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Verizon Wireless
Type	Joint venture
Founded	2000
Headquarters	Basking Ridge, New Jersey, USA
Key people	Lowell McAdam (President and Chief Executive Officer) Mike Lanman (Chief Marketing Officer)
Industry	Wireless Services
Products	CDMA2000 1x and EV-DO (wireless voice and data services), SMS (text messaging), MMS (picture messaging), Video on Demand (V CAST), Mobile TV (V CAST Mobile TV), location-based services, BREW (Get It Now), Push to Talk, AMPS, Global Phone Rental/Sales (via Vodafone) (GSM/CDMA Hybrid Phones), Satellite Phone Rental/Sales (via Vodafone), Pagers
Employees	66,000
Parent	Verizon Communications (55%) Vodafone Group (45%)
Slogan	It's the Network / We never stop working for you = Que Nada Te Detenga formerly in Puerto Rico/Es la Compañía in Spanish-speaking US markets
Website	www.verizonwireless.com

Verizon Wireless, owns and operates the second largest wireless telecommunications network in the United States, based on total wireless customers. Based on revenue, Verizon Wireless is the largest American wireless company and largest wireless data provider. As of October 2007, the company served a total of 63.7 million U.S. subscribers and had an annual revenue of $38 billion. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, the company is a joint venture of Verizon Communications and Vodafone Group, with 55 and 45 percent ownership respectively.

Contents 1 History 2 The Network 3 Advertising 4 Awards 5 Content delivery systems 5.1 Get It Now 5.1.1 Overview 5.1.2 Content 5.1.3 Pricing and availability 5.1.4 VZ Navigator 5.1.5 V CAST 6 HopeLine 7 Verizon Wireless with OnStar 8 From "Verizon Wireless" to "Claro" in Puerto Rico 9 Controversy 10 Acquisitions 11 See also 11.1 Verizon Wireless competitors 11.2 Verizon Wireless's MVNOs 12 Notes 13 References 14 External links

Verizon Wireless traces its roots to Bell Atlantic Mobile, NYNEX Mobile Communications, AirTouch Communications, PrimeCo Communications, and GTE Mobilnet. Bell Atlantic Mobile and NYNEX Mobile Communications merged in 1995 to create Bell Atlantic-NYNEX Mobile, and in 1997 their namesake Baby Bell parents followed suit to form the new Bell Atlantic and their wireless subsidiary was renamed Bell Atlantic Mobile. Bell Atlantic Mobile and NYNEX Mobile Communications was created from Advanced Mobile Phone Service, Inc., which was a subsidiary of AT&T created in 1978 to provide cellular service nationwide. AMPS, Inc. was divided among the RBOCs as part of the Bell System Divestiture.

Meanwhile, in June 1999, AirTouch Communications of San Francisco, California merged with UK-based Vodafone Group Plc, forming Vodafone AirTouch Plc. In September 1999, Vodafone AirTouch announced a $90-billion joint venture with Bell Atlantic Corp. to be called Verizon Wireless, and which would be comprised of the two companies' U.S. wireless assets: Bell Atlantic Mobile and AirTouch Paging. This wireless joint venture received regulatory approval in six months, and began operations as Verizon Wireless on April 4, 2000. On June 30, 2000, the addition of GTE Wireless' assets, in connection with the merger of Bell Atlantic and GTE to form Verizon Communications, made Verizon Wireless the nation's largest wireless communications provider (until Cingular's acquisition of AT&T Wireless in 2004). For the joint venture, Verizon Communications owns 55% and UK-based Vodafone Group (formerly Vodafone AirTouch) owns 45%.

The name "Verizon," a portmanteau, is derived by combining the word "veritas," a Latin term that means "truth," and the word "horizon." Together, they are supposed to conjure images of reliability, certainty, leadership, and limitless possibilities.^[1]

Verizon is one of seven national U.S. carriers to use CDMA technology, the others being Sprint Nextel's Sprint PCS division, Alltel, U.S. Cellular, Cricket, Midwest Wireless and MetroPCS (see List of United States mobile phone companies for more information). Aside from the 3 generations of CDMA (IS-95, 1x, and EV-DO), Verizon Wireless also supports a legacy AMPS network.

Verizon Wireless invests a claimed $8 billion annually to maintain and expand its nationwide CDMA network. Verizon Wireless offers voice services as well as 3G data services such as wireless broadband based on EV-DO Rev A, text and picture messaging, over-the-air downloadable applications and content from its "Get It Now" service, Video on Demand in the form of V CAST (which allows customers to download and view video content), location-based services, and Push-to-Talk.

