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story category FiOSTV Coming to NYC
15-year franchise agreement negotiated in secret...
(old news - 01:00PM Wednesday Oct 03 2007)
tags: Video · Fiber · competition · business · cable
Verizon has been conducting conversations with NYC leaders in secret, and are poised to strike a 15-year franchise agreement that could bring FiOSTV to the city, notes the NY Daily News. The paper complains that the secret negotiations leaves locals (and the city council) completely unsure if the deal includes any consumer protections:
Mayor Bloomberg's aides have conducted all the Verizon talks in virtual secrecy. They refuse to share their strategy with the City Council, which authorized the franchise talks in a resolution last year. "People keep calling me and asking, 'When are we getting a Verizon deal?' I tell them, I have no idea," said City Councilman Tony Avella (D-Queens), who heads the city's Franchise and Concessions Committee. Avella says he has tried for 18 months to schedule a City Council public hearing on the cable contracts, but Speaker Christine Quinn, who has built a close relationship with City Hall, has blocked his efforts.
The bit also mentions that NY State is looking into a statewide video franchise, but are including some consumer protections (including network neutrality) that Verizon isn't particularly fond of.

Related:
  1. Optimum Online Vs. Fios
  2. Beating Cable in Customer Satisfaction Is No Achievement
  3. Local TV Stations Fight FCC Localism Proposals
  4. Verizon In No Rush To Go Pure IPTV
  5. Time Warner Cable: Don't Go 'Willy Nilly' Putting Stuff Online
  6. Cox: DOCSIS 3.0 Upgrades By Third Quarter
  7. Time Warner Cable Stock Takes FiOS Hit
  8. Verizon Hides Their Video Troubles
Forums » FiOSTV Coming to NYC
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Post a:
jammmin

join:2000-12-14
Upper Marlboro, MD

Great

Cablevision and Timewarner should be very nervous now.

Great news.
permalink · 2007-10-03 13:02:50 · Reply to this
okie11

join:2003-11-20

Re: Great

yea right. Fios will be just like them in no time.
permalink · 2007-10-03 13:12:23 · Reply to this
SB7785

join:2007-08-15
South Richmond Hill, NY
edit:
October 3rd, @01:25PM
 At least if FIOS is here, we'll have a CHOICE. A choice, is better than no choice.
permalink · 2007-10-03 13:22:35 · Reply to this

S_engineer

join:2007-05-16
Chicago, IL

Re: Great

Choice from Verizon.....no choice if they rip out your coax (that will be next after copper).
--
Burn a tire, but make sure you buy that carbon offset!
permalink · 2007-10-03 13:45:31 · Reply to this
Cod

join:2000-07-05
Greensboro, NC

Re: Great

said by S_engineer See Profile :

Choice from Verizon.....no choice if they rip out your coax (that will be next after copper).
They can't touch the cable co's coax and they reuse the existing coax inside homeowners dwellings...
permalink · 2007-10-03 14:25:56 · Reply to this

Quake110

join:2003-12-20
Ottawa, ON		 Ripping the coax means lawsuit from the cable company.
permalink · 2007-10-03 17:51:32 · Reply to this

Oh Great

@faulding-us.com		 After taking the fiber, there is no way to go back to Copper ! Verizon's offer !
permalink · 2007-10-11 17:55:37 · Reply to this

woody7
Premium
join:2000-10-13
Torrance, CA
·DSL EXTREME

remember........

Anything done in a back room/secrecy can be of no good especially to consumers. I don't care what side of the aisle you are on. Yes, you might think it is in your interest, but if you read the fine print it isn't. And to contrary belief...government oversight isn't always bad.JMT

Just remember if Verizon had the consumers interest at heart, they wouldn't be doing it in the (dark) pardon the pun
--
BlooMe
permalink · 2007-10-03 13:17:07 · Print · Reply to this
jammmin

join:2000-12-14
Upper Marlboro, MD

Re: remember........

said by woody7 See Profile :

Anything done in a back room/secrecy can be of no good especially to consumers. I don't care what side of the aisle you are on. Yes, you might think it is in your interest, but if you read the fine print it isn't. And to contrary belief...government oversight isn't always bad.JMT

Just remember if Verizon had the consumers interest at heart, they wouldn't be doing it in the (dark) pardon the pun
FIOS done in the dark is better than no FIOS at all. Consumers will have a choice of FIOS, cablevision, Dishnetwork, Directv. If they don't like FIOS, they can always switch.
permalink · 2007-10-03 13:19:58 · Print · Reply to this
jester121

join:2003-08-09
Lake Zurich, IL

Re: remember........

