Verizon Communications

With an estimated 17 bllion dollars in assets, Verizon is exploring a sale or spin-off of the business unit to finance its expansion in wireless and high-speed Internet services.^[7]. Although Youngman's jest suggests that the list of holidays for a non-believer would necessarily be the "empty set", many non-believers honor various holidays and "holy" days, and those of one faith often honor holidays of other faiths. It had an operating revenue of $3.6 billion in 2004 and employs 7,300 nationwide.^[6]. Referring to the original meaning of the term, Henny Youngman included this joke among his vast catalog of one-liners:. The web sites receives 17 million unique visitors a month. Christopher Columbus, who has arrived in the New World just moments earlier, tells a Native American that he wants to cash a check... The yellow page business for Verzion known as Superpages is a Texas-based sales, publishing and related services for 1,200 directory titles with a circulation of about 121 million copies in 41 states. One example of this fact is revealed by the assumption inherent in this bit of dialogue from the 1961 musical-comedy album, Stan Freberg Presents The United States of America, Volume One.

Verizon calls this "FiOS Internet".^[5]. Some holidays that were once widely celebrated are less so today, for various reasons. Verizon recently began offering FTTP (Fiber to the Premises) to some subscribers. Some are designed to promote a cause, others recognize historical events not recognized officially, and others are "funny" holidays are generally intended as humorous distractions and excuses to share laughs among friends. Verizon provides DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) Internet service in many areas where it offers phone service. These are holidays celebrated by various groups and individuals. Verizon provides standard POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) service as well as VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) and Fiber line services. Other secular holidays not observed internationally:.

The merger was completed January 6, 2006. Many other days are marked to celebrate events or people, but are not strictly holidays as time off work is rarely given. This not only renders the company, effectively, a regional phone company, but also forces it to pay usage fees to a long-haul carrier such as MCI to complete calls for its customers whenever those calls go outside the Verizon "footprint." That need is obviated by the MCI acquisition. They are:. While it is the largest telecommunications company in the world, the bulk of Verizon's profitable business is concentrated in the eastern United States. With the winter holidays, come various different greetings appropriate for each holiday or the entire season. However, the real benefit to Verizon is the acquisition of long-haul lines. In some Christian countries, the end of the festive season is considered to be after the feast of Epiphany, although this has only symbolic value.

Media coverage has focused on several ways in which that acquisition, once completed, will benefit Verizon, including economies of scale derived from a potential productivity boost to be achieved via the elimination of thousands of jobs at the combined company, and access to the large base of business customers currently served by MCI. Usually, this festive period begins near the end of November and ends with New Year's Day on January 1, reflecting traditional pagan celebrations of the period around the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere. On February 14, 2005, Verizon agreed to acquire MCI, formerly WorldCom, after SBC Communications agreed to acquire AT&T just a few weeks earlier. Except in North America, the phrases "holiday season" and "holiday period" usually mean the summer months when most people take their annual holiday ("vacation" in North American English), and phrases such as the "festive period" are used to describe the period around Christmas and New Year. In 2005, Verizon sold off GTE's former telephone operations in Hawaii to The Carlyle Group, This operation is now known as Hawaiian Telcom. In many Western countries, the winter holiday season is a period of time surrounding Christmas. In 2002, Verizon sold GTE's former telephone operations in 4 states: Missouri, Arkansas and Alabama operations were sold to CenturyTel, and Kentucky operations were sold to Alltel. The Catholic fiestas patronales are celebrated in each place's patron saint's day, according to the Calendar of saints.

Verizon also owns 50% of Gibraltar NYNEX Communications and part of Vodafone Italia. In the order of the Wheel of the Year:. (TELPRI). Well-known consecutive holidays include:. Verizon also serves international customers in the Dominican Republic through Verizon Dominicana, Venezuela through CANTV, and Puerto Rico through Telecomunicaciones de Puerto Rico, Inc. In late 1990s, the Japanese government passed a law that increased the likelihood of consecutive holidays by moving holidays from fixed days to a relative position in a month, such as the second Monday. Due to the rigorous climate and high costs, GTE Alaska was sold to Alaska Power and Telephone Company rather than be merged with Verizon. They tend to be considered a good chance to take short trips.

