Consumers Win as New York PSC Rejects Cablevision's Attempt to Thwart Competition |
ALBANY, N.Y., June 15 /PRNewswire/ -- The New York Public Service
Commission today rejected a petition from Cablevision and the Cable
Telecommunications Association of New York Inc. aimed at frustrating consumer
choice for better voice, data and video services.
"This is a victory for New York consumers," said Paul A. Crotty, president
of Verizon New York/Connecticut. "The cable-TV industry, led by Cablevision,
failed in this transparent attempt to deny New Yorkers faster, better
broadband services and the promise of future choice for TV programming."
Verizon is upgrading its network in New York to link individual homes and
businesses with fiber connections. The all-fiber network, called FTTP
(fiber-to-the-premises), provides crystal-clear voice and ultra-fast Internet
access services, and also has the capacity to offer a full suite of video
services in competition with cable-TV providers.
Cablevision and other cable-TV providers in the state filed their petition
earlier this year claiming Verizon should be forced to cease rolling out its
FTTP network until it had obtained local franchise agreements for offering
cable-TV services.
In rejecting cable TV's argument, the PSC concluded that today's decision
promotes investment in advanced technologies in New York and creates
opportunities for increased competition and consumer choice for voice, data
and, eventually, video services.
"Verizon is building a broadband future for New York," Crotty said. "Our
all-fiber network is bringing greater choice, competition and innovation to
the marketplace."
Many New Yorkers are already learning the advantages of Verizon's
fiber-based, Internet access services, called FiOS. "Even though we've only
just begun marketing our FiOS services, we've been very pleased with the
initial consumer interest," Crotty added. "We also know consumers are looking
forward to another choice for cable TV."
Verizon has indicated it will not offer cable service in a selected
community until a franchise has been obtained. While Verizon seeks video
franchises from localities where it is upgrading its network, consumers in
those communities will have the benefit of enhanced voice and ultra-fast
Internet services offered over the all-fiber network.
"The vast majority of communities have welcomed this exciting upgrade of
our existing network," Crotty said. "They understand that an all-fiber
network offers their constituents exciting new options for voice and data, as
well as the ability to also provide a full suite of video services. We look
forward to working with public officials at all levels to bring consumer
choice and new economic development opportunities to our state."
With more than $71 billion in annual revenues, Verizon Communications Inc.
(NYSE: VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services.
Verizon has a diverse work force of 212,000 in four business units: Domestic
Telecom provides customers based in 28 states with wireline and other
telecommunications services, including broadband. Verizon Wireless owns and
operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 45.5 million
voice and data customers across the United States. Information Services
operates directory publishing businesses and provides electronic commerce
services. International includes wireline and wireless operations and
investments, primarily in the Americas and Europe. For more information,
visit http://www.verizon.com.
VERIZON'S ONLINE NEWS CENTER: Verizon news releases, executive speeches
and biographies, media contacts, high quality video and images, and other
information are available at Verizon's News Center on the World Wide Web at
http://www.verizon.com/news. To receive news releases by e-mail, visit the
News Center and register for customized automatic delivery of Verizon news
releases.
SOURCE Verizon
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