FiOS service begins in Boston by year end

Verizon just signed a video franchise agreement with Boston, allowing the company to roll-out its FiOS service in selected neighborhoods, based on consumer demand. This franchise agreement follows the Google Fiber model, which lets the company build where there is consumer interest. Verizon has set up a website to record future customers.

Verizon has already built FiOS service to 25,000 households and has laid 160 miles of fiber. The company began to market its FiOS service in three Boston neighborhoods - Dorchester, Dudley Square, and West Roxbury, with plans to expand based on customer sign-ups.

In 2009, Verizon halted its FiOS expansion, despite significant demand and pleas from elected officials across its footprint – even telling the Boston City Council last year that it had no intention of bringing the all-fiber service to the city. But building FiOS was a major demand of the Verizon workers during their successful strike in the spring of 2016, and the company ultimately decided to bring FiOS to Boston and integrate it with next-generation 5G wireless deployment. 5G architecture changes the economics for FiOS deployment, leading Verizon to ink a six-year $300 million deal to build fiber throughout Boston.

FiOS expansion is good for Boston consumers seeking a competitive choice to cable. Verizon should expand to other East Coast cities: Buffalo, Albany, Syracuse, and Baltimore – among many others – are still waiting for their FiOS.

Links:

Verizon gets Boston cable TV license, plans to start installing FiOS by year end (FierceTelecom, Dec. 7, 2016)

Verizon strike gains strength, support from presidential candidates and elected officials (Speed Matters, Apr. 19, 2016)

Verizon plans to build FiOS in Boston (Speed Matters, June 13, 2016)