Editing GTE (section)

==Merger with Bell Atlantic ==
[[Image:Verizon Logo 2000 to 2015.svg|thumb|200px|right|Original Verizon logo introduced at the time of the acquisition]]<!--For illustration purposes of BA/GTE acquisition KEEP IT THERE!-->
Bell Atlantic merged with GTE on June 30, 2000, and named the new entity [[Verizon Communications]]. The GTE operating companies retained by Verizon became collectively known as '''Verizon West''' division of Verizon (including east coast service territories). The remaining smaller operating companies were sold off or transferred into the remaining ones. Additional properties were sold off within a few years after the merger to [[CenturyTel]], [[Alltel]], and [[Hawaiian Telcom]].

On July 1, 2010, Verizon sold many former GTE properties to [[Frontier Communications]].<ref>{{cite web|author=FCC Internet Services Staff |url=http://www.fcc.gov/wcb/armis/carrier_filing_history/COSA_History/gttc.htm |title=Corporate History – Verizon Communications (formerly GTE Corporation) |publisher=Fcc.gov |access-date=May 15, 2012}}</ref> Additional ex-GTE territories in California, Florida, and Texas were sold to Frontier in 2015 and transferred in 2016, ending Verizon's landline operations outside of the historic Bell Atlantic footprint.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fiercetelecom.com/story/verizon-must-slash-375m-costs-stay-even-keel-following-frontier-sale-jeffer/2016-04-07|title=Verizon must slash $375M in costs to stay on even keel following Frontier sale, Jefferies says|work=FierceTelecom|access-date=November 14, 2020|archive-date=June 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160615035450/http://www.fiercetelecom.com/story/verizon-must-slash-375m-costs-stay-even-keel-following-frontier-sale-jeffer/2016-04-07|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Verizon still operates phone service in non-Bell System areas in Pennsylvania under [[Verizon North]], and in non-Bell System areas in Virginia and Knotts Island, North Carolina under [[Verizon South]].

In September 2024, Verizon announced a deal to acquire Frontier, which will return much of the former GTE network to Verizon ownership.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/09/frontiers-3-million-users-to-become-verizon-users-in-latest-telco-merger/|title=Verizon to buy Frontier for $9.6 billion, says it will expand fiber network|first=Jon|last=Brodkin|date=September 5, 2024|access-date=November 27, 2024|website=Ars Technica}}</ref>
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