting out, and since April 1, 2015, Verizon has allowed customers to opt-out, either online or by calling a special phone number.{{Cite web|title = Verizon lets customers opt out of program that inserted 'super cookie' to track mobile browsing|url = http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/verizon-lets-customers-opt-out-program-inserted-super-cookie-track-mobile-b/2015-04-01|website = FierceWireless|access-date = May 11, 2015|archive-date = March 4, 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304054023/http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/verizon-lets-customers-opt-out-program-inserted-super-cookie-track-mobile-b/2015-04-01|url-status = live}}

In August 2016, Verizon hired Ronan Dunne, the former head of British provider O2, as the new president of its wireless business.{{cite news|title=Verizon Hires Former O2 CEO Ronan Dunne to Head Wireless Unit|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-08-02/verizon-hires-former-o2-ceo-ronan-dunne-to-head-wireless-unit|newspaper=Bloomberg.com|date=August 2, 2016 |access-date=March 22, 2017|archive-date=May 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180529093706/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-08-02/verizon-hires-former-o2-ceo-ronan-dunne-to-head-wireless-unit|url-status=live}}

In September 2016, Comcast confirmed that it planned to launch a mobile service, using Verizon's network as an MVNO, in mid-2017.{{cite web|title=Comcast confirms plans to launch mobile phone service in 2017|url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/9/20/12986872/comcast-mobile-network-verizon-mvno-2017|website=The Verge|date=September 20, 2016|access-date=September 17, 2017|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108114750/https://www.theverge.com/2016/9/20/12986872/comcast-mobile-network-verizon-mvno-2017|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Comcast Is Launching a Wireless Service Next Year|url=http://www.fool.com/investing/2016/09/25/comcast-is-launching-a-wireless-service-next-year.aspx|website=The Motley Fool|date=September 25, 2016|access-date=October 8, 2016|archive-date=August 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801004517/https://www.fool.com/investing/2016/09/25/comcast-is-launching-a-wireless-service-next-year.aspx|url-status=live}}

File:A_modern_Verizon_retail_store_in_Burlington,_Vermont.jpg]]

In February 2017, in the wake of competition from Sprint and T-Mobile, and initiatives to expand the capacity and improve the quality of its network by using macrocells and supporting carrier aggregation, Verizon announced that it would bring back an "unlimited" data plan (subject to throttling in heavy network areas after 22 GB of usage). Verizon's decision not to restrict the bitrate of video services prompted Sprint and T-Mobile to remove similar restrictions from their own plans.{{cite web|title=Inside Verizon's Decision to Go Unlimited|url=http://fortune.com/2017/02/23/verizon-unlimited/|website=Fortune|access-date=March 22, 2017|archive-date=November 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111183621/https://fortune.com/2017/02/23/verizon-unlimited/|url-status=live}}

In March 2017, Verizon announced that all their Android phones will have AppFlash, to help users find content and services across different apps.{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/03/28/evie-verizon-sidescreen/|title=Evie teams up with Verizon to launch a new search experience next to your Android home screen|last=Ha|first=Anthony|website=TechCrunch|date=March 28, 2017 |access-date=March 30, 2017|archive-date=January 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125002223/https://techcrunch.com/2017/03/28/evie-verizon-sidescreen/|url-status=live}} Critics spoke harshly against it.{{cite web|url=http://www.androidpolice.com/2017/03/28/verizon-phones-will-soon-get-useless-appflash-search-tool-upcoming-rollout/|title=Verizon phones will soon get the useless 'AppFlash' search tool in an upcoming rollout|date=March 28, 2017|access-date=May 18, 2017|archive-date=November 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111191636/https://www.androidpolice.com/2017/03/28/verizon-phones-will-soon-get-useless-appflash-search-tool-upcoming-rollout/|url-status=live}}

In May 2018, former Verizon executive Miguel Quiroga launched the pre-paid carrier Visible in Denver Colorado, which Verizon funds and owns.{{cite web |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2019/09/20/visible-verizon-digital-wireless-massages/ |title=Visible, an all-digital wireless provider, getting physical in its marketing |work=Denver Post |last=Svaldi |first=Aldo |date=September 20, 2019 |access-date=September 1, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-date=October 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022100742/https://www.denverpost.com/2019/09/20/visible-verizon-digital-wireless-massages/ }}{{cite web |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/verizon-owned-wireless-visible-getting-130052800.html |title=How Verizon-Owned Wireless Service Visible Is Getting More Appealing |work=Fortune |via=Yahoo! Finance |last=Pressman |first=Aaron |date=June 26, 2019 |access-date=September 1, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-date=October 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028182155/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/verizon-owned-wireless-visible-getting-130052800.html }}

On June 8, 2018, Verizon announced that Hans Vestberg had been chosen to become CEO on August 1, 2018.{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/06/08/verizon-exec-vice-president-hans-vestberg-to-become-companys-new-ceo-will-take-over-aug-1.html|title=Verizon picks Hans Vestberg as its next CEO, showing how the company is prioritizing 5G|last1=Sheetz|first1=Michael|last2=Robins|first2=Anjali|date=June 8, 2018|work=CNBC|access-date=June 11, 2018|archive-date=November 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126151010/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/06/08/verizon-exec-vice-president-hans-vestberg-to-become-companys-new-ceo-will-take-over-aug-1.html|url-status=live}}

