Editing Regional Bell Operating Company (section)

=== Verizon Communications ===
[[Image:VerizonBell.jpg|thumb|right|A [[Verizon Communications|Verizon]] [[payphone]] with the Bell logo]]
In 1997, [[NYNEX]] was acquired by [[Bell Atlantic]] (taking the Bell Atlantic name), which later, in 2000, acquired [[GTE]], the largest independent telephone company. Bell Atlantic later changed its name to [[Verizon]] that same year.

In 2005, following a protracted bidding war with rival RBOC Qwest, Verizon announced that it would acquire long-distance company [[MCI Inc.|MCI]].  The Verizon and MCI merger closed on January 6, 2006.

Bell Atlantic Mobile became<ref>[https://www.verizon.com/about/news/press-releases/bell-atlantic-mobile-purchase-wireless-interests-frontier-corporation]</ref> the largest wireless carrier in the United States through its merger with NYNEX Mobile, its acquisition of Frontier Cellular, its subsequent merger with GTE Mobile, and its joint venture with Vodafone (consolidating its AirTouch business into Bell Atlantic Mobile). The latter two transactions effectively formed Verizon Wireless (which remained a partnership between Verizon Communications and Vodafone until 2013).  The company has largely maintained its lead over the years through further acquisitions (notably, of Alltel Wireless and TracFone) and through organic growth.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2Q 2022 Earnings Conference Call Webcast |url=https://www.verizon.com/about/investors/quarterly-reports/2q-2022-earnings-conference-call-webcast |access-date=2023-01-22 |website=www.verizon.com |language=en}}</ref> surpassing T-Mobile and even AT&T in wireless. Over time much of its wireline area was spun off including northern New England to [[Consolidated Communications]] and other areas with landline businesses to both [[Frontier Communications|Frontier]] and [[FairPoint Communications]].