It also provides service to secondary markets (mostly from its acquisition of GTE) in:. Consecutive holidays are a string of holidays taken together without working days in between. The primary states that it provides service to include:. "Legal holiday" is not a term used outside the United States. Verizon serves customers throughout much of the United States. "Public Holiday" is the term used in Australia and "Bank Holiday" in the UK, although some industries in the UK work through Bank Holidays. As of 2003, it has more than 203,000 employees. Public holidays can be either religious, in which case they reflect the dominant religion in a country, or secular, in which case they are usually political or historical in character.

It also has more than 16 million long distance customers. A public holiday or legal holiday is a holiday endorsed by the state. Verizon shares were made a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average on April 8, 2004.^[4] Verizon currently has 140.3 million land lines in service. . Note this section refers to land lines only, as Verizon Wireless operates nationwide..
. Genuity was formerly the Internet division of GTE Corp and spun off in 2000.^[2] Level 3 Communications acquired the bankrupt ISP in 2002 for only $137 million; a bargain-basement price the $616 million that a pre-Bell Atlantic-merger GTE paid for Genuity (then BBN Planet) paid in 1997.^[3]. A holiday can also be a special day on which school and/or offices are closed, such as Labor Day.

Verizon then became the majority owner (55%) of Verizon Wireless. In Canada and the United States, a Holiday is a day set aside by a nation or culture (in some cases, multiple nations and cultures) typically for celebration but sometimes for some other kind of special culture-wide (or national) observation or activity. GTE's wireless operations became part of Verizon Wireless—creating what was initially the nation's largest wireless company before Cingular Wireless acquired AT&T Wireless in 2004—when the Bell Atlantic–GTE merger closed nearly three months later. However, some Canadians (especially those of English or Irish decent) will use both the terms vacation and holiday interchangeably when referring to a trip away from home or time off work. This wireless joint venture received regulatory approval in six months, and began operations as Verizon Wireless on April 4, 2000, kicking off the new "Verizon" brand name. "I'm going on holiday to Malta next week"), the North American equivalent being "vacation". wireless assets (Bell Atlantic Mobile (which was previously called Bell Atlantic-NYNEX Mobile by 1997), AirTouch Cellular, PrimeCo Personal Communications and AirTouch Paging). In most of the English-speaking world a holiday is also a period spent away from home or business in travel or recreation (e.g.

Meanwhile, on September 21, 1999, Bell Atlantic and UK-based Vodafone AirTouch Plc (now Vodafone Group Plc) announced that they had agreed to create a new wireless business with a national footprint, a single brand and a common digital technology—composed of Bell Atlantic's and Vodafone's U.S. The word has evolved in general usage to mean any special day. Verizon began trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under its new "VZ" symbol on Monday, July 3, 2000. Based on the words holy and day -, holidays originally represented special religious days. Fractional shares resulting from the exchange of GTE stock into Verizon Communications shares were sold at a price of $55.00 per share. The word holiday has related but different meanings in English-speaking countries. The merger of Bell Atlantic and GTE, to form Verizon Communications, became effective on June 30, 2000, with an exchange ratio of 1.22 shares of Verizon Communications Common Stock for each share of GTE Common Stock owned. Native: "Columbus Day!".

The Bell Atlantic-GTE merger, priced at more than $52 billion at the time of the announcement, closed nearly two years later, following analysis and approvals by Bell Atlantic and GTE shareowners, 27 state regulatory commissions and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and clearance from the United States Department of Justice (DoJ) and various international agencies. Columbus: "Oh? Why?". The mergers that formed Verizon were among the largest mergers in United States business history, culminating in a definitive merger agreement, dated July 27, 1998, between Bell Atlantic, based in New York City since the merger with NYNEX in 1996, and GTE, which was in the process of moving its headquarters from Stamford, Connecticut, to Irving, Texas. Banks closed.". Its former Canadian subsidiaries have combined with the former Alberta Government Telephones (AGT) to create TELUS, the second largest telecommunications carrier in Canada. Native: "You out of luck today. GTE operated in Canada via controlling interest in subsidiary companies such as BC TEL and Quebec Tel. Tax Freedom Day (calculated by dividing the tally of all taxes collected in each year by a tally of all income, and applying it to the calendar).

