MTC changes name to Verizon

Today marks an important day for the employees and customers of Micronesian Telecommunications Corporation and GTE Pacifica, both in the CNMI and Guam as the telecommunications company launches its new corporate name — Verizon.

MTC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of former telecom giant GTE, which completed a merger with Bell Atlantic in August 2000. The merged companies formed a new company called Verizon, resulting in one of the largest telecom companies in the United States.

MTC and its subsidiary company GTE Pacifica’s launching of their Verizon identity today will come along an aggressive nationwide campaign which will also begin to air on Dec. 1, 2000.

MTC and GTE Pacifica will share the same brand name of Verizon, however, the legal entity names of each company will identify and separate the regulated telecommunications business of MTC, named Verizon Micronesia, from the non-regulated telecom services, GTE Pacifica named Verizon Pacifica.

In a recent interview, acting Sales & Marketing Manager Kerry Deets said “We are excited about the transition that our company has experienced over the past three years under the direction and leadership of General Manager David M. Rogers.

Ms. Deets explained that Mr. Rogers has inspired employees to “give their all to the company as we streamline our business operations, improve service and gear up for difficult economic times.”

The primary objective of the new Verizon company is to become easy to do business with, she said.

“I believe the internal changes that have taken place over the past three years will allow us to meet this challenge. The name change provides us an excellent opportunity to present a new face to the communities we serve,” she added.

When asked what benefits are in store for the public, Ms. Deets explained that since Verizon Micronesia and Verizon Pacifica are wholly owned, international properties of Verizon, the product offerings in the CNMI and Guam will vary from the product offerings advertised nationwide in the U.S.

Nevertheless, Ms. Deets is confident that the aggressive campaign planned for 2001 will please the customers. “We have a number of fantastic promotions in store for our customers beginning with the launching of our text messaging service.”

The company is able to offer text messaging features to its digital cellular subscribers through the assistance of operators at 682-TEXT (8398) and its partner www.web2mobil.com. The text messaging service will be offered to digital subscribers free of charge during an introductory period of one month, starting from Dec. 1 to Dec. 31, 2000.