DO you think you'd be happy with 15/2 and limited HD streams FOR THE NEXT FIFTEEN YEARS?

These backroom deals are exactly how citizens end up with their futures tied to crappy agreements that should never had been approved.
permalink · 2007-10-03 14:19:04 · Reply to this
Cod

join:2000-07-05
Greensboro, NC

Re: remember........

said by jester121 See Profile :

DO you think you'd be happy with 15/2 and limited HD streams FOR THE NEXT FIFTEEN YEARS?

These backroom deals are exactly how citizens end up with their futures tied to crappy agreements that should never had been approved.
Then stick with your current choices: cable or satellite. How is adding a 3rd competitor anything but good? If you don't like Verizon, don't use 'em. Simple.

PS- what on earth does a franchise agreement have to do with speeds Verizon offers?
permalink · 2007-10-03 14:28:45 · Print · Reply to this

Vathral
Premium
join:2002-08-26
New York, NY
clubs:
·Earthlink Cable Mo..
said by jester121 See Profile :

DO you think you'd be happy with 15/2 and limited HD streams FOR THE NEXT FIFTEEN YEARS?

These backroom deals are exactly how citizens end up with their futures tied to crappy agreements that should never had been approved.
I actually would be. TW has been that crappy, can't get any worse.
permalink · 2007-10-03 15:10:59 · Reply to this

pnh102
Reptiles Are Cuddly And Pretty
Premium
join:2002-05-02
Mount Airy, MD
·Comcast
said by woody7 See Profile :

Anything done in a back room/secrecy can be of no good especially to consumers.
So don't get it if you feel this way.
--
Only SHATNER is Kirk.
permalink · 2007-10-03 13:51:39 · Reply to this

woody7
Premium
join:2000-10-13
Torrance, CA
·DSL EXTREME

Re: remember........

said by pnh102 See Profile :

said by woody7 See Profile :

Anything done in a back room/secrecy can be of no good especially to consumers.
So don't get it if you feel this way.
I live in Torrence,CA....the ONLY cable co is TW,no choice there, I live in ATT (Territory) not Vorizon, no choice there
(I have DishNetwork for tv).
What would you suggest I do for a choice, other than the DSL I have? What is wrong with negotiating out in the open? Yea the guvment non oversight sux, but atleast we have an informed idea of how we got to, or why we have what we have. I would be happy to have more than one cable co., or phone co. All these deals and negotiations in private or the dark are why we are where we are. Peace
--
BlooMe
permalink · 2007-10-03 15:24:26 · Print · Reply to this

en102
Canadian, eh?

join:2001-01-26
Valencia, CA
·RoadRunner Cable
·DSL EXTREME
·DSL EXTREME

edit:
October 3rd, @03:53PM

Re: remember........

Private negotiations can lead to many good or bad things...
Verizon comes in with a suit case... mayor leaves with a suitcase... you end up with Verizon calling the shots, and a rich Mayor. Just remember what happened with PA and Verizon Fiber
--
Canada = Hollywood North
permalink · 2007-10-03 15:52:54 · Reply to this

KCrimson
Sailing The Seas Of Cheese
Premium
join:2001-02-25
Brooklyn, NY
·Verizon FIOS
·Optimum Online
said by woody7 See Profile :

Anything done in a back room/secrecy can be of no good especially to consumers. I don't care what side of the aisle you are on. Yes, you might think it is in your interest, but if you read the fine print it isn't. And to contrary belief...government oversight isn't always bad.JMT

