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ROCKVILLE, Md., Sept. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Residents of Montgomery County are a significant step closer to choice and competition for their subscription television service, as Verizon and county officials have reached agreement on a franchise that will authorize Verizon to offer its fiber-powered FiOS TV to county residents.
The 15-year agreement must be approved by the Montgomery County Council. Verizon -- the only company building a large-scale, all-digital fiber communications network directly to customers' homes -- has been upgrading its Montgomery County network since late 2004. The company's fiber facilities will pass about half the households in the county by the end of this year. If the council approves the agreement, Verizon plans to begin offering FiOS TV to these households by early next year. The agreement also includes an aggressive timetable for further deployment in the county.
"This is fantastic news for Montgomery County residents, who have endured the unrelenting price hikes and indifferent service of their incumbent cable provider far too long," said William R. Roberts, president of Verizon Maryland. "FiOS TV will deliver more channels, superior quality and better value than Comcast's service in Montgomery County."
Before the franchise agreement becomes effective, the county must make it available for public comment, and the Montgomery County Council must approve it.
"We're eager to work with the council to bring this matter to conclusion so that Verizon can bring the many benefits of choice and competition to Montgomery County residents as quickly as possible," said Roberts.
The company and the county reached the agreement with the assistance of a mediator, U.S. Magistrate Judge James K. Bredar, who was appointed by the U.S. District Court in Baltimore after Verizon filed a lawsuit against Montgomery County asking the court to require the county to negotiate a lawful franchise with the company. Verizon and Montgomery County have agreed to stay Verizon's lawsuit until the county council votes on the agreement. If the agreement is approved, the case will be dismissed.
The franchise agreement is available for viewing at http://www.verizon.com/maryland or on Montgomery County's Web site.
ROCKVILLE, Md., Sept. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Residents of Montgomery County are a significant step closer to choice and competition for their subscription television service, as Verizon and county officials have reached agreement on a franchise that will authorize Verizon to offer its fiber-powered FiOS TV to county residents.
The 15-year agreement must be approved by the Montgomery County Council. Verizon -- the only company building a large-scale, all-digital fiber communications network directly to customers' homes -- has been upgrading its Montgomery County network since late 2004. The company's fiber facilities will pass about half the households in the county by the end of this year. If the council approves the agreement, Verizon plans to begin offering FiOS TV to these households by early next year. The agreement also includes an aggressive timetable for further deployment in the county.
"This is fantastic news for Montgomery County residents, who have endured the unrelenting price hikes and indifferent service of their incumbent cable provider far too long," said William R. Roberts, president of Verizon Maryland. "FiOS TV will deliver more channels, superior quality and better value than Comcast's service in Montgomery County."
Before the franchise agreement becomes effective, the county must make it available for public comment, and the Montgomery County Council must approve it.
"We're eager to work with the council to bring this matter to conclusion so that Verizon can bring the many benefits of choice and competition to Montgomery County residents as quickly as possible," said Roberts.
The company and the county reached the agreement with the assistance of a mediator, U.S. Magistrate Judge James K. Bredar, who was appointed by the U.S. District Court in Baltimore after Verizon filed a lawsuit against Montgomery County asking the court to require the county to negotiate a lawful franchise with the company. Verizon and Montgomery County have agreed to stay Verizon's lawsuit until the county council votes on the agreement. If the agreement is approved, the case will be dismissed.
The franchise agreement is available for viewing at http://www.verizon.com/maryland or on Montgomery County's Web site.
