SecProbe.io

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

       DIVISION OF
CORPORATION FINANCE

Mail Stop 3720
May 11, 2010
   Mr. Ivan G. Seidenberg Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Verizon Communications Inc. 140 West Street New York, NY 10007
 RE: Verizon Communications Inc.
Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2009
  Filed February 26, 2010
  Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A   Filed March 22, 2010   File No. 001-08606

Dear Mr. Seidenberg:
We have reviewed your filing and have the following comments.  Please address the
following comments in future filings.  Confirm in writing that you will do so and explain to us how you intend to comply.  If you disagree, we will consider your explanation as to why our comment is inapplicable or a future revision is unnecessary.  Please be as detailed as necessary in your explanation.  In some of our comments, we may ask you to provide us with information so we may better understand your disclosure.  After reviewing this information, we may or may not raise additional comments.   Please understand that the purpose of our review process is to assist you in your compliance with the applicable disclosure requirements and to enhance the overall disclosure in your filing.  We look forward to working with you in these respects.  We welcome any questions you may have about our comments or on any other aspect of our review.  Feel free to call us at the telephone numbers listed at the end of this letter.

Mr. Ivan G. Seidenberg
Verizon Communications Inc.
May 11, 2010 Page 2  Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2009

 Definitive Proxy Statement

 Election of Directors, page 11

1. We note your disclosure that outlines the “experience, qualifications, attributes and skills” the Board considered in nominating these individuals as directors of Verizon Communications.  However, your disclosure identifies the principal occupations and employment of each of your directors and the skills of only some of the individuals.  In addition, we note that you describe the relevant skills and experiences of your Board members as a whole, with more specific parenthetical references to individual directors.  In future filings, please expand your disclosure with respect to each director to specifically discuss what aspects of the individual’s experience led the board to conclude that the person should serve as a director for the company, as well as any other relevant qualifications, attributes or skills that were considered by the board.  See Item 401(e) of Regulation S-K.

*    *    *    *

Please respond to these comments through correspondence over EDGAR within 10
business days or tell us when you will provide us with a response.  Please furnish a letter that keys your responses to our comments and provides any requested information.  Detailed letters greatly facilitate our review.  Please understand that we may have additional comments after reviewing your responses to our comments.     We urge all persons who are responsible for the accuracy and adequacy of the disclosure in the filings reviewed by the staff to be certain that they have provided all information investors
require for an informed decision.  Since the company and its management are in possession of all facts relating to a company’s disclosure, they are responsible for the accuracy and adequacy of the disclosures they have made.

  In connection with responding to our comment, please provide, in writing, a statement from the company acknowledging that
• the company is responsible for the adequacy and accuracy of the disclosure in the filings;

• staff comments or changes to disclosure in  response to staff comments do not foreclose
the Commission from taking any action with respect to the filings; and

• the company may not assert staff comments as a defense in any proceeding initiated by the Commission or any person under the federal securities laws of the United States.

Mr. Ivan G. Seidenberg
Verizon Communications Inc. May 11, 2010 Page 3
In addition, please be advised that the Division of Enforcement has access to all
information you provide to the staff of the Division of Corporation Finance in our review of your filings or in response to our comments on your filings.
Please contact Scott Hodgdon, Attorney-Advisor, at (202) 551-3273, or me at (202) 551-
3810 with any questions.          S i n c e r e l y ,            L a r r y  S p i r g e l          A s s i s t a n t  D i r e c t o r