On June 30, 2007, Verizon Wireless had completed the overhaul of the entire EV-DO network to EV-DO Rev. A. This enables PC Cards to obtain downloading speeds of 600 kbit/s to 1.4 Mbit/s and uploading speeds of 500-800 kbit/s.

On 27 November 2007, Verizon Wireless announced plans to allow all cell phones compatible with their CDMA technology to run on their network. The other carrier in the US with CDMA technology is Sprint-Nextel. Users of such phones are also allowed to use any application they wish. The plan should take effect by the end of 2008.^[2]

However, on September 20, 2007, Verizon Wireless had announced a joint effort with the Vodafone Group to transition their networks to the 4G standard LTE, a variant of the GSM standard.^[3], and on November 29, 2007, Verizon Wireless announced that they would start LTE trials in 2008. Adopting LTE would be a significant shift away from Verizon Wireless’ current use of CDMA technology, but would offer increased operability for users traveling worldwide.^[4]

In 2000, Verizon Wireless advertised the fact that they were, for a time, the largest cellular network in the country by showing people using cell phones and then gesturing with two fingers, much like the World War II-era "V for Victory" sign, to show that the person was on the Verizon ("V" or "iN") network. The slogan for Verizon Wireless at that time was "Join in." (Reminiscent of the slogan "Join in" was used in their marketing scheme up to this day. i.e., "iN-calling," "iN-messaging," and even the toll-free number "1-800-2-JOIN-IN.")

Later, Verizon adopted the slogan "We never stop working for you," with commercials depicting a Verizon employee roaming about in strange places continuously asking, "Can you hear me now? Good." (The "employee" is played by stage actor Paul Marcarelli) The "test man" represents Verizon test technicians.^[5]

In 2005, Verizon Wireless added an "army" of network engineers into their commercials in conjunction with the "test man." The "test man" no longer says "Can you hear me now? Good." Instead, they have adopted a new slogan "It's the Network." to emphasize their network quality. (Verizon Wireless still uses the slogan "We never stop working for you." from time to time — especially on their website.

Get It Now is Verizon Wireless's implementation of Qualcomm's BREW technology, allowing a user to download and use applications on a Verizon Wireless Get It Now-enabled phone. It is a proprietary interface to download ringtones, music, games, applications, and use instant messaging on a phone. Users usually are unable to load content on the Verizon Wireless phones outside of Get It Now system; this is done for financial reasons. Verizon Wireless has exclusivity agreements with its Get It Now content providers (this is a walled garden system). Sometimes cell phone enthusiasts do unauthorized modifications to their phones or use unauthorized software to make the phone accept non- Get It Now -originated content.

Most games available on Get It Now are available in two purchase options: "subscribe," which charges a monthly amount to an account, and "unlimited" which is slightly more expensive and has one-time charge. Subscription fees range from $2.99 to $4.99 per month. Purchase fees range from $4.99 to $11.99 Some applications, such as Zagat restaurant lookup, do not allow unlimited-use purchases. Any application or game that requires a data connection will use one's monthly minutes or incur per-megabyte charges, depending on the user's calling plan. Often, more advanced games must be purchased and downloaded.

Even though most of the applications available through Get It Now are BREW-based, the available selection of games and applications is different depending on what Verizon phone one is using.

Main article: VZ Navigator

Within Get It Now, Verizon has implemented a GPS navigation application, VZ Navigator, that works for the most part like a standalone GPS unit. Users can also locate businesses within their vicinity, searching by category or business name. Users can type in addresses and receive turn by turn directions to their destination. The cost is $2.99 per day or $9.99 per month. VZNavigator was recently made "airtime free", meaning it will not use calling minutes during use.

Main article: V CAST

Also within Get It Now is V CAST, Verizon Wireless' high-speed audio, video, and entertainment delivery system.

Verizon Wireless collects no-longer-used wireless phones, batteries and accessories in any condition from any wireless service provider.^[6] Phones that can be refurbished are sold for reuse and those without value are disposed of in an environmentally sound way by way of ReCellular Inc. Proceeds from HopeLine are used to provide wireless phones and cash grants to local shelters and non-profit organizations that focus on domestic violence prevention and awareness.