GTE provided local telephone service in a large number of areas of the U.S. Sinkie Day (The Day After Thanksgiving). They also owned Automatic Electric, a telephone equipment supplier similar in many ways to Western Electric. Flying Spaghetti Monsterism Holy Day (every Friday). It would later merge with the second largest independent, Continental Telephone (ConTel). Blame Someone Else Day (first Friday the 13th of the year). General Telephone and Electronics (GTE) was the largest of the "independent" telephone companies during the days of the Bell System. Christmahanukwanzakah (the holiday season in general, a holiday made out of a marketing campaign invented by Virgin Mobile during the 2004 holiday season.).

parent company's merger with Verizon, before being dropped in 2002 in favor of Gibtelecom, although it is still used colloquially in Gibraltar. Festivus (23 December). The NYNEX name was retained after the U.S. Mole Day (23 October). In Gibraltar, NYNEX had a 50 per cent stake in a joint venture with the Government of Gibraltar, called Gibraltar NYNEX Communications, also known as GNC or GibNYNEX. Brick Day (15 October). NYNEX also operated cable TV services in some parts of the UK, although these were later sold to Cable & Wireless, which subsequently sold these to NTL. October Fool's Day (1 October) (Southern Hemisphere version of April Fool's Day).

NYNEX was created as one of the original Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOCs) in 1984 and it owned New York Telephone and New England Telephone. Ask a Stupid Question Day (28 September). NYNEX was consolidated into this name by 1997. International Talk Like a Pirate Day (19 September). when it merged, it moved its corporate headquarters from Philadelphia to New York City. National Underwear Day (11 August). Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia as well as Washington, DC. National Talk In Elevators Day (last Friday of July).

states of New Jersey, New York. Pi Approximation Day (22 July). Until its then Chairman and CEO, Raymond Smith orchestrated its merger with NYNEX in 1996, Bell Atlantic operated in the U.S. Evoloterra (20 July celebrates the first manned Moon Landing). Bell Atlantic's original roster of Operating Companies was Bell of Pennsylvania, New Jersey Bell, Diamond State, and Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Companies. X-Day (5 July in the Church of the SubGenius). The origins of this company began as Bell Atlantic, and was created as one of the original Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOCs) in 1984. Bloomsday (16 June based on James Joyce's novel Ulysses).

. No Pants Day (first Friday of May).
. 24-hour Comics Day (24 April). The name is a portmanteau of the Latin word veritas (meaning truth) and the English word horizon. Towel Day (25 May) (a tribute to the late Douglas Adams). Prior to its transformation into Verizon, Bell Atlantic had merged with another Regional Bell Operating Company, NYNEX, in 1997. International Cannabis Day (20 April).

Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) is a New York City-based Baby Bell formed when Bell Atlantic, one of the Regional Bell Operating Companies, bought GTE, formerly the largest independent local-exchange telephone company in the United States in 2000. Pi Day (14 March). Wisconsin. International Dadaism Month (4 February, 1 April, 28 March, 15 July, 2 August, 7 August, 16 August, 26 August, 18 September, 22 September, 1 October, 17 October, 26 October). Washington. Wintereenmas (25 January through 31 January). Texas. Paper Hat Day (4 January).

South Carolina. Holidays originating in ancient Latvia. Puerto Rico. Sweetest Day (third Saturday in October, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Michigan in the United States). Oregon. Queen's Day (30 March in the Netherlands). Ohio. Pioneer Day (24 July in Utah, United States).

