The past few weeks we've been exploring how Verizon's FiOS deployment is grinding to a halt for some, specifically right outside the city lines of places like Alexandria, Virginia and Baltimore, Maryland. Places that were once promised deployment are now on hold indefinitely, as Verizon tries to market to existing deployment markets and waits to see if they can get some taxpayer funding for FiOS. Verizon hasn't responded to requests for comment on how much of of their DSL base won't get FiOS, but Verizon's Bill Kula addresses the deployment halt somewhat over at their Verizon at Home Blog.

"You may have seen some recent discussion about Verizon’s deployment of our all fiber-optic network, and I wanted to set the record straight for our At Home readers," says Kula, who apparently reads Broadband Reports. "As we move forward this year, we’re focusing on building our fiber-based network and increasing FiOS availability in those areas where we already have video franchises in place," says Kula.

That of course means cities like New York, Philadelphia and Washington DC where Verizon has recently signed citywide franchise agreements. Except as many of those cities will find out in a few years, their agreements with Verizon (usually hashed out in private with city leaders) include find print that allows Verizon to back out of 100% citywide deployment promises if Verizon doesn't see certain television service adoption rates.

You'll note that Kula doesn't really deny that Verizon has put the brakes on deployments elsewhere, though he tries to comfort Verizon readers by insisting that FiOS may still come to "towns and villages near you." Well, as long as your market signed a franchise agreement (which Verizon is no longer negotiating anywhere), and you don't live in places like Baltimore or Alexandria.

On the positive side, Kula reminds readers that FiOS should pass (again, that doesn't always mean serve) about 18 million premises by the end of this year, and Verizon is now the nation's eighth biggest TV provider. This year's urban push to 18 million homes passed should bring them to about 60% of their total customer base. That other 40% is starting to get curious about what's going to happen to them, and may have to wait a while to get their answer.