ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - Verizon will soon end the mass distribution of business phone directories in New York state in another example of how the internet has changed daily life.
State utility regulators gave Verizon permission to cease the widespread distribution of business phone books on Thursday. Verizon is the state's largest phone company.
The move is intended to save money and eliminate wasted paper. Phone books will still be delivered upon a request by a customer.
The state allowed Verizon to end the mass delivery of residential directories in 2010, saving an estimated 13,600 tons of paper each year.
Verizon now makes listings available for free online. A spokesman for the company says Thursday the vast majority of people now use the internet to look up numbers.