In August 2018, the fire department of Santa Clara County, California, filed evidence in a lawsuit seeking the reinstatement of net neutrality policies, which accused Verizon of throttling an "unlimited" wireless data plan associated with a vehicle that was being used to coordinate responses to the Mendocino Complex Fire. The department reported that a Verizon Wireless customer service representative insisted that they must upgrade to a higher-cost data plan in order to restore their internet speed. In a statement, Verizon acknowledged that they did not properly explain the terms of the contract, and that the representative did not adhere to a company policy of removing these restrictions during emergency situations.{{cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2018/08/verizon-throttled-fire-departments-unlimited-data-during-calif-wildfire/ |access-date=August 25, 2018 |date=August 21, 2018 |publisher=Ars Technica |author=Jon Brodkin |title=Verizon throttled fire department's "unlimited" data during Calif. wildfire |archive-date=January 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210130031525/https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2018/08/verizon-throttled-fire-departments-unlimited-data-during-calif-wildfire/ |url-status=live }}

In 2019, Verizon Wireless services were split between two new divisions: Verizon Consumer and Verizon Business.{{cite news |title=Verizon to Break Up Wireless Unit in Reorganization |last1=Krouse |first1=Sarah |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/verizon-to-break-up-wireless-unit-in-reorganization-1541420253 |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=November 5, 2018 |access-date=July 29, 2019 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108125130/https://www.wsj.com/articles/verizon-to-break-up-wireless-unit-in-reorganization-1541420253 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Verizon to reorganize business segments |last1=Dang |first1=Sheila |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-verizon-segments/verizon-to-reorganize-business-segments-idUSKCN1NA1DW |work=Reuters |date=November 5, 2018 |access-date=July 29, 2019 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108181237/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-verizon-segments/verizon-to-reorganize-business-segments-idUSKCN1NA1DW |url-status=live }} The name "Wireless" was extinguished, rebranding the mobile network as simply Verizon. Verizon still often abbreviates their name to "VZW", with the W standing for Wireless.

In 2020 Verizon launched a prepaid mobile phone service named Yahoo! Mobile{{cite news |last1=Kastrenakes |first1=Jacob |date=March 11, 2020 |title=Verizon launches Yahoo Mobile phone service |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/11/21174687/yahoo-mobile-phone-plan-price-service-verizon-visible-announced |department=Tech |publisher=The Verge |agency=Vox Media, LLC. |access-date=August 4, 2017 |quote=Verizon is launching a Yahoo-branded mobile phone service called Yahoo Mobile in an attempt to use consumers’ familiarity with the Yahoo brand to kickstart a new wireless provider. |archive-date=November 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201122084421/https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/11/21174687/yahoo-mobile-phone-plan-price-service-verizon-visible-announced |url-status=live }} after acquiring a 10% interest in Yahoo!.{{cite news |last1=Brodkin |first1=Jon |date=March 11, 2020 |title=Yahoo Mobile: The Verizon phone plan that no one asked for |url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2020/03/verizons-desperate-bid-to-revive-yahoo-a-yahoo-4g-phone-service/ |department=Biz & IT |publisher=Ars Technica |agency=WIRED Media Group |access-date=August 4, 2020 |quote=Verizon acquired Yahoo for $4.48 billion in June 2017, combining it with the Verizon-owned AOL to form one media division but hasn't been able to revive the floundering Internet platforms. A goodwill impairment charge of $4.6 billion wiped out nearly all of the Yahoo/AOL division's goodwill value in December 2018, contributing to multiple rounds of layoffs in the ensuing 12 months. |archive-date=March 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200317215529/https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2020/03/verizons-desperate-bid-to-revive-yahoo-a-yahoo-4g-phone-service/ |url-status=live }} The service was shut down on August 31, 2021, in favor of Visible.{{cite web|last=Taylor|first=Austin|date=June 20, 2021|title=Why Yahoo Mobile Is Already Shutting Down|url=https://screenrant.com/yahoo-mobile-shutting-down-why-alternatives-explained/|website=Screen Rant}}{{cite web|last=Pfleghardt-Chafik|first=Liz|date=June 17, 2021|title=Yahoo! Mobile Announces Shut Down|url=https://www.rvmobileinternet.com/yahoo-mobile-announces-shut-down-all-service-to-end-before-august-31-2021/|website=Mobile Internet Resource Center}}

On November 23, 2021, Verizon purchased TracFone Wireless which was worth an approximately $6.25 billion.{{cite web|last=Bursztynsky|first=Jessica|date=September 14, 2020|title=Verizon to buy wireless services provider Tracfone in $6.25 billion deal|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/14/verizon-to-buy-wireless-services-provider-tracfone-in-6point25-billion-deal.html|access-date=September 21, 2020|website=CNBC|language=en|archive-date=October 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030171939/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/14/verizon-to-buy-wireless-services-provider-tracfone-in-6point25-billion-deal.html|url-status=live}}

On September 30, 2024, after a massive outage, Verizon confirmed that its cell service was back online.{{cite news|title=Verizon confirms service is back online after a major outage|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/09/30/tech/verizon-outage/index.html|newspaper=CNN |date=September 30, 2024}}