Verizon Wireless currently offers the "Nationwide Plan with OnStar," which is a bundle plan between Verizon Wireless service and OnStar service.^[7] With this plan, the Verizon Wireless phone is the "primary line" and the OnStar device is the "secondary line." This plan is very similar to the "Family SharePlan," with rates starting at $69.99 USD for 700 minutes.^[8]

The Claro brand was launched in Puerto Rico on 18 May 2007 as rebranding the Verizon Wireless trademark, after Verizon International sold its stake on the company. Claro is the wireless arm of Puerto Rico Telephone, which serves wireline telephone and data services in the island. The brand was introduced to the wireless segment after the 30 March 2007 acquisition of the telecom by América Móvil.

Claro Puerto Rico is currently the largest serving the island, serving more than 567,060 customers (partly due to the fact that the Puerto Rico Telephone Company was the first wireless provider on the Island, starting in the 1980s). The company has made public its plans to launch a GSM/UMTS network parallel to the CDMA/EvDO network it operates since 2002. Claro has mobile voice and data services in Puerto Rico's 78 cities and towns and it's coverage is constantly expanding, the company says.

Claro Puerto Rico Slogans

• "Bienvenido a un mundo mejor." | "Welcome to a better world" - in English
• "La red más poderosa habla Claro." | "The most powerful network speaks Claro" - in English
• "Verizon Wireless la red más poderosa, ahora es Claro." | "Verizon Wireless the most powerful network, is now Claro." - in English

• In mid-2006, the consumer research firm Telephia published a report that suggests AT&T Mobility drops the fewest calls across the country. Verizon Wireless advertises heavily the quality of their network above competitors. According to the Consumer Beat reporter for The Boston Globe:

Telephia independently measures the top four wireless carriers for a number of consumer value points. In relation to call quality, Telephia, in a letter to the four major carriers regarding this research, will not confirm or deny that Cingular drops the fewest calls. Also, Telephia has requested that Cingular update its advertising to indicate that Telephia provided the information it uses to make this claim, not that it actually supports or confirms the 'fewest dropped calls' claim.^[9]

• Verizon Wireless charges customers peak minutes if a user dials his/her voicemail during peak hours. A customer may have mobile to mobile but will still be charged peak minutes for dialing his/her voicemail. Many customers are used to having free minutes when checking voicemail and are unaware that Verizon Wireless is deducting peak minutes.

• Verizon deactivates the built-in GPS capabilities of many current phones and PDAs. For example, its recently introduced Blackberry 8830 and 8130 both have full GPS capabilities and the Blackberry Maps application which uses the GPS capability for tracking and navigation. Verizon has disabled the GPS to all other mapping applications other than it's own VZ Navigator, which is billed at $2.99 a day or $9.99 a month.

• Verizon advertised the Motorola V710 as having full Bluetooth capability, when in reality it had no OBEX or OPP functions built in. After many complaints, a class action suit was filed for false advertising, not only for advertising missing capabilities, but also for telling customers who complained to Verizon that an update was coming out "in November." The lawsuit was initiated in January of 2005 and settlement decision became final on March 20, 2006, with Verizon offering to qualified members of the class action suit (purchased a V710 BEFORE February 2, 2005) a $25 credit to all of its V710 customers, or the option to trade in the V710 for $200 or original purchase price and allow them to keep their phone number and service, or $200 or original purchase price and allow them to break their contract and discontinue service with Verizon (all after numerous paperwork loops). The settlement to the lawsuit did not directly address the V710's restrictions. The same hardware crippling exists with Motorola's successor to the V710, the E815, but unlike the V710, the E815 was marked clearly that OBEX and OPP was disabled. Additionally, through a seem edit, OBEX could be enabled on the 815, but not on the 710 (the Verizon e815 lacks the OPP profile altogether). Other carriers' versions of the V710, while still possessing some restrictions to the Bluetooth functionality, are much less restrictive overall, allowing full use of the customer's own MIDI and MP3 files for ringtones, etc.^{[citation needed]}

• Verizon makes heavy use of Qualcomm's BREW technology, and uses it over Java in case of phones where both are an option. By using BREW (which is branded Get It Now), Verizon locks users into its own applications, making it impossible to install anything Verizon doesn't offer. Programs such as the standard mail reader included in some phones were removed, forcing people to buy expensive mail readers from Get It Now. It is not uncommon for CDMA carriers to implement BREW. Most of the US CDMA carriers currently use BREW. Sprint Nextel is the main exception. They have opted for the Java interface.^[10]

