Verizon pushes FiOS service in Schen & Guilderland

[Skaggs]

The following article appeared in today's Times Union. Note the comment about a public hearing for the Town of Guilderland.

Cable fight heats up

Verizon pushes FiOS service in Schenectady to compete with Time Warner Cable

By LARRY RULISON, Times Union Business writer, February 24, 2011

SCHENECTADY — Verizon is quickly making Schenectady County ground zero for the rollout of its FiOS TV service that competes with Time Warner Cable.

The village of Scotia was the first local municipality to strike a cable TV franchise deal with the New York City telecommunications giant.

And now Schenectady is poised to be the first major city in the region where FiOS TV will be available.

The Schenectady City Council will hold a public hearing on the plan Monday and could approve a franchise during its meeting that night. After approval of the franchise by the state Public Service Commission, Verizon would be able to start selling cable TV in the city, along with its FiOS Internet and phone products, which are currently available only in certain parts of the Capital Region.

“Competition is good,” said Chuck Steiner, president of The Chamber of Schenectady County. “The fact that they have chosen Schenectady County is very good for us as a community. It offers another option.”

Time Warner has had a virtual monopoly on cable TV service and in most cases is the only company holding cable TV franchises in local municipalities.

But several years ago Verizon began building its FiOS network to compete with local cable companies in the Northeast. It has slowly been negotiating franchises across the state, a process that is painstaking and also expensive because the agreements usually require Verizon to build out its system to the majority of citizens in a town or city within several years.

Verizon has also targeted Albany County — although not Albany city — and has gotten franchise agreements from the town of Bethlehem and the village of Colonie.

The towns of Guilderland and Colonie are next in line. The Guilderland town board will hold a public hearing Tuesday for the Verizon plan.
Guilderland Supervisor Ken Runion said the hearing was originally planned for earlier this month, but one of the recent snow storms prevented the necessary legal notice from being published on time.

Verizon spokesman John Bonomo said that discussions with the town of Colonie have progressed to the point that the town board is expected to discuss FiOS next month.

Bonomo has said that places like Bethlehem and Scotia that have already gotten PSC approval should see FiOS TV rolled out by the end of March. It’s likely, though, that places like Guilderland and Schenectady won’t get TV service until later in the spring, after the PSC approves their franchises as well.

Verizon hasn’t said how much FiOS TV will cost or how much its bundles of TV, Internet and phone will cost. However, Verizon is advertising its three-product bundle for under $85 a month on its website, which is less than Time War-ner’s current deal of $99 a month for new customers.

▶ Reach Larry Rulison at 454-5504 or at [e-mail].

[Skaggs]

Guilderland board approves FiOS service
Albany Times Union, Published 06:40 p.m., Wednesday, March 2, 2011

GUILDERLAND -- The Guilderland town board has approved a franchise for Verizon to offer its FiOS cable TV service to town residents.

The agreement now needs approval from the state Public Service Commission, although no vote by the PSC has been scheduled. Verizon would likely start offering the TV service soon after PSC approval.

Guilderland joins Bethlehem and the villages of Scotia and Colonie in approving FiOS TV. The Schenectady City Council could vote March 14 to approve a franchise as well.

-- Larry Rulison

[peekb]

Anyone know what the outcome of this was?

[Skaggs]

The meeting was scheduled to take place March 1st.

Here's a link to the Town of Guilderland Town Board agenda for March 1, 2011, which shows the Verizon FioS cable TV franchise agreement on at 7:30PM.

The meeting minutes have not been posted yet.

The video replays of the Town Board meetings are replayed on TWC channel 17 at the following times:

Playback Friday @ 1:00 PM and 7:30 PM
Playback Sunday @ 7:00 PM

[Skaggs]

From the March 1, 2011 Guilderland Town Board meeting minutes:

PUBLIC HEARINGS:
7:30 PM – Franchise Agreement by and between the Town of Guilderland and Verizon New York, Inc.

Town Clerk, Rosemary Centi, read the legal notice.

Rich Hillstrom, Franchising Manager and business lead, explained the move by Verizon to come into the area with fiber optics for cable service. Verizon already provides internet and phone service. The agreement will need to be confirmed by the New York Public Service Commission.

He thanked Supervisor Runion, and Town Attorney, Richard Sherwood for their considerable time spent in the negotiation process. He also thanked Tom Quaglieri, “What’s Happening Productions” and Nick Viscio, from the High School.

He read a statement reviewing the benefits of Verizon such as real cable competition, a dedicated government access channel from the High School and Town Hall and dedicated fiber cable running right to the home. Five percent of the revenue will come to the Town of Guilderland.

A competitively neutral PEG grant would be provided which would consist of two options, either a per subscriber, per month grant, equal to what Time Warner agrees to provide, not to exceed .5 per subscriber per month, or, if Time Warner opts not to provide a per sub per month grant, 25% of the total cash grant amount provided by Time Warner with a cap of $13,500.00.

The agreement also offers a 5% franchise fee paid quarterly to the Town and is based on a comprehensive definition of gross revenue.

Mr. Hillstrom stated that they already offered phone and internet; Verizon needed an agreement for cable TV service.

The agreement called for a 5-year build - out based on density. (The Franchise Agreement will be available in the Town Hall offices). This was exclusive of the Village of Altamont.

Sam Caldwell, 158 State Street, Verizon employee, responsible for government and external affairs for upstate New York, thanked the Board for their indulgence and asked that the Board approve the franchise.

