In the most competitive local phone market in the country, Verizon has seen its Rhode Island customer base shrink, especially with the emergence of Cox as a phone service provider in 2000.

However, Verizon is seeking permission from the Rhode Island Division of Public Utilities (DPUC) to offer its fiber optic (FiOS) TV and has already launched in some service areas. The entrance of Verizon into the cable market will give customers more choice and allow Verizon to directly compete with all-in-one internet/phone/cable packages.

Rhode Island is now the 11th state with FiOS TV.

Verizon Communications Inc., a Dow 30 company, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to...over 60 million customers nationwide.

Verizon Communications Inc., based in New York and incorporated in Delaware, was formed on June 30, 2000, with the merger of Bell Atlantic Corp. and GTE Corp. Verizon began trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the VZ symbol on Monday, July 3, 2000.

Operating throughout the United States, Verizon has over 250,000 employees and 140.3 million land lines in service.