• Verizon Wireless has removed features in firmware updates for the Motorola V710 and several other newer phones for ringtone transfers, making it more difficult - but not impossible - to transfer MP3s from the phone's microSD card. This update also disabled editing of the homepage field in WebSessions making it more difficult to use alternate WAP gateways. One result of this crippling has been a prominent network of "unofficial" web sites, documenting how to enable, access, or use hidden or crippled features. This often includes divulging service codes for new phone models, or homebrew software that can access otherwise hidden parts of the phone's memory system.^{[citation needed]}

• Verizon Wireless has implemented a standard user interface across all handsets. Somewhat reminiscent of LG's interface, this standard reduces support training costs. However, it has also anecdotally alienated some customers who prefer other phone manufacturer-specific interfaces.

• Verizon Wireless has come under fire by "power users" of its EV-DO wireless data network (called BroadbandAccess), for using language in its terms of service which heavily restricts what activities an EV-DO user can conduct even though the service is advertised as offering "Unlimited" data usage. The language in Verizon Wireless' usage agreement states:

  Unlimited NationalAccess/BroadbandAccess services cannot be used (1) for uploading, downloading or streaming of movies, music or games, (2) with server devices or with host computer applications, including, but not limited to, Web camera posts or broadcasts, automatic data feeds, Voice over IP (VoIP), automated machine-to-machine connections, or peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, or (3) as a substitute or backup for private lines or dedicated data connections... We reserve right to limit throughput or amount of data transferred, deny or terminate service, without notice, to anyone we believe is using NationalAccess or BroadbandAccess in any manner prohibited above or whose usage adversely impacts our network or service levels.^[11]

• To stem criticism of the above, Verizon Wireless now outright limits the "unlimited" use, by imposing a quota on "unlimited" use, and terminates customers who exceed it. According to The Washington Post,^[12] Broadband Reports,^[13] tech columnist Robert X. Cringely,^{[citation needed]} many wireless industry "insider" news sites and blogs,^[14][15][16] Verizon advertises "unlimited" broadband service but reserves the right to terminate anyone using more than 5 GB/month (166 MB/day) regardless of use or content transferred, with no difference between permitted web browsing, or prohibited uses, such as peer-to-peer file sharing). This is a quota of about 15 minutes of continuous data transmission time per day. A PBS investigator monitored his bandwidth during normal use and discovered it to be 184 MB/day.^[17]

• At the end of 2006, Verizon Wireless bought out West Virginia Wireless, a regional GSM cell phone company.
• On 30 July 2007, Rural Cellular Corporation (Unicel) announced it agreed to be acquired by Verizon Wireless (a CDMA carrier). Verizon said that it plans to convert RCC's GSM customers to CDMA technology, but it will continue to operate RCC's current GSM network in order to generate roaming revenue. The sale is expected to close in early 2008, pending approvals from the FCC and potentially the Department of Justice, to ensure that the acquisition won't be anti-competitive in some geographic areas. On 4 October 2007, Rural Cellular Corporation Shareholders Approve Merger Agreement with Verizon Wireless "ALEXANDRIA, Minn., Oct 04, 2007 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Rural Cellular Corporation ("RCC" or "the Company") (NASDAQ:RCCC) today announced that its shareholders voted to approve the merger agreement providing for the acquisition of Rural Cellular Corporation by Verizon Wireless for approximately $2.67 billion in cash and assumed debt."
• In November 2007, Rural Cellular (Unicel) Subscribers mounted an effort to stop this sale of Unicel.

• Verizon Communications (primary Verizon Wireless' parent company)
• Vodafone (secondary Verizon Wireless' parent company)
• Venturi Transport Protocol

Wireless (in order of customer totals)

• AT&T Mobility
• Sprint Nextel
• T-Mobile
• Alltel
• U.S. Cellular

• TracFone
• Lucky Wireless
• Page Plus Cellular
• Jitterbug Wireless
• Locus Mobile

Early in 2006, Verizon announced their intent to buy out the remaining 45% of stock of Verizon Wireless from Vodafone..^[18] Vodafone, however, stated they “have no current plans to exit” the US market by giving up its stake in Verizon Wireless.^[19]

On December 19, 2006, it was announced Verizon Wireless' CEO Denny Strigl has been called up to parent Verizon Communications to be the company's new President and COO. He was to begin serving in the new post on January 1, 2007. Verizon Wireless COO Lowell McAdam was to take over Strigl's role as CEO of VZW.^[20]

