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Verizon Promises Pennsylvania Competition
Flashbacks to original state fiber deployment promises

We've long discussed how the state of Pennsylvania doled out millions to Verizon in tax relief and other perks for state-wide residential fiber deployment. When Verizon failed to hit deployment targets (50% fiber to residents by 2004), the well-lobbied state simply watered down the agreement and never held Verizon (or any Pennsylvania lawmaker) accountable.

Verizon is now pushing its "Cable Choice and Competition Act" in Pennsylvania with promises that if the state reforms the franchise system to their liking, the result, at least according to local press coverage, some politicians and Verizon, will be a competitive panacea. But will Fios really be deployed to the majority of state residents, many of whom were supposed to get comparable speeds years ago?


Most recommended from 38 comments



DaveDude
No Fear
join:1999-09-01
New Jersey

1 edit

2 recommendations

DaveDude

Member

Show them the door

I think the lawmakers should make verizon deliever for once, Tell them once they reach 51% buildout they will discuss the "Cable Choice and Competition Act" Otherwise, they can just keep whining.

Grail Knight

Premium Member
join:2003-05-31
Valhalla

2 recommendations

Grail Knight

Premium Member

Verizon and PA Politicians are full of crap.

The political party in Pa is all about money or how to make it for themselves and not follow though with promises to its citizens.

Verizon screwed PA for billions then the corrupt and/or stupid political party in Harrisburg wrote it all off instead of demanding the money be repaid.

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

2 recommendations

FFH5

Premium Member

Cable's whine that we had to; so you should too; is bogus

Cable had to jump thru hoops to get franchises for years. But that pretty much ended in 1999, when they were deregulated by federal law. Besides they have already wired almost every area they want to serve, so they have a vested interest in slowing down any new competition. It is not, however, in the consumers best interest to slow down competition.

And cable also gets to take advantage of these new statewide franchise laws. So, going foreword, they are not at an unfair disadvantage to the telcos.

And since the new law guarantees that localities still get their TAX in the form of franchise fees, the only things that localities lose is the ability of local politicians to squeeze out some payoffs and special deals for local firms owned and operated by the pols or their friends or relatives.

All in all, the new law is better for the consumers. And past incompetence by the PA PUC is no excuse to prevent going forward intelligently.