Verizon Wireless operates 5G and 4G LTE networks.{{Cite web |last=Gartenberg |first=Chaim |date=October 13, 2020 |title=Verizon announces its nationwide 5G network |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/10/13/21509364/verizon-5g-network-ultra-wideband-nationwide-apple-event |access-date=July 28, 2023 |website=The Verge |language=en-US}} {{As of|2020|January}}, Verizon claims that 99% of the population of the United States can access their 4G network.{{Cite web|title=Best Phone Carrier, Best Wireless, Why Verizon|url=https://www.verizon.com/featured/our-network/|date=January 1, 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200505001644/https://www.verizon.com/featured/our-network/|archive-date=May 5, 2020|access-date=May 4, 2020}} However, OpenSignal's crowdsourced data showed 4G coverage of 95.9%.{{Cite web|title=USA Mobile Network Experience Report|url=https://www.opensignal.com/reports/2020/01/usa/mobile-network-experience|date=January 1, 2020|website=OpenSignal.com|access-date=May 5, 2020|archive-date=February 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201150257/https://www.opensignal.com/reports/2020/01/usa/mobile-network-experience|url-status=live}}

Before Verizon's LTE network was launched, the company operated an exclusively CDMA2000 network (the other major CDMA2000 carrier in the US being Sprint). Verizon began its initial tests for the 4G LTE network in 2008{{cite news |title=Verizon to be first to field-test crazy-fast 5G wireless |last1=Cheng |first1=Roger |url=http://www.cnet.com/news/verizon-to-hold-worlds-first-crazy-fast-5g-wireless-field-tests-next-year/ |newspaper=CNET |date=September 8, 2015 |access-date=January 22, 2016 |archive-date=January 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113201155/https://www.cnet.com/news/verizon-to-hold-worlds-first-crazy-fast-5g-wireless-field-tests-next-year/ |url-status=live }} in order to move from older-generation mobile communications technologies to the emerging global standard.{{cite news |title=CDMA vs. GSM: What's the difference? |last1=Segan |first1=Sascha |url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2407896,00.asp |magazine=PC Magazine |date=February 6, 2015 |access-date=January 28, 2016 |archive-date=February 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190211003131/https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2407896,00.asp |url-status=live }} In December 2010, Verizon Wireless launched a fledgling 4G LTE network in 39 markets.{{cite news |title=Verizon to launch 4G wireless network December 5 |last1=Reardon |first1=Marguerite |url=http://www.cnet.com/news/verizon-to-launch-4g-wireless-network-december-5/ |newspaper=CNET |date=December 1, 2010 |access-date=January 28, 2016 |archive-date=March 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200314050208/https://www.cnet.com/news/verizon-to-launch-4g-wireless-network-december-5/ |url-status=live }} By December 2011, only a year after launch, 200 million Americans were covered with 4G LTE, in 190 markets.{{Cite web|url=http://www.verizonwireless.com/news/article/2011/12/pr2011-12-05a.html|title=Happy 1st Anniversary, Verizon Wireless 4G LTE!|website=Verizon Wireless News Center|date=December 5, 2011|access-date=August 10, 2016|archive-date=October 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161023230121/http://www.verizonwireless.com/news/article/2011/12/pr2011-12-05a.html|url-status=live}} {{as of|2016}}, 98% of the U.S. was covered with LTE, and 92% of all data traffic was on LTE.{{Cite web|url=http://www.verizon.com/about/investors/quarterly-reports/1q-2016-quarter-earnings-conference-call-webcast|title=1Q 2016 Quarter Earnings Conference Call Webcast|website=www.verizon.com|date=April 21, 2016|access-date=August 12, 2016|archive-date=April 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200419185526/https://www.verizon.com/about/investors/quarterly-reports/1q-2016-quarter-earnings-conference-call-webcast|url-status=dead}}

In 2012, the service provider bought spectrum from the country's biggest cable companies, including Comcast, and Spectrum (Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks at the time) to improve its data network across the U.S.{{cite news |title=What is Verizon's new high-speed XLTE, and why should I care? |last1=Gikas |first1=Mike |url=http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2014/05/what-is-verizon-4g-xlte/index.htm |newspaper=Consumer Reports |date=May 21, 2014 |access-date=January 28, 2016 |archive-date=October 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029060004/https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2014/05/what-is-verizon-4g-xlte/index.htm |url-status=live }} The new capacity allowed Verizon to launch what it calls XLTE (LTE on Band 4) in 2013, providing more capacity in congested and well-populated markets.{{cite news |title=Verizon Wireless Names Faster Part of Its Network: XLTE |last1=Chen |first1=Brian X. |url=http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/05/19/verizon-wireless-names-faster-part-of-its-network-xlte/?_r=0 |newspaper=The New York Times |date=May 19, 2014 |access-date=January 28, 2016 |archive-date=October 11, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011231448/http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/05/19/verizon-wireless-names-faster-part-of-its-network-xlte/?_r=0 |url-status=live }}

