Verizon FiOS: get ready for a public hearing, Baltimore-style
It seems the resentment with Verizon continues to build in Baltimore as a city council member (Bill Cole) is calling for a public hearing next week to air out the reasons why the telecom company isn't installing its next-generation FiOS network in the city.
Cole and other critics of the company say Verizon has avoided the city while expanding the network in counties around Baltimore, and putting profits over fairness. Verizon, on the other hand, points to other cities it has and has not built the network in and said they're following a long-term growth plan. Plus, they argue, they never said they wouldn't roll it out in Baltimore. They're just not doing it in the near future.
Telecom companies are probably going to come under increasing fire to expand their networks in a way that's perceived as fair by the public, as the notion of broadband equality takes hold. The FCC has made expansion of higher-capacity broadband a major part of its 10-year plan to improve the nation's internet infrastructure.
So, if you're in Baltimore and want to speak your views on Verizon's lack of FiOS in Baltimore, head to City Hall at 5 p.m. this Wednesday to make your case. City councilmembers and Verizon officials will be there to listen.
Comments
Why would anyone think the residents of Baltimore somehow have a right to FiOS that is more important than the right of Verizon to decide what products to offer to which customers when?
This is a waste of taxpayer money and city resources. How about we focus on fixing the budget?
Posted by: Paul | April 22, 2010 9:18 AM
Sounds like it's time for the city to start researching municipal fiber. The government has been handing out money to Verizon and other companies to help them build their networks, but apparently not enough of that money is going towards said networks. Perhaps its time to stop waiting for companies like Verizon to lay the fiber and start doing it yourself.
Posted by: BigDragon | April 22, 2010 12:15 PM
What is the point of all this? I mean will the City Council yank Verizon's phone monopoly if they don't give us FIOS?
I agree with BigDragon though Baltimore would be better off exploring municipal fiber.
Actually I'd bet that if Baltimore decided to deploy a municipal fiber, Verizon would be prompt in law suits to delay it while they quickly deployed FIOS in the city.
Posted by: Paul | April 22, 2010 8:02 PM
municipal can work, however I will say that its currently preventing Paducah, KY from getting a boost to our broadband. The power company put down the investment for fiber here and comcast wants to use it. They can't reach an agreement for leasing and so we will be stuck with a max speed of 8 mb/s for a long time. I wish fios would creep this way.
Posted by: SpicyCupcake | May 3, 2010 9:43 AM