Buffalo Residents Protest Unequal Treatment From Verizon

On July 20, 2011, Buffalo NY residents testified at a Buffalo City Council meeting against Verizon discriminatory deployment of its high-speed broadband service. The giant telecom has brought state-of-the-art fiber optics — FiOS — to the suburbs of the Lake Erie city, but not to the city itself, despite lobbying by local leaders.

The protesting residents were members of Don't Bypass Buffalo — a coalition of labor (including CWA), community advocates, justice organizations, as well as clergy, business leaders and citizens. While Verizon defended the exclusion as a simple business decision, coalition members, "wondered why their whether Verizon's decision to not offer FiOS service in Buffalo was motivated by the diverse demographics of the city," according to the Buffalo News.

An earlier report from Don't Bypass Buffalo was even more direct:

"By not serving the people of Buffalo, Verizon has effectively created two classes of citizens within a single area, and has left people of color disproportionately on the wrong side of a digital divide. Bringing FiOS to Buffalo will allow the city to create and retain jobs, improve educational outcomes, and ensure that the very latest in medical technology is available to its citizens."

At a rally outside Verizon's Buffalo office last April, Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said that the city will not settle for second-class status. He said:

"I've talked to Verizon officials numerous times and I've made it clear that our residents want FiOS in the city of Buffalo. It will create more competition for cable subscribers, more job opportunities and economic development, and additional educational opportunities for our children."

Or as Don't Bypass Buffalo spokeswoman Janique Curry said "Verizon FiOS is critical for jobs and economic development," wrote Buffalo Business First.

Verizon urged to expand FiOs (Buffalo News)

Don't Bypass Buffalo

'Don't Bypass Buffalo' Campaign Presses Verizon to Install FiOs (CWA)

Verizon's FiOS Subject of Buffalo Meeting (Buffalo Business First)