Because 4G LTE is a data-transmitting network, when it launched, Verizon customers' voice calls were still carried over the company's CDMA2000 network,{{cite news |title=Verizon set to launch voice-over-LTE service nationwide |last1=Reardon |first1=Marguerite |url=http://www.cnet.com/news/verizon-readies-launch-of-nationwide-voice-over-lte-service/ |newspaper=CNET |date=August 26, 2014 |access-date=January 28, 2016 |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112010525/https://www.cnet.com/news/verizon-readies-launch-of-nationwide-voice-over-lte-service/ |url-status=live }} which was developed for 3G cellphones. In September 2014, Verizon launched voice over LTE (VoLTE);{{cite news |title=Verizon's Small: We have close to 4M VoLTE customers |last1=Goldstein |first1=Phil |url=http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/verizons-small-we-have-close-4m-volte-customers/2015-08-11 |newspaper=Fierce Wireless |date=August 11, 2015 |access-date=January 28, 2016 |archive-date=April 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160421023441/http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/verizons-small-we-have-close-4m-volte-customers/2015-08-11 |url-status=live }} this allowed voice calls to transmit via the data-only LTE network. This also allows for simultaneous voice and data services, something that is unavailable on traditional CDMA2000 calls. Along with VoLTE, Verizon also announced support for HD Voice, which provides higher-quality audio for VoLTE calls, and native Video Calling for Android phones. In March 2016, Verizon enabled support for Wi-Fi Calling, which allows calls to be placed over a Wi-Fi network. {{as of|2015|August}}, nearly 4 million of Verizon's 103.7 million subscribers used VoLTE. In 2019, Verizon announced that they plan to shut down their CDMA2000 network by the end of 2020, making VoLTE the only way to make calls on their network.{{Cite web|title=Verizon Delays Shutdown of 3G CDMA Network Until the End of 2020|url=https://stopthecap.com/2019/08/01/verizon-delays-shutdown-of-3g-cdma-network-until-the-end-of-2020/|date=August 1, 2019|website=Stop the Cap!|language=en-US|access-date=May 29, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117092347/https://stopthecap.com/2019/08/01/verizon-delays-shutdown-of-3g-cdma-network-until-the-end-of-2020/|url-status=live}}

In September 2015, Verizon's chief information and technology architect Roger Gurnani stated that Verizon was planning to trial a 5G wireless network within 12 months, with "some level of commercial deployment" by 2017. In late August 2016, Verizon officially announced that it had rolled out LTE Advanced services in 461 markets. The company promoted that the technology would allow at least 50% higher LTE data speeds on supported devices.{{cite web|title=Verizon's faster LTE service is now available in over 450 cities|url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/8/29/12693030/verizon-lte-advanced-461-cities-launched-faster-data-speeds|website=The Verge|date=August 29, 2016|access-date=September 17, 2017|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108142453/http://www.theverge.com/2016/8/29/12693030/verizon-lte-advanced-461-cities-launched-faster-data-speeds|url-status=live}}

By the end of 2019, Verizon had launched 5G service in 30 cities across the U.S.{{cite news |title=Verizon reaches goal of 5G in 30 cities in 2019, adds Cleveland and Columbus |last1=de Looper |first1=Christian |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/verizon-5g-rollout/ |work=Digital Trends |date=December 23, 2019 |access-date=January 15, 2020 |archive-date=January 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109120041/https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/verizon-5g-rollout/ |url-status=live }} Verizon's 5G network is deployed on millimeter wave spectrum (mmWave).{{Cite web|url=https://www.fiercewireless.com/tech/verizon-ceo-defends-mmwave-strategy-for-5g|title=Verizon CEO defends mmWave strategy for 5G|last=Alleven|first=Monica|date=January 30, 2020|website=FierceWireless|language=en|access-date=February 25, 2020|archive-date=December 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201235858/https://www.fiercewireless.com/tech/verizon-ceo-defends-mmwave-strategy-for-5g|url-status=live}} While fast, the high-band spectrum Verizon uses has limited range and high penetration loss.{{cite news |title=There are three types of 5G — most of what you'll get is not the super-fast kind |last1=Sherman |first1=Alex |last2=Haselton |first2=Todd |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/01/09/what-is-5g-heres-what-verizon-att-sprint-and-t-mobile-offer.html |work=CNBC |date=January 9, 2020 |access-date=January 15, 2020 |archive-date=November 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127154843/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/01/09/what-is-5g-heres-what-verizon-att-sprint-and-t-mobile-offer.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite journal|last1=Al-Falahy|first1=Naser|last2=Alani|first2=Omar|date=November 2018|title=Millimetre wave frequency band as a candidate spectrum for 5G network architecture: A survey|journal=Physical Communication|language=en|volume=32|pages=120–144|doi=10.1016/j.phycom.2018.11.003|s2cid=67794058|url=http://usir.salford.ac.uk/id/eprint/49911/1/Millimetre%20wave%20frequency%20band%20as%20a%20candidate%20spectrum%20for%205G%20network%20architecture%20A%20survey.pdf|access-date=June 3, 2020|archive-date=October 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024023648/https://usir.salford.ac.uk/id/eprint/49911/1/Millimetre|url-status=live}}

In October 2020, during a virtual event unveiling the iPhone 12, Verizon announced that it had begun to widely deploy 5G service on sub-6 GHz spectrum, branded as "Nationwide 5G". This service has a wider range than its mmWave 5G (henceforth branded by Verizon as "5G Ultra Wideband") services, and is available to most existing Verizon subscribers with a supported device (unlike mmWave service, which requires one of the service's newer unlimited plans), but uses "dynamic spectrum sharing" with LTE service, and does not have the same level of speed as mmWave.{{Cite web |last=Blumenthal |first=Eli |title=Verizon launches 5G nationwide coverage just in time for iPhone 12 |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/verizon-launches-5g-nationwide-coverage-just-in-time-for-iphone-12/ |access-date=May 29, 2022 |website=CNET |language=en}} As of December 2020, more than 200 million people were able to access Verizon’s 5G network through Verizon’s DSS-enabled service. As of April 2023, Verizon reached 200 million people covered for its Verizon's 5G Ultra Wideband.

