The density of NYC makes it a no brainer. I believe there are fines involved if they don't hold the commitment.
The agreements are drawn up so that if Verizon doesn't see certain take rates, they can essentially drag out the deadline indefinitely. The fine penalties for missing these deadlines also erode over time, so by 2013 if Verizon doesn't want to wire -- say a big chunk of the Bronx, they have
plenty of options.