Readers of this space know that one of the preferred plays is a utility company with a demonstrated business model, solid balance sheet, ample cash, decent dividend, and with an extra revenue stream / business that could provide additional growth. Verizon is one such company.

Verizon is not your typical, former AT&T (NYSE: T) unit. Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) is a modern, diverse telecom provider for the early digital age.

Verizon has three impressive divisions: landline, wireless, and business services. And the numbers speak for themselves: the landline unit has an astounding 41.4 million subscribers in 28 states, Verizon Wireless is the U.S.'s second largest wireless provider, and business services is making inroads on medium/large enterprise customers and government agencies.

Further, the company's fiber optic broadband/video service, FiOS emerged as a competitor to comparable cable broadband/video services: look for VZ to continue to grab market share in key markets, as the service is rolled-out in the years ahead. The Reuters F2008/F2009 EPS consensus estimates for VZ are $2.65/$2.92.

This is not your typical, former AT&T (NYSE: T) unit. Verizon (NYSE: VZ) is a modern, diverse telecom provider for the early digital age.

Verizon has three impressive divisions: landline, wireless, and business services. And the numbers speak for themselves: landline has an astounding 42.3 million subscribers in 28 states, Verizon Wireless is the second largest wireless provider, and business services is making inroads on medium/large enterprise customers and government agencies.

Further, in 2006 the company's fiber optic broadband/video service, FiOS, emerged as a major competitor to comparable cable broadband/video services: look for VZ to continue to grab market share in key markets, as the service is rolled-out in the years ahead. The Reuters F2007/F2008 EPS consensus estimates for VZ are $2.37/$2.71.