Verizon FiOS, occasionally branded as fios by verizon, is a bundled Internet access, telephone, and television service that operates over a fiber-optic communications network to over 5 million people in nine states. The name, FiOS, is an acronym for Fiber Optic Service. Service is offered in some areas of the United States by Verizon Communications, while Frontier Communications operates licensed FiOS services in former Verizon territories across six states, using a nearly identical network infrastructure. Fios service began in 2005, and networked areas expanded through 2010, although some areas do not have service or cannot receive TV and phone service because of franchise agreements.