By The Associated Press

The three largest landline telephone providers in Florida – Verizon, AT&T and CenturyLink – lost one million customers in 2009.

That’s according to a report released over the weekend by the state Public Service Commission, which researches and regulates utilities.

The data show consumers may’ve been trying to save money during the recession by canceling services like wireline home phone accounts.

Cellular and Internet phone providers continued to gain customers, but the wireless growth rate is slowing.

The aging pay-phone industry fared worst of all. Officials say almost 18 percent of the state’s pay phones were removed in 2009, meaning there are now only 16,500 left.