Verizon Announces $70m Investment In Nationwide AI Upskilling Initiative With “Verizon AI Skills For America''
At a glance Pairing top training with localized support: This nationwide initiative pairs top-tier AI training from leading organizations like IBM, Google, Anthropic, Microsoft, Coursera, and OpenAI, with high-touch, localized support from community nonprofits active in workforce development efforts.Creating a future-ready workforce to strengthen the U.S. economy: Verizon is committed to expanding access to AI fluency training resources to American workers because creating an AI-ready workforce is vital to
When Disaster Strikes, Verizon Employees Step Up To Help Communities In Need
For 26 years, Chad Myers has helped Verizon customers stay connected. The Maryland native specializes in transport engineering and planning, managing the local networks that are essential for communities and businesses. Myers is one of thousands of V Teamers nationwide dedicated to maintaining critical infrastructure, but now he is taking that commitment to a whole new level. Myers recently joined the Verizon Disaster Response Corps, a newly formed volunteer initiative that deploys trained Verizon
AI Is Rewriting The Disaster Preparedness & Response Playbook
In my more than 20 years in the wireless industry and more than a decade dedicated to public safety communications, I have watched the definition of a “natural disaster” shift dramatically. For the more than 45,000 public safety agencies that rely on Verizon Frontline, the scale and complexity of these events are reaching unprecedented levels. To meet this escalating challenge, we can no longer afford to simply react to disasters after they strike. We must anticipate them. This is where artificial
Switch To Verizon And Get The New Iphone 18 Pro Now
Switch to Verizon and get the new iPhone 18 Pro now. No trade-in needed. And get the latest iPhone every year with Simplicity.No activation or upgrade fees when you enroll in Verizon Loyalty.Cash back in Verizon Dollars just for being a customer, plus exclusive daily drops and epic experiences with Verizon Shine.Preorders for iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4 and AirPods 5 start September 12 (8am ET). iPhone Duo is available to pre-order starting on Friday, October
Verizon Combines Tech, Readiness And Grants For Complete Disaster Relief
As natural disasters become more frequent, evidenced by recent weather across the country, communities are left increasingly vulnerable. Verizon is meeting this challenge holistically by combining long-term resilience investments with immediate aid. By deploying specialized connectivity fleets, awarding targeted community grants, and preparing communities before disaster, Verizon is on the scene when needed most. On the frontlines Built on the philosophy that Verizon runs to a crisis, the Verizon
Verizon And Corning Announce Multi-Year, Multi-Billion Dollar Supply Agreement For Broadband Expansion
To meet surging demand for consumer broadband and converged services alongside emerging AI needs, Verizon and Corning have reached a multi-billion dollar agreement for 80+ million miles of high-density optical fiber and connectivity solutions from 2027 to 2032. The multi-use fiber deployment will accelerate broadband expansion for homes and businesses while building the national long-haul backbone required by AI hyperscalers. “Securing this volume of fiber allows us to continue building the
Verizon Business Ranked #1 in Customer Satisfaction by JD Power for Large Enterprise & Medium Business Internet Service
Evolving artificial intelligence initiatives and real-time data tools are placing unprecedented strain on customer networks, challenging industry-wide satisfaction metrics for large enterprises. Amidst this growing complexity, Verizon Business has answered the call, unseating a multi-year incumbent to claim the #1 ranking in customer satisfaction for both Large Enterprises and Medium Business segments in the JD Power 2026 U.S. Business Internet Satisfaction Study℠.¹ According to the study,
How To Use AI To Brainstorm Screen-Free Activities For Kids
Many parents have reservations about AI. I’ve found that, when used thoughtfully, it can become a practical parenting tool. For example, I think of AI as an assistant I’ve hired to brainstorm ideas. It never replaces my judgment—I always get the final say. But it helps me spend less time planning and more time with my children. Here’s how I do it.Use AI to inspire experiences, not replace them. The developing brain thrives on experiences that engage multiple senses. Parents can use AI to help plan and
How To Limit Screen Time And Find A Healthy Balance For Young Gamers
I’ve been playing video games for over three decades and have turned that hobby into a writing career. I remember the clashes I’d have with my own parents back in the day, ranging from how long I could play to what games I could play. Fun fact: They’d keep my consoles plugged into an outlet controlled by a light switch on the wall, so if I wasn’t listening to them, my progress was lost with a single flip. What I (and my parents) didn’t know then was that there is science to explain what kept me glued to
Total Wireless Expands Western Union Partnership Nationwide Across Retail Stores
Total Wireless today announced an expanded partnership with Western Union, bringing a suite of Western Union’s financial services to the Total Wireless retail footprint nationwide. Services begin in select stores today and will expand to additional Total Wireless locations across the country through the end of 2026, giving communities greater access to money transfers, bill pay and money orders at participating locations. Eligible Total Wireless customers on MAX 5G BYO, MAX 5G and ALL ACCESS plans
Verizon Simplicity meets Google AI: Preorder the Pixel 11 series today
Preorders for the Google Pixel 11 series begin August 12 on Verizon’s Simplicity Plan and business options, bringing Google’s most advanced AI-powered lineup to the network you trust. Verizon’s latest wireless plan is simple, transparent and built around what customers actually need, with no activation or upgrade fees though Verizon Loyalty. By pairing Google’s cutting-edge hardware with our straightforward Simplicity Plan, users get our best 5G access, clear monthly value and flexibility without
Can A Disconnected Phone Number Bring Back The Past?
In an age of automated responses, what drives someone to share a story of gratitude? It takes more than just satisfaction. It takes a moment of genuine relief, care, or what we like to call, delight. Our latest story highlights Verizon representative Nate Fletcher, who shattered expectations by preserving a family’s cherished memory. When Julie’s father passed away, she lost her last connection to him—the phone number that dated back to 1978 when her family home was first built. Nate worked
The Simple Guide To A Better Backyard Movie Night
There’s just something fun about watching a movie outside on a warm summer night. With a portable projector and a few lawn chairs, your backyard can easily become your favorite place to watch a film. But getting a clear picture and reliable stream outdoors takes a little more planning than watching from the couch. Wi-Fi can weaken once you move beyond your walls, ambient light can wash out the screen, and sound can disappear in open air. A few quick checks before guests arrive can help you spend
4 Ways Parents Can Adapt To Phone-Free Schools
As we head into the school year, many parents are adjusting to a different kind of day. According to research conducted by Phones in Focus, a nonpartisan initiative that studies school phone policies, found that 74% of schools in its national sample had bell-to-bell phone bans during the 2025–2026 school year, up from 60% the year before. This can mean a big change for parents, but Michelle Icard—parenting expert and author of several parenting books, including “8 Setbacks That Can Make Your Child a
Verizon Launches Exclusive Back-To-School Deals
Getting your family tech-ready for the classroom shouldn’t break the bank or cause unnecessary stress. As the new school year approaches, Verizon is taking the guesswork out of back-to-school prep by making essential tech easy and affordable. From simple plans that fit your budget to exclusive savings on the latest devices, Verizon is offering big deals and built-in digital safety tools to give parents peace of mind.Essential back-to-school deals only from Verizon Gizmo Watch 4: New and existing
A Tampa Family Finds Peace Under A New, Hurricane-Ready Roof
When Hurricane Milton tore through Tampa, Florida, on October 9, 2024, Michelle watched as floodwaters destroyed everything in her home—including clothes, furniture, and bedding—and shattered her sense of security. “That was the scariest moment of my life,” Michelle says. Although it wasn’t in a flood zone, water cascaded throughout her parents’ house, where Michelle was living with her sons and granddaughter. The family survived the storm but the house was uninhabitable. They bounced between a
A Busy Parent Guide To Students Using A!
“Just ask your phone.” My 10-year-old son says this whenever a question comes up and I don’t have an immediate answer for something like how long it will take to get somewhere or whether I should let him play a new video game. As a professor of instructional technology raising three kids, I understand why. Artificial intelligence (AI) now powers many of the tools kids use every day, from search engines and virtual assistants to chatbots and homework help. However, learning how to use these tools
Meet The Gizmo Watch 4: Verizon’s New Kid-Friendly Smartwatch
Verizon today announced the launch of the new Gizmo Watch 4, expanding the Verizon Family ecosystem. Designed to give parents and guardians peace of mind, the newest kid-friendly smartwatch introduces next-level safety features, like Watch Removal Detection alerts, real-time location insights, and real-time severe weather notifications (coming soon) to keep families connected and protected. Starting today, customers can get the Gizmo Watch 4 for free with a new line, avoid activation fees with Verizon
Florida Residents Rebuild After Devastating Hurricane Floods
In fall 2024, Hurricanes Helene and Milton struck Florida just two weeks apart. The storms overwhelmed households already stretched thin, leaving many people at risk of losing their homes. To support long-term recovery in the Tampa Bay area, Verizon Community Disaster Resilience, an initiative that helps communities prepare for, respond to and recover from extreme weather events, provided a generous grant to Rebuilding Together Greater Florida (RTGFL), a nonprofit organization that provides free, critical
Boutique Optician Sees Revenue Grow 20% With Smarter Business Moves
Destynee Turner became an optician because she loves helping people see. But growing The Optical Experience, her boutique optical shop in West Palm Beach, Florida, demanded business skills no opticianry program taught her. A local business group led Turner to an in-person Verizon Small Business Digital Ready event where she learned more about the program and its online platform. The program’s events and courses gave her new strategies to tackle her biggest challenge: working too hard in her business, not
The 60-20-60 Rule Every Family Should Know Before A Family Road Trip With Teens
Family road trips give teens a chance to do something different: take a brain break. The time in the car can offer a hard pause from the group chats and location check-ins long enough to be a helpful reset. But long drives can also overload teens faster than many parents realize if the boundaries aren’t clear. Too much scrolling and sitting still can leave teens mentally drained, emotionally reactive or completely checked out when the drive is over. And because a teen’s brain is still learning how to
Verizon’s Ready To Keep You Connected As A Potential Tropical Storm Forms In The Gulf; Offers Tips To Prepare
With tropical storm watches now in place for portions of the Gulf Coast, Verizon is reassuring residents, businesses, and first responders that its network and emergency response teams are ready to maintain critical connectivity. As part of its year-round preparation, Verizon builds a highly resilient network ecosystem utilizing built-in backup power, redundant fiber routes, and hardened infrastructure. In addition, nearly 3,000 mobile assets—including portable cell sites, mobile command centers,
Everything You Need To Know About How Verizon Is Breaking The Industry Mold
Today, Verizon announced it's breaking the industry mold to put customers first by replacing complexity and friction with simplicity and true customer choice. With a new loyalty program and two new simple plans, Verizon is putting customers first. You may have some questions around Verizon’s announcement today. Here’s what you need to know. Verizon SimplicityA straightforward mobile plan with Verizon’s best 5G network for everyone, no network tiers and optional bundles.Verizon
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Orlando Soccer Celebration: A Summer-Long World Cup Fan Experience
As Orlando prepares to welcome visitors and soccer fans from around the world this summer, Orlando City SC and Orlando Pride are excited to invite your members, constituents and community networks to take part in the Orlando Soccer Celebration presented by Verizon — a free, festival-style fan experience taking place at Pointe Orlando from June 11 through July 19.During the FIFA World Cup 2026™, Orlando Soccer Celebration will transform Pointe Orlando into the ultimate soccer destination in Central Florida,
Co-Parenting? Here’s How To Create Healthier Digital Boundaries Across Two Homes
“Mom lets me use my phone at night. Why can’t I here?” If you’re co-parenting, you’ve likely heard some version of this, and it rarely leads to a simple answer. One household allows late-night scrolling. The other says phones get turned off at 9. One parent says yes to social media. The other isn’t ready. In these situations, the child is caught in the middle and parents are left wondering: Am I being too strict, or not strict enough? As a parenting coach who works with families navigating divorce and
In The Eye Of The Storm: Reliability When It Matters Most
