Exhibit 12

Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

Verizon Communications Inc. and Subsidiaries

(Dollars in Millions)	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004
Income before provision for income taxes, discontinued operations and cumulative effect of accounting change	$	6,809
Minority interest		1,835
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated businesses		(635	)
Dividends from unconsolidated businesses		148
Interest expense		1,809
Portion of rent expense representing interest		334
Amortization of capitalized interest		79
Income, as adjusted	$	10,379
Fixed charges:
Interest expense	$	1,809
Portion of rent expense representing interest		334
Capitalized interest		115
Preferred stock dividend requirement		6
Fixed charges	$	2,264
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges		4.58