Verizon Communications (VZ)

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

On January 1, 2009, we adopted the accounting standard relating to business combinations, including assets acquired and liabilities assumed arising from contingencies. This standard requires the use of the acquisition method of accounting, defines the acquirer, establishes the acquisition date and applies to all transactions and other events in which one entity obtains control over one or more other businesses. Upon our adoption of this standard, we were required to expense certain transaction costs and related fees associated with business combinations that were previously capitalized. In addition, with the adoption of this standard, changes to valuation allowances for acquired deferred income tax assets and adjustments to unrecognized tax benefits acquired generally are to be recognized as adjustments to income tax expense rather than goodwill.

The adoption of the following accounting standards and updates during 2009 did not result in a significant impact to our consolidated financial statements:

On January 1, 2009, we adopted the accounting standard relating to disclosures about derivative instruments and hedging activities, which requires additional disclosures that include how and why an entity uses derivatives, how these instruments and the related hedged items are accounted for and how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect the entity’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

On January 1, 2009, we adopted the accounting standard that modifies the determination of the useful life of intangible assets from a requirement to consider whether an intangible asset can be renewed without substantial cost or material modifications to the existing terms and conditions to one that requires an entity consider its own historical experience in renewing similar arrangements, or a consideration of market participant assumptions in the absence of historical experience. This standard also requires disclosure of information that enables users of financial statements to assess the extent to which the expected future cash flows associated with the asset are affected by the entity’s intent and ability to renew or extend the arrangements.

On June 15, 2009, we prospectively adopted the accounting standard regarding the accounting for, and disclosure of, events that occur after the balance sheet date but before the financial statements are issued.

On June 15, 2009, we adopted the accounting standard that amends the requirements for disclosures about fair value of financial instruments for annual, as well as interim, reporting periods. This standard was effective prospectively for all interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009.

On June 15, 2009, we prospectively adopted the accounting standard that amends requirements for recognizing and measuring other-than-temporary impairment of debt securities classified as held to maturity or available for sale. The presentation and disclosure requirements apply to both debt and equity securities.

On June 15, 2009, we prospectively adopted the accounting standard regarding estimating fair value measurements when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability has significantly decreased, which also provides guidance for identifying transactions that are not orderly.

On August 28, 2009, we adopted the accounting standard update regarding the measurement of liabilities at fair value. This standard update provides techniques to use in measuring fair value of a liability in circumstances in which a quoted price in an active market for the identical liability is not readily available.

In December 2008, the accounting standard regarding employers’ disclosures about postretirement benefit plan assets was updated to require us, as a plan sponsor, to provide disclosures about plan assets, including categories of plan assets, the nature of concentrations of risk and disclosures about fair value measurements of plan assets, which became effective as of December 31, 2009.