Verizon blames NYC landlords for FiOS shortfall

As Speed Matters reported last February, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio complained that Verizon has failed to fulfill its promise to wire the whole city for FiOS.

Last week, The New York World published a partial defense of Verizon. According to The World, Verizon may be remiss, but hundreds of the city’s landlords are impeding FiOS buildout. Said The World:
 
“So far this year, the telecommunications giant has filed petitions with state regulators alleging that owners of 219 buildings in the five boroughs housing 26,000 apartments have prevented crews from coming in to wire the premises. Those follow similar complaints Verizon made regarding 144 buildings in 2013.”
 
Under the terms of the city contract, Verizon has until this June to finish laying fiber citywide. But, apparently, the city is willing to cut the company some slack.  Peter Schwab, executive director of franchise administration for the New York City Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications, said, “Based on the current information provided, we believe the FiOS build will still be completed in 2014.”

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio rags on FiOS (Speed Matters, Feb. 26, 2014)

Verizon: Landlords block way to FiOS (The New York World, Mar. 27, 2014)
 
Verizon claims NYC landlords are stunting FiOS rollouts (FierceTelecom, Mar. 28, 2014)