Verizon New England history

In 1940 LaCroix was elected General Telephone's first chairman, and Harold Bozell, a former banker for Associated Telephone Utilities, was named president.

After initially proposing to build separate satellite systems, GT&E and its telecommunications rival, American Telephone and Telegraph Company, announced in 1974 joint venture plans for the construction and operation of seven earth-based stations interconnected by two satellites.

GT&E sold its consumer electronics businesses, including the accompanying brand names of Philco and Sylvania in 1980, after watching revenues from television and radio operations decrease precipitously with the success of foreign manufacturers.

GTE became the third-largest long-distance telephone company in 1983 through the acquisition of Southern Pacific Communications Company.

On January 1, 1984, AT&T divested itself of 22 local operating companies, which were divided among seven regional holding companies (RHCs).

By the end of 1985 Bell Atlantic earnings were $1.1 billion on revenues of $9.1 billion.

Beginning in 1986 GTE spun off several operations to form joint ventures.

In January 1988 the company found itself, along with BellSouth, accused of misconduct in bidding attempts to win government contracts.

Following action or review by more than 20 governmental bodies, in March 1991 the merger of GTE and Contel was approved.

In 1992 a sweeping reorganization effort was launched that was characterized by Telephony magazine as "easily one of the nation's largest re-engineering processes."

The year 1995 proved pivotal for Bell Atlantic's future.

By early 1998 the new Bell Atlantic had 39.7 million domestic access lines, 5.4 million domestic wireless customers, 6.3 million global wireless customers, and services in 21 countries worldwide.

The $800 million deal was to commence at the start of 2001, but Verizon discontinued it at the last minute, citing NorthPoint's weakening financial position.

WorldCom declared bankruptcy in 2002 during a highly publicized accounting scandal.

By early 2004, Verizon was well positioned at the top of the telecommunications heap.

SBC Communications teamed up with AT&T Corporation in 2005 to create the largest telecommunications company in United States.

Seidenberg was quoted in a 2006 Wall Street Journal article claiming, "Our strategy is to be a customer-focused leader in consumer broadband and video, as well as business and government services, in both the landline and wireless environments.