Verizon (mobile network)
Verizon is an American wireless network operator that previously operated as a separate division of Verizon Communications under the name Verizon Wireless. In a 2019 reorganization, Verizon moved the wireless products and services into the divisions Verizon Consumer and Verizon Business, and stopped using the Verizon Wireless name. Verizon is the second-largest wireless carrier in the United States, with 144.8 million subscribers as of December 31, 2023.[4] It currently has the largest network in the United States with their LTE network covering 70% of the United States.[5]
Formerly
April 4, 2000 in Bedminster, New Jersey, United States
2,330 owned retail stores
United States
Hans Vestberg (CEO, Verizon Communications)
The company is headquartered in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. It was founded in 2000 as a joint venture of American telecommunications firm Bell Atlantic, which would soon become Verizon Communications, and British multinational telecommunications company Vodafone.[6] Verizon Communications became the sole owner in 2014 after buying Vodafone's 45-percent stake in the company.[7]
It operates national 5G and 4G LTE networks covering about 99 percent of the U.S. population,[8] which in the second half of 2020 won or tied for top honors in each category of the RootMetrics RootScore Reports.[9] Verizon Wireless offers mobile phone services through a variety of devices.[10] Its LTE in Rural America Program, with 21 rural wireless carriers participating, covers 2.7 million potential users in 169 rural counties.[11] Verizon Wireless announced in 2015 that it was developing a 5G, or fifth-generation, network.[12] In 2020, 230 million people were able to access Verizon's 5G, or fifth-generation, dynamic spectrum sharing (DSS) technology network;[13] by 2022, 200 million people were covered by Verizon's 5G Ultra Wideband network.[14][15]
Apps[edit]
Verizon Wireless offers certain applications and services that are exclusive to its subscribers. Many of these apps are pre-loaded on Verizon devices—primarily Android smartphones. The company has received criticism for this practice, as users and critics have viewed the applications to be "bloatware" that are sometimes redundant to applications already included with the device's operating system.[86][87][88]
The NFL Mobile app allows Verizon Wireless subscribers to stream National Football League games and NFL Network on their devices. While previously a subscription-based service, NFL Mobile was made free to all subscribers beginning in the 2015 NFL season. As part of an exclusivity agreement with the NFL, only Verizon Wireless subscribers could stream NFL telecasts to devices with screens 7 inches (18 cm) or less in size. This contract ended after the 2017 NFL season;[89][90][91][92] Verizon agreed to a new five-year, non-exclusive digital rights agreement, which removes the device class exclusivity, and focuses more upon distributing its streams and other enhanced digital content via its portfolio of internet media brands, rather than being exclusive to Verizon Wireless subscribers.[93][89]
As part of a deal that also granted the carrier title sponsorship of the series, Verizon subscribers also have access to exclusive streaming content within the official IndyCar Series app.[94]
The My Verizon app is used for account management, including checking usage statistics and managing the user's service plan and account features.[95][96][97] Verizon Cloud, which allows photos, videos, contacts, messages and call logs to be synchronized online, was released in April 2013 initially for Android phones,[98] followed the next month by a launch for iOS.[98][99] Verizon Messages, otherwise known as Message+, is an alternative text messaging app that additionally allows messages to be synchronized between multiple devices.[100] VZ Navigator is a subscription-based maps and navigation service which provides turn-by-turn navigation, crowdsourced traffic data, weather, events and entertainment listings, gas prices, roadside assistance, 2D and 3D views.[101] The Verizon Support & Protection app provides technical support services, lost device location, and on Android, antivirus functionality.[102]
Verizon Family Locator is a subscription-based service and app can be used to track the locations of family members on a map for up to 10 devices.[103][104] Verizon Family Base allows parents to restrict when and how their children use their phones, view their children's contacts and lock the devices.[104][105] Verizon also offers the GizmoPal, a wristband-worn phone for children that is restricted to only placing or receiving calls from one of two designated caregivers, and has GPS tracking.[106][107]
Other Verizon Wireless apps include Field Force Manager, which allows employers to manage employees with GPS, management timesheets and oversee travel,[108] Visual Voice Mail[109] and Roadside Assistance.[110][111]
The LTE in Rural America Program (or LRA program), introduced in May 2010, covers 2.7 million potential users over 225,000 square miles (580,000 km2) in 169 rural counties.[11] Under this program, partners lease spectrum from Verizon Wireless and connect to the company's network, and Verizon provides technical support and resources to help the rural wireless company build out its own 4G LTE network. The program extends the footprint of 4G LTE coverage for both the rural carrier and Verizon, as customers can take advantage of both networks.[119] As of 2015, all LRA members have fully rolled out their 4G LTE networks.
Carriers who participated in the program are: