Bell Atlantic was a major telecommunications company in the United States, formed in 1984 as a result of the breakup of AT&T. It provided local telephone services in several states, primarily in the Mid-Atlantic region, and was known for its role in the development of modern telecommunications infrastructure. In 2000, Bell Atlantic merged with GTE to create Verizon Communications, one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world. This merger expanded its services to include wireless communications, internet services, and digital television, significantly shaping the telecommunications landscape in the U.S.