Verizon Wireless to Offer AOL Internet Service

Verizon Wireless Inc., the largest U.S. mobile-telephone company, has agreed to offer wireless e-mail and Internet access from AOL Time Warner Inc.’s America Online to get callers to use their phones more.

All Verizon Wireless customers with Web-capable digital phones can get news, driving directions and local entertainment information from America Online services including MapQuest and Moviefone.

Mobile-phone companies want customers to use their phones for more than conversation to boost the number of minutes they use.

Services such as e-mail and movie ticket purchasing are intended to be incentives because wireless subscriber growth is slowing as the share of Americans with cell phones approaches 50%.