Verizon today completed its $130-billion deal to take over all of British cellphone carrier Verizon Wireless.

New York-based Verizon Communications Inc. has said that owning all of its wireless unit would give it greater flexibility to invest in new technologies.

It acquired the 45 per cent stake in its wireless division from Vodafone Group PLC, issuing about 1.27 billion shares of common stock to Verizon’s shareholders.

Both companies’ shareholders approved the transaction last month.