WESTWOOD, N.J. -- After a yearlong delay, Verizon Communications Inc., the state's dominant phone carrier, said Wednesday it will install a fiber-optic network for residential and business customers in 70 New Jersey towns by the end of the year.

The network in at least 24 of the towns will be installed and operating by the new year, with the rest coming on line within several months after that, an executive said.

The network will allow Verizon to begin offering television services, putting it in competition with cable providers. The fiber-optic network also will provide faster Internet service than Verizon's DSL system, and improved voice service. Story Continues @ newsday.com