• Official Verizon Wireless Web site
• OnStar with Verizon Wireless service
• Save Unicel - Cell Phone Users Opposing Sale Of Unicel To Verizon Wireless
• TechMaster Telecom

v • d • e Cellco Partnership
Corporate officers	Lowell McAdam, President and CEO
Owners	Verizon Communications (55%) · Vodafone (45%)
Wireless operating companies	Bell Atlantic Cellular Holdings · GTE Consumer Services · GTE Wireless · GTE Wireless of Ohio · JV PartnerCo · NYNEX PCS · PCSCO · PCS Nucleus
Employees: 66,000 · Website: verizonwireless.com

v • d • e Verizon Communications, Inc.
Corporate Directors	James Barker · Richard Carrión · Robert Lane · Sandra Moose · Joseph Neubauer · Thomas O'Brien · Hugh Price · Ivan Seidenberg · Walter Shipley · John R. Stafford · Robert Storey
Holding Companies	GTE · MCI · NYNEX
Bell Operating Companies	Verizon Delaware · Verizon Maryland · Verizon New England · Verizon New Jersey · Verizon New York · Verizon Pennsylvania · Verizon Washington, D.C. · Verizon West Virginia · Verizon Virginia
GTE operating companies	Contel of the South · GTE Southwest · Verizon California · Verizon Florida · Verizon North · Verizon Northwest · Verizon South
Long Distance Services	Bell Atlantic Communications · NYNEX Long Distance
Wireless services	Verizon Wireless (55%)
Internet services	Verizon Online DSL · FiOS Internet
Video Services	FiOS TV
Other Assets	Empire City Subway
Annual Revenue: $75.1 billion USD ( FY 2005) · Employees: 216,704 · Stock Symbol: NYSE: VZ · Website: verizon.com

v • d • e Vodafone Group
Subsidiaries	Albania  · Australia · Czech Republic · Egypt · Germany · Greece · Hungary · India · Ireland · Italy · Malta · Netherlands · New Zealand · Northern Cyprus · Portugal · Romania · Spain · Turkey · United Kingdom
Joint ventures, affiliates, and investments	China (Mainland): Chine Mobile (3.3%) · Fiji · France: SFR (44%) · Kenya: Safaricom (35%) · India · Poland: Plus GSM (19.61%) · South Africa: Vodacom (Includes DR Congo · Lesotho · Mozambique · Tanzania) (50%) · United States: Verizon Wireless (45%)
Partners	Argentina · Austria · Bahrain · Belgium · Bermuda · Brazil · Bulgaria · Caribbean · Chile · China (Hong Kong) · Columbia · Croatia · Cyprus · Denmark · Ecuador · El Salvador · Estonia · Finland · Guatemala · Guernsey · Honduras · Iceland · Indonesia · Jersey · Latvia · Lithuania · Luxembourg · Malaysia · Mexico · Nicaragua · Norway · Paraguay · Peru · Samoa · Serbia · Singapore · Slovenia · Sri Lanka · Sweden · Switzerland · Uruguay
Fixed/ Broadband Networks	Arcor · Neuf Cegetel · ihug
Products and services	Vodafone live! · Vodafone Mobile Connect USB Modem · Vodafone at Home · Vodafone 710
Sponsorship	McLaren · UEFA · Team Vodafone · Vodafone Arena
Miscellaneous	Vodafone market share · Cheeka (dog) · AirTouch · Mannesmann

v • d • e US mobile phone companies
Major network operators	AT&T · Sprint Nextel · T-Mobile · Verizon Wireless
Super-regional network operators	Alltel · Cellular South · Centennial · Cricket · MetroPCS · SunCom · Unicel · U.S. Cellular
Minor-regional network operators	ACS · Cellcom · Cellular One · Cincinnati Bell Wireless · Edge Wireless · i wireless · Immix · nTelos · Pocket Communications · Revol · SouthernLINC Wireless · West Central Wireless
Mobile virtual network operators	7-Eleven Speak Out Wireless · BeyondMobile · Hawaiian Telcom · Helio · Jitterbug Wireless · Kajeet · KDDI Mobile · Liberty Wireless · Lucky Wireless · MOSH Mobile · Movida Wireless · Qwest Wireless · STI Mobile · TracFone Wireless · Virgin Mobile USA · Voce