When Hurricane Helene made landfall in September 2024, it served as a stark reminder of nature’s power, especially its capacity to take down not only infrastructure but also crucial connectivity. At Verizon, we believe your phone is more than a device; it’s a lifeline—your flashlight, your map, and your fastest path to help. While we prepare year-round to restore connectivity in the most challenging conditions, the best time to secure your family’s safety is before the sky turns grey.Crisis
4 Questions Parents Can Ask Their Kids About Ai In Social Media
Any child with access to social media has likely experienced an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot. Some well-known examples: Meta has an AI assistant that will show you how to change a tire or help you lose weight. Snapchat’s My AI buddy will explain a science topic in a simple way, or toss out some birthday gift ideas for a friend. For most families, the first interactions with these AI chatbots in social media are pretty harmless—like asking a chatbot to write silly song lyrics. Children quickly
How Smart Home Tech Can Simplify Your Family Routine
Increasingly, families are using smart home devices to make routines that feel calmer and a little more predictable. According to a 2026 survey from the average American household has 11 connected devices, so the tech to create smarter routines is already there. Smart lighting is in 24% of homes, smart speakers in 36% and video doorbells in nearly 39% of households. So how does smart tech ease the family routine? The smartest setups aren’t the most complicated. They just quietly take away those parts of
Verizon Announces A Massive Ticket Drop For FIFA World Cup 2026
The countdown is reaching a fever pitch. Today Verizon, the Official Telecommunication Services Sponsor for FIFA World Cup 2026™, announced its largest free ticket giveaway for Verizon customers to secure free seats at the world’s biggest sporting event. To mark the occasion, Verizon is debuting a brand new commercial featuring David Beckham, who returns to show fans how Verizon is the only way to get “Ultimate Access” to the tournament. “At Verizon, we’re obsessed with giving our customers access and
Explore the Central Florida Zoo After Dark with Flashlight Safari
ooking for a unique summer experience without the scorching daytime temperatures? Discoverthe Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens when the sun goes down during Flashlight Safari, presented by Verizon. Join us on June 20 and experience the sights and sounds of the Zoo at night during this exciting nocturnal adventure featuring a guided flashlight tour. The evening begins with check-in at 7:30 p.m. inside the Discovery Center, where guestswill have the opportunity to get up close with
Verizon Champions The Innovators Of Tomorrow, Names Winner Of Verizon Frontline App Developer Challenge
Continuing a decades-long commitment to driving innovation in public safety, emergency response and community resilience, Verizon today announced the winner of its first-ever Verizon Frontline App Developer Challenge. The competition, launched last year on National First Responders Day, was designed to identify next-generation mobile applications built to help first responders achieve their missions more safely and efficiently. The challenge culminated with a special event at the New York Stock
AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon Plan To Launch New Joint Venture That Helps End Dead Zones
AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon have an agreement in principle to form a new JV which aims to help end wireless dead zones in the U.S., including in rural areas, by pooling limited spectrum resources to increase capacity, improve the customer experience, and help satellite providers reach more customers through a unified platform. The JV remains subject to negotiating definitive agreements between the parties and satisfying customary closing conditions. Collectively, satellite services function as
Verizon Unveils Digital Twin Technology And Expanded Satellite Fleet In Preparation For The 2026 Hurricane Season
As the June 1 start of the 2026 hurricane season approaches, Verizon is taking a massive leap forward in disaster response and recovery. Recognizing that the hours following a landfalling storm are the most critical for the safety and well being of our communities, Verizon is introducing a suite of technological innovations designed to restore connectivity faster and more safely than ever before. “In an emergency, every second counts. Whether it’s a family checking in on a loved one or a first
Verizon launches the “Verizon Small Business Super Pitch” competition with soccer star Carli Lloyd
In addition to giving fans unmatched access to the highly anticipated FIFA World Cup 2026™, this summer Verizon is also serving up a different kind of pitch—A Super Pitch. The Verizon Small Business Super Pitch competition will offer small business owners across the country the chance to win a grant and a complimentary trip to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Final at New York New Jersey Stadium. To be eligible, business owners must be registered for Small Business Digital Ready and complete at least one
