Verizon Communications was formed through the merger of Bell Atlantic and GTE in 2000. It is the largest wireline and broadband carrier in the US and second largest wireless service provider. While Verizon has strong market positions, its financial ratios in 2003 showed leverage was high and profitability was low compared to industry averages, with declining sales, income, and dividend growth. Strategies were needed to improve profitability through revenue growth, cost reductions, and debt repayment.