Verizon intended to retire its 2G and 3G CDMA network in favor of LTE and 5G on January 1, 2021, but made a last-minute decision to "indefinitely" halt the retirement.{{Cite web|last=Dano|first=Mike|title=Verizon indefinitely delays 3G network shutdown|url=https://www.lightreading.com/oss-bss-cx/verizon-indefinitely-delays-3g-network-shutdown|access-date=January 24, 2025|website=Light Reading|archive-date=January 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126093647/https://www.lightreading.com/ossbss/verizon-indefinitely-delays-3g-network-shutdown/d/d-id/766399|url-status=live}} They later confirmed that the CDMA network will be retired on December 31, 2022.{{Cite web|title=Verizon Shutting Down 3G Network on December 31, 2022|url=https://www.macrumors.com/2021/03/30/verizon-3g-shutdown-december-2022/|access-date=March 30, 2021|website=MacRumors|date=March 30, 2021 |language=en|archive-date=March 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210330175342/https://www.macrumors.com/2021/03/30/verizon-3g-shutdown-december-2022/|url-status=live}} Verizon customers using a CDMA-only device, or an LTE device that does not support Voice over LTE, were required to upgrade to a newer device in order to continue using the network. The shutdown was completed at the end of 2022 as planned.{{Cite web |date=March 30, 2021 |title=3G CDMA Network Shut off date set for December 31, 2022 |url=https://www.verizon.com/about/news/3g-cdma-network-shut-date-set-december-31-2022 |access-date=January 1, 2023 |website=www.verizon.com |language=en}}

A report by RootMetrics on carrier performance in the first half of 2024 ranked Verizon's network as the best in overall national performance, network accessibility, data performance, video performance, and tied for best text performance.{{cite news |title=US State of the Mobile Union 1H 2024: Which carrier earned top marks? |url=https://www.rootmetrics.com/en-US/content/us-state-of-the-mobile-union-1h-2024 |publisher=RootMetrics |date=July 22, 2024 |access-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723130719/https://rootmetrics.com/en-US/content/us-state-of-the-mobile-union-1h-2024 |url-status=live}}

{{further|LTE frequency bands|5G NR frequency bands}}

The following is a list of 4G LTE and 5G NR frequency bands which Verizon employs in the United States. Verizon's CDMA network was shut down on December 31, 2022.

{{further|CDMA frequency bands}}

The following chart lists the networks that Verizon previously operated.

Verizon Wireless offers certain applications and services that are exclusive to its subscribers. Many of these apps are pre-loaded on Verizon devices—primarily Android smartphones. The company has received criticism for this practice, as users and critics have viewed the applications to be "bloatware" that are sometimes redundant to applications already included with the device's operating system.{{cite web|title=Samsung Galaxy S5 Bloatware Removal Guide|url=http://blog.laptopmag.com/galaxy-s5-bloatware-list|website=Laptop Magazine|access-date=October 22, 2014|archive-date=October 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022190124/http://blog.laptopmag.com/galaxy-s5-bloatware-list|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|title=Bloatware Creeps Into Android Phones|url=https://www.wired.com/2010/07/bloatware-android-phones/|magazine=Wired|date=July 22, 2010|access-date=March 12, 2017|archive-date=November 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109002933/http://www.wired.com/2010/07/bloatware-android-phones/|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|title=Friday Rant: The Ever-Sorrier State of Android Bloatware|url=https://time.com/94646/android-bloatware/|magazine=Time|access-date=October 22, 2014|archive-date=November 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106202141/https://time.com/94646/android-bloatware/|url-status=live}}

The NFL Mobile app allows Verizon Wireless subscribers to stream National Football League games and NFL Network on their devices. While previously a subscription-based service, NFL Mobile was made free to all subscribers beginning in the 2015 NFL season. As part of an exclusivity agreement with the NFL, only Verizon Wireless subscribers could stream NFL telecasts to devices with screens {{convert|7|in|cm}} or less in size. This contract ended after the 2017 NFL season;{{cite web|title=CBS Tackles New Game With Super Bowl 50: Digital Viewers And Live-Streamed Ads|work=Variety|date=January 26, 2016|access-date=January 28, 2016|url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/super-bowl-commercials-cbs-live-streaming-digital-1201688878/|archive-date=January 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124000859/https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/super-bowl-commercials-cbs-live-streaming-digital-1201688878/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Super Bowl 2016: How to watch Super Bowl 50 on TV, online on CBS|url=http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/25438861/how-to-watch-super-bowl-50-on-tv-online-and-halftime-show-information|publisher=CBSSports.com|access-date=January 30, 2016|archive-date=May 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505044701/http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/25438861/how-to-watch-super-bowl-50-on-tv-online-and-halftime-show-information|url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Verizon Wireless Drops $5 Monthly Fee to Watch NFL Live Games for All Customers |last1=Spangler |first1=Todd |url=http://www.philly.com/philly/business/20150903_Reuters_MT1VRT1201585307_Verizon_Wireless_Drops__5_Monthly_Fee_to_Watch_NFL_Live_Games_for_All_Customers.html |agency=Variety |date=September 4, 2015 |access-date=July 21, 2015 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304094242/http://www.philly.com/philly/business/20150903_Reuters_MT1VRT1201585307_Verizon_Wireless_Drops__5_Monthly_Fee_to_Watch_NFL_Live_Games_for_All_Customers.html |url-status=live }} Verizon agreed to a new five-year, non-exclusive digital rights agreement, which removes the device class exclusivity, and focuses more upon distributing its streams and other enhanced digital content via its portfolio of internet media brands, rather than being exclusive to Verizon Wireless subscribers.{{cite news|url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/21737823/verizon-nfl-agree-new-5-year-deal-worth-nearly-25-billion|title=Verizon, NFL agree to new 5-year deal worth nearly $2.5 billion|first=Darren|last=Rovell|work=ESPN.com|date=December 11, 2017|access-date=December 11, 2017|archive-date=November 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129082331/https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/21737823/verizon-nfl-agree-new-5-year-deal-worth-nearly-25-billion|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2017/10/23/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/NFL-notes.aspx|title=Verizon's exclusivity for live games on mobile expected to end|website=Sports Business Daily|language=en-US|date=October 23, 2017|access-date=October 23, 2017|archive-date=October 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020035937/https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2017/10/23/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/NFL-notes.aspx|url-status=live}}