Just remember if Verizon had the consumers interest at heart, they wouldn't be doing it in the (dark) pardon the pun
... all the more reason why the politicians should have NO part in it. Let the market decide who's being fair. The reason why Verizon would rather deal with a few people in the dark rather than the mass of political scum is that the more people who are invited to the "negotiations" the more the process becomes what EVERY city contract becomes - a boondagle of politics and special interests. Everyone has their own "special interest" that's going to help their constituents.
Let the mayor decide what's best for the entire city and not allow a single politician from preventing the rest of the city from receiving the benefit of a competitive marketplace.
.. Or perhaps you want to return to the days of the 1970s thru the 1980's - you know ... the TWO DECADES it took for the city to decide which companies should be awarded the contracts to provide cable TV to the outer boroughs. Despite all their gerimeandering, the business marketplace won out. The city council set up some home-grown companies that were quickly bought-up (fattening the wallets of insiders like Percy Sutton - a Manhattan politician who partially owned one of the smaller franchises) by today's larger companies. Lets not play that game again, and lets use market sensibilities.
permalink · 2007-10-03 14:44:12 · Print · Reply to this
grandpinaple

join:2006-01-03
New York, NY

 Bloomberg is worth like 4 billion dollars he doesn't need Verizon's pennies. The backroom negotiations were probably done to avoid cableco meddling. 15/2 would be better than anything Roadrunner has come up with so far. Not that their service is shoddy, just that they need to raise the upload.
permalink · 2007-10-03 19:40:36 · Reply to this
jammmin

join:2000-12-14
Upper Marlboro, MD

fios

Most of the NE Bronx, parts of Queens, Brooklyn and Manhattan and 90% of Staten Island already has FIOS internet.

Once the franchise deal is approved for the city, Verizon should be able to FIOS TV very quickly.

Alot of MDU's in the NE Bronx are already wired for FIOS.

My brother lives in a 10 story MDU in the NE Bronx and they already has FIOS internet to each apartment.
permalink · 2007-10-03 13:18:26 · Reply to this

Julio
Bachatero y Que?
Premium
join:2003-03-19
Brooklyn, NY
clubs:

Re: fios

Really, I live in Brooklyng and I don't have FIOS.
permalink · 2007-10-03 14:09:56 · Reply to this
Cod

join:2000-07-05
Greensboro, NC

Re: fios

said by Julio See Profile :

Really, I live in Brooklyng and I don't have FIOS.
He said "parts". Apparently you aren't in one of the parts that does have FIOS...
permalink · 2007-10-03 14:30:14 · Reply to this

sheik28
Premium
join:2000-10-15
New York, NY		 Not even 1 part of Manhattan has FiOS... unless you consider 1 building "parts".
permalink · 2007-10-03 16:41:13 · Reply to this
CopperMux

join:2005-01-18
·Comcast
·Verizon Online DSL
·Verizon BroadbandA..

edit:
October 3rd, @05:21PM

Re: fios

said by sheik28 See Profile :

Not even 1 part of Manhattan has FiOS... unless you consider 1 building "parts".
LOL, perhaps you might want to check your facts. FIOS is up and running in numerous areas of Manhattan. Big and small buildings.
permalink · 2007-10-03 17:20:51 · Reply to this

sheik28
Premium
join:2000-10-15
New York, NY
edit:
October 3rd, @05:24PM

Re: fios

Show me.
permalink · 2007-10-03 17:24:17 · Reply to this
CopperMux

join:2005-01-18

Re: fios

Unless I walk you into various buildings, I cannot exactly show you. However, it is up and running in far more than 1 building.
permalink · 2007-10-03 17:28:33 · Reply to this

Pathfinder
Dazed Confused
Premium
join:2000-03-26
Mount Vernon, NY		 Definitely in more than one building and more being wired as we speak. I know it is live in the E56th CO, W50th CO,Varick St. CO, W18th CO and East 97th CO.
There are more I am sure but I would have to make some calls to find out.
permalink · 2007-10-03 17:32:03 · Reply to this

sheik28
Premium
join:2000-10-15
New York, NY
·1and1
·Packet8

 CopperMux See Profile and Pathfinder See Profile Thanks to both of you. Last I had known it was only live in The Octagon.
I am in 10010, 26th and 3rd and waiting patiently for it. I have not seen anything in the forums but I guess I wasn't watching close enough.
If I was ever happy to be wrong...it is now.
Checked the site to order and it says it is available in my area but I need to call (online ordering is not available). Does anyone have a definite answer or do I need to call to find out?
--
There is no such thing as a stupid question, and yes, the camel types.
permalink · 2007-10-03 17:42:45 · Print · Reply to this

Pathfinder
Dazed Confused
Premium
join:2000-03-26
Mount Vernon, NY

Re: fios

You would have to call. It is being done building by building.
permalink · 2007-10-03 18:03:50 · Reply to this
SB7785

join:2007-08-15
South Richmond Hill, NY

Bye Bye TWC

The day FIOS comes to me, I'll drop TWC like a bad habit and never pick it back up.
permalink · 2007-10-03 13:24:47 · Reply to this

ztmike
1kwikgt
Premium
join:2001-08-02

FiOS

The day FiOS reaches Chicago or nw Indiana ill probably die of a heart attack.

