Verizon Wins Franchise in Major New York Market
By Linda Haugsted 4/10/2006
Over the protests of Cablevision Systems Corp. and community groups backing the incumbent, Verizon Communications Inc. has obtained a franchise in the heart of the cable operator's Long Island, N.Y., home base.
The town of Hempstead — about 20 miles east of New York City, with about 759,000 residents — approved April 4 a 10-year franchise for Verizon, becoming by far the largest U.S. community to open its door to the telco's FiOS TV service.
The Hempstead agreement must be vetted and approved by state utility regulators, which could take two months.
Verizon earlier gained franchise agreements in Massapequa Park, also on Long Island, and in smaller suburbs South Nyack and Nyack in Rockland County, N.Y.
By Linda Haugsted 4/10/2006
Over the protests of Cablevision Systems Corp. and community groups backing the incumbent, Verizon Communications Inc. has obtained a franchise in the heart of the cable operator's Long Island, N.Y., home base.
The town of Hempstead — about 20 miles east of New York City, with about 759,000 residents — approved April 4 a 10-year franchise for Verizon, becoming by far the largest U.S. community to open its door to the telco's FiOS TV service.
The Hempstead agreement must be vetted and approved by state utility regulators, which could take two months.
Verizon earlier gained franchise agreements in Massapequa Park, also on Long Island, and in smaller suburbs South Nyack and Nyack in Rockland County, N.Y.