North Carolina. Patriot's Day (third Monday in April in Massachusetts and Maine, United States). Nevada. Mother-in-Law's Day (fourth Sunday in October, where?). Michigan. Martin Luther King Day (third Monday in January in the United States). Indiana. Loyalty Day (1 May in the United States).

Illinois. Lee-Jackson-King Day (20 January) Combined holiday celebrated in the Commonwealth of Virginia from 1984 to 2000. Idaho. Independence day (observed by many different countries at different dates). Florida. Labour Day (Many European countries celebrate Labour Day on May 1). California. Labor Day (a United States federal holiday that takes place on the first Monday of September).

West Virginia. Groundhog Day (2 February in United States and Canada). Virginia. Grandparent's Day (Sunday after September Labor Day - proclaimed in the United States by Jimmy Carter in 1978). Vermont. Flag Day (14 June in the United States). Rhode Island. Boxing Day (26 December in the Commonwealth of Nations).

Pennsylvania. International Women's Day (8th of March, particularly in Eastern European Countries). New York. United Nations holidays. New Jersey. Halloween (31 October). New Hampshire. Father's Day (third Sunday in June; 19 March, others; 8 August, Republic of China).

Massachusetts. World Ocean Day (8 June). Maryland. Mother's Day (second Sunday in May in North America, fourth Sunday in Lent in UK). Maine. Labour Day, Worker's Day or May Day (1 May, most countries - United States and Canada are prominent exceptions). District of Columbia. Earth Day (22 April).

Delaware. April Fool's Day (1 April). northeastern Connecticut. Astronomy Day (date varies depending on cycle of Moon). Leap Day (29 February, every four years). Valentine's Day (14 February).

Perihelion (3-6 January, depending on year and location). Happy Winter. Happy Thanksgiving. Happy Solstice.

Happy New Year. Happy Kwanzaa. Joyous Yule. Happy Holiday(s).

Season's Greetings. Happy Hanukkah. Merry Christmas (sometimes referenced in Spanish or French as Feliz Navidad and Joyeux Noel). Preceded by New Year's Eve on 31 December, which is celebrated with festivities in anticipation of New Year's Day.

New Year's Day - (1 January) — Holiday observing the first day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. In many European countries it is also a holiday, called St Stephen's Day or the second day of Christmas. Boxing Day (26 December) — Holiday observed in many Commonwealth countries on 26 December. It was created in 1966.

Kwanzaa (USA) - (26 December - 1 January) — Holiday observance held from December 26 to January 1 honoring African-American heritage, primarily in the United States. Christmas is also celebrated as a secular gift-giving holiday; other observances include the decoration of trees and houses. Christmas Day - (25 December) — Christian holiday commemorating the traditional birth-date of Jesus. Hanukkah - (26 Kislev - 2/3 Tevet - almost always in December) — Jewish holiday celebrating the defeat of Seleucid forces who had tried to prevent Israel from practising Judaism, and also celebrating the miracle of the Menorah lights burning for eight days with only enough (olive) oil for one day.

It is celebrated by many as a secular holiday, and marks the beginning of the American "holiday season". It is traditionally celebrated with a meal shared among friends and family in which turkey is eaten. Thanksgiving - (fourth Thursday in November in USA, second Monday in October in Canada) — Holiday generally observed as an expression of gratitude, traditionally to God, for the autumn harvest. Birth of Bahá'u'lláh.

Birth of the Báb. Martyrdom of the Báb. Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh. Declaration of the Báb.

12th Day of Ridvan. 9th Day of Ridvan. 1st Day of Ridván. Naw Ruz (Bahá'í New Year).

Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). Tu Bishvat (New year of the trees). Tisha B'Av. Sukkot (The Feast of Tabernacles).

Shavuot (Pentecost). Rosh Hashanah (New Year). Purim (Based on the events in the Biblical book of Esther). Passover.

Lag Ba'omer. Hanukkah (also: Chanukah; the Festival of Lights). Ramadan. Festival of Muharram.

Eid ul-Adha, Greater Bairam. Eid ul-Fitr, Lesser Bairam