Give Comcast some fight.
permalink · 2007-10-03 13:32:50 · Reply to this
dan991199

join:2007-10-01
St Catharines, ON		 god i wish Canada had something similar to FiOS
permalink · 2007-10-03 13:50:16 · Reply to this
jammmin

join:2000-12-14
Upper Marlboro, MD

Re: FiOS

said by dan991199 See Profile :

god i wish Canada had something similar to FiOS
Isn't Verizon one of the local phone companies in some parts of Canada?
permalink · 2007-10-03 15:33:42 · Reply to this

en102
Canadian, eh?

join:2001-01-26
Valencia, CA
·RoadRunner Cable
·DSL EXTREME
·DSL EXTREME

Re: FiOS

Hell NO.
Bell Canada / Telebec / Sasktel / ON Tel / TBayTel / Aliant / NWTel / MTS / Telus and a few smaller ones are in Canada.
Verizon is strickly a U.S. beast. Bell Canada isn't exactly the best, but from my dealings (both personal and business) with Verizon, I'd stick with Bell Canada.
--
Canada = Hollywood North
permalink · 2007-10-03 15:58:44 · Reply to this

en102
Canadian, eh?

join:2001-01-26
Valencia, CA		 They do... in St. Kitts its called Cogeco.
--
Canada = Hollywood North
permalink · 2007-10-03 15:55:06 · Reply to this
jester121

join:2003-08-09
Lake Zurich, IL
·ViaTalk

 Doesn't NY have a Sunshine or Open Meetings law? Even corrupt ole Illinois has that as a speed bump to politicians running rough shod over the rights of citizens.

(Sometimes it even works!)
permalink · 2007-10-03 14:20:52 · Reply to this

serge666

join:2004-06-07
Little Falls, NJ		 YEAY! NY get's FiOS.....what about West Paterson?? >:/
permalink · 2007-10-03 15:06:45 · Reply to this
Cogdis

join:2007-03-26
Floral Park, NY		 The secrecy isn't good, but I can care less as long as I'm rid of Time Warner!!
$200/mo for TV+internet is redunkulous, so one way or another Verizon is an improvement.
permalink · 2007-10-03 15:29:27 · Reply to this

en102
Canadian, eh?

join:2001-01-26
Valencia, CA

Re: w00!

$200 /month for TV + HSI !!!

I pay less than that for TV / DSL / POTS Unlimited and Wireless on 2 lines.
--
Canada = Hollywood North
permalink · 2007-10-03 16:00:28 · Reply to this

v35_pilot
Whoops, there goes another AMU
Premium
join:2005-12-12
Fayetteville, NY
·ViaTalk
·Sprint Mobile Broa..
·Verizon FIOS

 As an upstate NY FIOS Internet customer I have been waiting for some type of FIOS video franchise, be it local or statewide, for two years now.

Sadly I don't see a local one ever being awarded since Verizon has much bigger fish to fry, so HD via Dish Network it will have to be.
permalink · 2007-10-03 16:18:39 · Reply to this

edbo11703

@optonline.net

 That will never happen because each community wants a piece of the pie with franchise fees. Here in the Town of Babylon on LI, I understand that the town filed suit against Fios for installing equipment without a franchise agreement in place. I've noticed that parts of the town have fiber installed, but the service had not been activated. All surrounding towns have agreements in place. Here we are stuck with one cable provider, without any choice (other than satellite) while the town politicians drag their tails regarding the issue and do not communicate anything with its citizens.
permalink · 2007-10-03 18:37:11 · Print · Reply to this
ltjordan

join:2001-12-02
Hyattsville, MD		 In other words, Bloomberg got paid a lot of money to help Vz get past a few of those pesky "franchise laws."
permalink · 2007-10-03 18:44:52 · Reply to this

KCrimson
Sailing The Seas Of Cheese
Premium
join:2001-02-25
Brooklyn, NY

Re: Secret negotiations.

