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                                  UNITED STATES

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT


     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


                         Date of Report: August 21, 2002
                        (Date of earliest event reported)


                           VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



                                                                            
               Delaware                                     1-8606                            23-2259884
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)      (Commission File Number)      (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

1095 Avenue of the Americas,
New York, New York                                                                              10036
(Address of principal executive offices)                                                      (Zip Code)



       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (212) 395-2121



                                 Not applicable
          (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)


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Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(c)      Exhibits.

         12     Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.



                                    SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


                                              Verizon Communications Inc.
                                        ---------------------------------------
                                                    (Registrant)

Date:    August 21, 2002                         /s/ John F. Killian
      ----------------------            ---------------------------------------
                                        John F. Killian
                                        Senior Vice President and Controller





                                  EXHIBIT INDEX



Exhibit
Number       Description
-------      -----------
          
12           Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.