SubscribeCharter Communications is going to have some major competition in the Massachusetts city of Groton over the next year as city officials signed a 15-year franchise agreement with Verizon Communications to bring the fiber-to-the-home service to area residents.
Verizon promised to introduce FiOS service to area residents immediately, with a build out to nearby communities taking place over a four year period. The deal brings competitive choice to Groton, which until now has relied exclusively on Charter Cable for cable television service.
Verizon agreed to spend $112,500 to outfit four locations with broadcast equipment and provide three public access channels. Equipment will be installed at the Town Hall for local government coverage, the local public library, the middle school Performing Arts Center and a nearby senior center. The franchise fee will be 4.2% of local earnings and a 50 cent fee per subscriber per year, all paid to Groton’s local government.
The loudest complaint came from one resident who wanted to know why service might not be immediately available on his street. He told local officials Charter had the “worst service” on his street and wanted the Verizon alternative immediately.
“The loudest complaint came from one resident who wanted to know why service might not be immediately available on his street. He told local officials Charter had the “worst service” on his street and wanted the Verizon alternative immediately.”
Tell me again why we can’t have it.
As I remember it there was some ‘back door’ deal between Frontier and other telco’s that said they won’t move into area’s run by the other. Go free market… wait; what?
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I thought Groton has already (I live in Groton) has had FIOS for a few years. I remember going to their site and putting in a 448 number for it verify and it said yes it was available.
Though, I can’t get it, probably because I live in on the Westford/Groton line and the first three numbers of my phone number are for a Westford telephone switching station. Does this mean I will be able to now?
A simple phone call should solve the mystery. Web based and people based will often have conflicting answers but with a real person you have them more on the hook. Just get names.