Verizon's agreement to purchase MCI, the last of the major independent long distance carriers, continues the drastic changes that are being made to the communications landscape. Once deregulated for competition purposes, the reunion of local and long distance carriers now comes at a time of greater choice and competition in the communications sector. New technologies, such as Wireless, VoIP, and cable telephony have made the industry more competitive, subsequently drawing market share and influence away from traditional telephone companies.