Yea, the man needed it. Get a grip on reality. He could have stayed with Bloomberg Inc and made much more money than he's SPENT in politics.
permalink · 2007-10-03 18:56:52 · Reply to this
tmc8080

join:2004-04-24
Floral Park, NY

 Well, we now know WHY time warner went up to 20/1...
Albeit, the wiring of Manhattan will take several years, but these are high density buildings with customers who can WELL afford FIOS rates. Something worth fighting over and getting a city-wide TV franchise ASAP. Verizon does not want time warner and cablevision privy to their expansion strategy, as condition to talk, has nothing to do with letting the public access as opposed to locking cable companies out of meddling. They have been successful in the past of throwing up obstacles.
Verizon's prices are at a premium, but for many.. the internet is considered a superior product. Ultimately, it's the consumers choice to subscribe, or not. Few buildings will give Verizon an exclusive deal, barring cable companies from competing. Many buildings are pre-wired for coax already. Now with bendable fiber, the ballgame has changed. Verizon can compete in high-density buildings where coax goes with virtually no powered amplifiers (passive optical networks). Cablevision knows how to compete, and we see it in the speeds/price offerings. Time Warner is the one who will see its customers poached if they do not change the pitiful product offerings, especially on the internet access. Very soon the majority of their NYC footprint will have a Verizon FIOS option, as most of the Cablevision footprint is nearing completion. Where else to expand?
permalink · 2007-10-03 18:48:47 · Print · Reply to this

Rob A
Jets 19 - Steelers 16
Premium
join:2005-01-17
Pompton Plains, NJ		 Been waiting way too long.
permalink · 2007-10-03 21:26:55 · Reply to this
Buglewe

join:2006-08-30
Brooklyn, NY		 I have been waiting for the day a franchise agreement come in place. I already dump cablevision for Directv. As soon as Fios TV is out I will be first in line to order and the first to dump directv. I just love competition.
permalink · 2007-10-03 21:41:57 · Reply to this

Billy 2007

@aol.com

 yes, I am happy for Verizon and wish them luck when they come, but as it looks I will be staying with TWC , where TWC has MSG, FSNY , SNY and YES in HD where Verizon does not, only offers SNY HD and YES HD. Also I don't think they "Local " Programming like seen on Time Warner Cable. Until Verizon can meet my requests , then I would be glad to go back with Verizon, but I cannot have them in the City, and not my Sports in HD. Also I read that Verizon wont have TBS HD, where TWC already has TBS HD.
permalink · 2007-10-04 14:59:50 · Reply to this
tmc8080

join:2004-04-24
Floral Park, NY

Re: FIOS , and TWC in NYC , HD RSN

said by Billy 2007 :

yes, I am happy for Verizon and wish them luck when they come, but as it looks I will be staying with TWC , where TWC has MSG, FSNY , SNY and YES in HD where Verizon does not, only offers SNY HD and YES HD. Also I don't think they "Local " Programming like seen on Time Warner Cable. Until Verizon can meet my requests , then I would be glad to go back with Verizon, but I cannot have them in the City, and not my Sports in HD. Also I read that Verizon wont have TBS HD, where TWC already has TBS HD.
You know what, your right... AND they charge at LEAST as much as the cable company does for nearly the same channel lineup.. and in some cases more. Verizon must do better, invest money in local content.. something their franchise agreements give them a "PASS" on for the time being, but does NOT help subscribers stay loyal customers when they see how bland the offering really is. You could also say the fancy new "GUIDE" is lipstick on a __G.
permalink · 2007-10-04 19:19:22 · Print · Reply to this
Buglewe

join:2006-08-30
Brooklyn, NY
·Verizon FIOS
·Optimum Voice

 I compared Fios-TV with cablevision line-up and FIOS-TV offers a lot more channels. Well I am really not a sports fan so I could care less. You get more for your money from fIOS-TV than cablevision. I looked up TWC channel offering and they offered more than Cablevision so I guess those with TWC would have a harder time to switch to Fios-TV.
permalink · 2007-10-05 08:06:51 · Reply to this
Forums » FiOSTV Coming to NYC

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