Verizon Wireless will pay a $10 billion dividend early next year to its stakeholders Vodafone Group Plc and Verizon Communications.

According to the statement Vodafone will be paid $4.5 billion, or $1 billion less than the amount the British company's chief financial officer, Andy Halford, had said he expected as recently as June 30.

The payouts will be made on the basis of the stake owned by each parent company. 45% share belongs to Vodafone while the rest is owned by Verizon Communications.

Vodafone has not received a payout from Verizon Wireless since 2005, in large part because Verizon has focused on paying down debt.