As part of a deal that also granted the carrier title sponsorship of the series, Verizon subscribers also have access to exclusive streaming content within the official IndyCar Series app.{{cite news |title=App brings IndyCar racing from the track to mobile devices |last1=Cardenas |first1=Edward |url=http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2015/05/24/app-brings-indycar-racing-from-the-track-to-mobile-devices/ |work=CBSDetroit.com |date=May 24, 2015 |access-date=July 21, 2015 |archive-date=October 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028054817/https://detroit.cbslocal.com/2015/05/24/app-brings-indycar-racing-from-the-track-to-mobile-devices/ |url-status=live }}

The My Verizon app is used for account management, including checking usage statistics and managing the user's service plan and account features.{{cite web|title=Verizon's new plans raise prices for more data|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2016/07/06/amid-growing-competition-verizon-revamps-data-plans/86755334/|website=USA Today|access-date=July 18, 2016|archive-date=August 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200828070741/https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2016/07/06/amid-growing-competition-verizon-revamps-data-plans/86755334/|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://www.komando.com/apps/273517/verizon-app-see-usage-network-performance-set-limits-and-more |title=Verizon App: See usage, network performance, set limits and more |author=Komando staff |date=September 22, 2014 |work=Kommando.com |access-date=July 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150813232230/http://www.komando.com/apps/273517/verizon-app-see-usage-network-performance-set-limits-and-more |archive-date=August 13, 2015 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=https://www.yahoo.com/tech/how-to-lock-down-your-data-usage-once-and-for-all-100825489429.html |title=How to lock down your data usage once and for all |first=Alyssa |last=Bereznak |date=October 24, 2014 |work=Yahoo! Tech |access-date=July 21, 2015 |archive-date=August 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821214736/https://www.yahoo.com/tech/how-to-lock-down-your-data-usage-once-and-for-all-100825489429.html |url-status=live }} Verizon Cloud, which allows photos, videos, contacts, messages and call logs to be synchronized online, was released in April 2013 initially for Android phones,{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2013/04/29/verizon-cloud-backup-app-rolling-out-for-android-coming-to-ios/ |title=Verizon Cloud backup service rolling out for Android, comes soon to iOS |first=Jon |last=Fingas |date=April 29, 2013 |work=Engadget |access-date=July 21, 2015 |archive-date=September 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180923123841/https://www.engadget.com/2013/04/29/verizon-cloud-backup-app-rolling-out-for-android-coming-to-ios/ |url-status=live }} followed the next month by a launch for iOS.{{cite web |url=http://www.cnet.com/news/verizon-cloud-adds-online-storage-for-ios-devices/ |title=Verizon Cloud adds online storage for iOS devices |first=Lance |last=Whitney |date=May 24, 2013 |work=CNET |access-date=July 21, 2015 |archive-date=October 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030170849/https://www.cnet.com/news/verizon-cloud-adds-online-storage-for-ios-devices/ |url-status=live }} Verizon Messages, otherwise known as Message+, is an alternative text messaging app that additionally allows messages to be synchronized between multiple devices.{{cite web |url=http://www.cnet.com/news/new-verizon-app-untethers-text-messages-from-your-cell-phone/ |title=New Verizon app untethers text messages from your cell phone |first=Steven |last=Musil |date=March 21, 2013 |work=CNET |access-date=July 21, 2015 |archive-date=October 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023034208/https://www.cnet.com/news/new-verizon-app-untethers-text-messages-from-your-cell-phone/ |url-status=live }} VZ Navigator is a subscription-based maps and navigation service which provides turn-by-turn navigation, crowdsourced traffic data, weather, events and entertainment listings, gas prices, roadside assistance, 2D and 3D views.{{cite news |title=VZ Navigator 5 review |last1=Lendino |first1=Jamie |url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2361689,00.asp |magazine=PC Magazine |date=March 23, 2010 |access-date=July 21, 2015 |archive-date=September 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180923123903/https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2361689,00.asp |url-status=live }} The Verizon Support & Protection app provides technical support services, lost device location, and on Android, antivirus functionality.{{cite news |title=Mailbag: Most Internet providers offer antivirus software for free |last1=Chuang |first1=Tamara |url=http://www.denverpost.com/techmailbag/ci_27569296/mailbag-most-internet-providers-offer-antivirus-software-free |newspaper=The Denver Post |date=February 23, 2015 |access-date=July 21, 2015 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304134305/http://www.denverpost.com/techmailbag/ci_27569296/mailbag-most-internet-providers-offer-antivirus-software-free |url-status=live }}

