Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Verizon hearts suburbs

As you might already know, the Boston Metro has a regular feature where people write in to Mayor Menino.

On March 6, there was a letter about Verizon's FiOS fiber optic cable/internet service and why we in Boston (or Cambridge or other big city in the metro area) are bombarded with ads about it, but can't actually get the service. Turns out its because we aren't in the suburbs.

Menino:

Thank you for this question. My Office of Cable Communications monitors cable TV franchises and mediates consumer issues regarding cable TV service. I have recently written to Verizon asking them to bring FiOS to the entire City of Boston. To date, Verizon has declined the City’s repeated encouragement to enter a cable franchise negotiation, opting instead to slowly build in the suburbs. Meanwhile, the cities and towns of Boston, Brookline, Somerville, Cambridge, Everett, Revere, Chelsea, Medford, Melrose, Watertown and Quincy are left without this service.

Verizon has said in the past that their business plans do not include urban areas, but how do they explain their FiOS builds in New York City and Washington, D.C.?


I don't know, man. However, I am glad that he gave a straight answer to a question that doesn't involve fixing a pothole, traffic signal or parking restriction enforcement. Damn those suburbs. First, they give us Mitt Romney (not really the first crappy thing the 495 belt gave us, but I've only been around here for 10 years) and now this. I want me some fast internet and a choice beyond DSL or craptastic Comcast cable for internet/tv.

Read here for original article

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