Verizon Family Locator is a subscription-based service and app can be used to track the locations of family members on a map for up to 10 devices.{{cite news |title=Where is everyone? Try a tracking app |last1=Rosenbloom |first1=Stephanie |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/16/travel/where-is-everyone-try-a-tracking-app.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=June 13, 2013 |access-date=July 21, 2015 |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112041623/https://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/16/travel/where-is-everyone-try-a-tracking-app.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.cnet.com/news/six-ways-to-share-your-exact-location-with-family-and-why/ |title=Six ways to share your exact location with family (and why) |first=Scott |last=Webster |date=June 24, 2013 |publisher=CNET |access-date=July 21, 2015 |archive-date=February 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160208112912/http://www.cnet.com/news/six-ways-to-share-your-exact-location-with-family-and-why/ |url-status=live }} Verizon Family Base allows parents to restrict when and how their children use their phones, view their children's contacts and lock the devices.{{cite web |url=http://www.cnet.com/news/so-is-verizons-more-everything-plan-a-good-deal/ |title=So is Verizon's 'More Everything' plan a good deal? |first=Roger |last=Cheng |date=February 13, 2014 |work=CNET |access-date=July 21, 2015 |archive-date=November 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130121014/https://www.cnet.com/news/so-is-verizons-more-everything-plan-a-good-deal/ |url-status=live }} Verizon also offers the GizmoPal, a wristband-worn phone for children that is restricted to only placing or receiving calls from one of two designated caregivers, and has GPS tracking.{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2014/11/26/lg-gizmopal-verizon/ |title=LG GizmoPal wearable lets kids call their parents with one button |first=Edgar |last=Alvarez |date=November 26, 2014 |work=Engadget |access-date=July 21, 2015 |archive-date=December 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191201143205/https://www.engadget.com/2014/11/26/lg-gizmopal-verizon/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=LG GizmoPal (Verizon Wireless) |last1=Segan |first1=Sascha |url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2475924,00.asp |newspaper=PC Magazine |date=January 30, 2015 |access-date=July 21, 2015 |archive-date=June 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180617193707/https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2475924,00.asp |url-status=live }}

Other Verizon Wireless apps include Field Force Manager, which allows employers to manage employees with GPS, management timesheets and oversee travel,{{cite web |url=http://gcn.com/articles/2014/06/05/cheektowaga-xora.aspx |title=GPS, geofencing drive highway department efficiency |author=John Breeden II |date=June 5, 2014 |publisher=GCN |access-date=July 21, 2015 |archive-date=October 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027155934/https://gcn.com/articles/2014/06/05/cheektowaga-xora.aspx |url-status=live }} Visual Voice Mail{{cite news |title=Crucial features iPhone users just take for granted |last1=Bradley |first1=Tony |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/tonybradley/2014/12/31/crucial-features-iphone-users-just-take-for-granted/ |newspaper=Forbes |date=December 31, 2014 |access-date=July 21, 2015 |archive-date=October 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025062921/https://www.forbes.com/sites/tonybradley/2014/12/31/crucial-features-iphone-users-just-take-for-granted/ |url-status=live }} and Roadside Assistance.{{cite news |title=Verizon Wireless and Roadside Assistance |last1=Harris |first1=Brad |url=http://smallbusiness.chron.com/verizon-wireless-roadside-assistance-27324.html |agency=Demand Media |access-date=July 21, 2015 |archive-date=October 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031142715/https://smallbusiness.chron.com/verizon-wireless-roadside-assistance-27324.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=5 ways to get cheap (or even free) roadside assistance |last1=Colley |first1=Angela |url=http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/Saving-Money/2012/0720/5-ways-to-get-cheap-or-even-free-roadside-assistance |newspaper=Christian Science Monitor |date=July 20, 2012 |access-date=July 21, 2015 |archive-date=August 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805202014/https://www.csmonitor.com/Business/Saving-Money/2012/0720/5-ways-to-get-cheap-or-even-free-roadside-assistance |url-status=live }}

Verizon Wireless offers mobile phone, home telephone, and Internet services through a variety of devices.

Verizon Wireless offers smartphones powered by Apple's iOS and Google's Android.{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/finance/stocks/companyProfile?symbol=VZ.N |title=Profile: Verizon Communications Inc. |publisher=Reuters |access-date=February 4, 2016 |archive-date=July 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713114703/https://www.reuters.com/companies/VZ.N |url-status=live }} Both its basic phones and smartphones use their 4G LTE or 5G network.{{Cite web|url=https://www.slashgear.com/verizon-launches-its-first-4g-lte-basic-phone-16488613/|title=Verizon launches its first 4G LTE basic phone|date=June 16, 2017|website=SlashGear|language=en-US|access-date=December 13, 2019|archive-date=October 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028094007/https://www.slashgear.com/verizon-launches-its-first-4g-lte-basic-phone-16488613/|url-status=live}} The company offers different voice and data plans{{Cite web |last=Creasy |first=Justin |date=Aug 16, 2024 |title=The Best Verizon Wireless Plans for 2024 |url=https://victra.com/blog/best-verizon-plans/ |access-date=Aug 16, 2024 |website=Victra}} for its users.{{cite news |title=New Verizon plans ditch phone subsidies, contracts |last1=Albanesius |first1=Chloe |url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2489253,00.asp |newspaper=PC Magazine |date=August 7, 2015 |access-date=February 4, 2016 |archive-date=May 12, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160512105902/http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2489253,00.asp |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Verizon kills off service contracts, smartphone subsidies |last1=Cheng |first1=Roger |url=http://www.cnet.com/news/verizon-kills-off-service-contracts-smartphone-subsidies/ |newspaper=CNET |date=August 7, 2015 |access-date=February 4, 2016 |archive-date=December 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201223134835/https://www.cnet.com/news/verizon-kills-off-service-contracts-smartphone-subsidies/ |url-status=live }}

Introduced in February 2015 as Verizon Wireless Home Phone Connect, Wireless Home Phone uses Verizon's cellular network rather than using traditional landline wires to provide home phone service.{{cite news |title=Verizon Wireless gets a boost from home phones — yes, home phones |last1=Knutson |first1=Ryan |url=https://blogs.wsj.com/corporate-intelligence/2014/04/24/verizon-wireless-gets-a-boost-from-home-phones-yes-home-phones/ |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |date=April 24, 2014 |access-date=February 4, 2016 |archive-date=April 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200417063552/https://blogs.wsj.com/corporate-intelligence/2014/04/24/verizon-wireless-gets-a-boost-from-home-phones-yes-home-phones/ |url-status=live }}

Verizon Mobile network, branded as Jetpack.{{Cite web|url=https://www.verizonwmobile.com/support/verizon-jetpack-faqs/|title=Verizon Jetpack FAQs - Mobile Hotspot|website=www.verizonmobile.com|access-date=February 24, 2020|archive-date=June 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614001227/https://www.verizonwireless.com/support/verizon-jetpack-faqs/|url-status=live}} The company offered home Internet service through a 4G LTE Broadband Router with Voice that can connect up to 10 devices over Wi-Fi as well as home phone service.{{cite news |title=Verizon Wireless nudges into home phone, broadband biz |last1=Cheng |first1=Roger |url=http://www.cnet.com/news/verizon-wireless-nudges-into-home-phone-broadband-biz/ |newspaper=CNET |date=September 25, 2013 |access-date=February 4, 2016 |archive-date=January 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107214114/https://www.cnet.com/news/verizon-wireless-nudges-into-home-phone-broadband-biz/ |url-status=live }} This service and device have since been discontinued.{{Cite web|url=https://www.verizonwireless.com/home-office-solutions/verizon-lte-internet-and-home-phone/|title=Verizon LTE Internet and Home Phone|website=Verizon Wireless|language=en|access-date=February 4, 2020|archive-date=April 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200417094628/https://www.verizonwireless.com/home-office-solutions/verizon-lte-internet-and-home-phone/|url-status=live}}

The LTE in Rural America Program (or LRA program), introduced in May 2010, covers 2.7 million potential users over {{convert|225000|mi2|km2|}} in 169 rural counties.{{cite news |title=Verizon: All 21 LTE in Rural America carrier partners have launched service |last1=Goldstein |first1=Phil |url=http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/verizon-all-21-lte-rural-america-carrier-partners-have-launched-service/2015-10-15 |newspaper=Fierce Wireless |date=October 15, 2015 |access-date=January 28, 2016 |archive-date=July 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200715085313/https://www.fiercewireless.com/wireless/verizon-all-21-lte-rural-america-carrier-partners-have-launched-service |url-status=dead }} Under this program, partners lease spectrum from Verizon Wireless and connect to the company's network, and Verizon provides technical support and resources to help the rural wireless company build out its own 4G LTE network. The program extends the footprint of 4G LTE coverage for both the rural carrier and Verizon, as customers can take advantage of both networks.{{Cite web|title = Verizon's LTE in Rural America (LRA) Program Celebrates Five Years of Delivering Advanced Wireless Services to Rural Customers|url = http://www.verizonwireless.com/news/article/2015/05/verizons-lte-in-rural-america-lra-program-celebrates-five-years-of-delivering-advanced-wireless-services-to-rural-customers.html|website = Verizon Wireless News Center|date = May 15, 2015|access-date = May 20, 2015|archive-date = October 26, 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161026214648/http://www.verizonwireless.com/news/article/2015/05/verizons-lte-in-rural-america-lra-program-celebrates-five-years-of-delivering-advanced-wireless-services-to-rural-customers.html|url-status = live}} {{as of|2015}}, all LRA members have fully rolled out their 4G LTE networks.

• Comparison of mobile phone standards
• List of mobile network operators in the United States

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{Official website|https://www.verizon.com}}

{{Verizon}}

{{US mobile phone companies}}

Wireless

Category:Vodafone

Category:Mobile phone companies of the United States

Category:Companies based in Somerset County, New Jersey

Category:Bernards Township, New Jersey

Category:Telecommunications companies established in 2000

Category:Retail companies established in 2000

Category:2000 establishments in New Jersey

Category:Multinational joint-venture companies