He read a letter from Richard Connery asking that the Town approve the franchise agreement.

John Fogarty, attorney employed by Time Warner Cable, expressed his concern that there was an assurance of a “level playing field” and that the terms and benefits of the agreement were equitable.

He stated that given the timing of the agreement, Time Warner was committing to .5 per approach in support of PEG.

Councilman Grimm clarified that what was being asked was that every cable operator be treated the same way and that was .5 per subscriber.

Mr. Hillstrom stated that it was either one or the other and that he was glad that Time Warner agreed to the .5 per subscriber.

He read the two options that were offered in the agreement and clarified the intention of certain sections of the agreement.

A discussion followed regarding various sections of the agreement. Supervisor Runion discussed the .5 per subscriber section. He stated that the Town submitted to both Verizon and Time Warner what the anticipated needs would be for the PEG channel, which was a specific amount of money.

Both providers met with various people and found out what the legitimate needs would be for both the Town and the school district, and they agreed on a number that would be needed.

Councilwoman Slavick asked if there would be any discount for senior citizens and Mr. Hillstrom stated that Verizon did not discriminate and that there would not be a discount.

Further discussion was held regarding the agreement relative to the provisions for the PEG monies.

Marlene Jefferson, Guilderland resident and Verizon employee, read a letter from the Guilderland Chamber of Commerce expressing their encouragement for the franchise agreement. (P 26A) John Vandenberg, Veeder Road, spoke on the benefits of Verizon and requested that the Board approve the agreement.

Supervisor Runion explained that the agreement was for cable television and not the Internet.

Matt Schewe, Drawbridge Dr., stated that he welcomed the competition and the ability to have an option rather than a monopoly.

Bill Stuart, Meadowdale Road, also stated that he welcomed the choice. He did not feel that it was a “level playing field” between Verizon and Time Warner Cable right now.

Jose Moore, Abelman Avenue, stated that he was an employee of Verizon and was for choice and competition.

Tom Moran, Newcastle Road, asked how long the build would – out take and would it include the whole Town.

Supervisor Runion stated that it was his understanding it would be to the whole Town that falls within a certain density level similar to the Time Warner franchise agreement.

He further stated that there was a five year build-out for the Town exclusive of the Village of Altamont.

Levidia Lugo, French’s Mill Road, Verizon employee, stated that it would be good to have a choice and to see great technology. She thanked the Board for allowing this to happen.

MOTION #44 Councilman Redlich moved to CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON A FRANCHISE AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE TOWN OF GUILDERLAND AND VERIZON NEW YORK, INC.

Councilwoman Slavick seconded the motion and it
was carried by the following roll call vote:

Councilman Redlich Aye
Councilwoman Slavick Aye
Councilman Pastore Aye
Councilman Grimm Aye
Supervisor Runion Aye

MOTION #45 Councilman Redlich moved to AUTHORIZE THE SUPERVISOR TO SIGN A FRANCHISE AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE TOWN OF GUILDERLAND AND VERIZON NEW YORK, INC.

Resolved,
Awarding a cable television Franchise to Verizon New York, Inc. to provide cable service to the Town of Guilderland and approving a Cable Franchise Agreement with Verizon New York, Inc.

WHEREAS, Verizon New York, Inc. desires to use its’ network to provide cable television service in the Town of Guilderland and

WHEREAS, Verizon New York, Inc submitted a written application for a cable franchise to the Town on February 2, 2011 and

WHEREAS, due negotiations between the Town of Guilderland and Verizon New York, Inc. have resulted in a proposed “Cable Franchise Agreement” by and between the Town of Guilderland and Verizon New York, Inc., which proposed agreement was filed with Town Clerk of the Town of Guilderland on February 2, 2011, and

WHEREAS, on February 15, 2011, the Town Board scheduled a public hearing as required for March 1, 2011 at 7:30 PM to consider a Cable Franchise Agreement by and between the Town of Guilderland and Verizon New York, Inc., and

WHEREAS, said public hearing was legally noticed as required by law, and

WHEREAS, on this night, March 1, 2011 at Town Hall a public hearing was held on the proposed agreement,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Guilderland authorizes the award of non-exclusive franchise to Verizon New York, Inc. to own, construct, operate and maintain a cable system along the public rights -of – way within the Town of Guilderland in order to provide cable
service and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town Board authorizes the Town Supervisor to enter into the franchise agreement with Verizon New York, Inc. as attached and execute any and all documents necessary to effectuate the granting of the Franchise on behalf of the Town of Guilderland.

The foregoing resolution was presented for adoption by Councilman Redlich seconded by Councilwoman Slavick and approved by the following vote:

Ayes: Councilman Redlich, Councilwoman Slavick, Councilman Pastore, Councilman Grimm, Supervisor Runion

Noes: None

Dated: March 1, 2011

[Skaggs]

PSC approves Verizon’s plan to bring TV to Guilderland
March 18, 2011 at 5:36 pm by Eric Anderson, Albany Times Union

The state Public Service Commission has approved Verizon’s proposal to provide cable TV programming over its FiOS fiber optic network to customers in Guilderland. The appoval clears the way for Verizon to introduce the service. The Guilderland town board has already approved the franchise agreement that will allow Verizon to offer the cable TV service in addition to phone and Internet service.

Verizon already has received all necessary approvals to offer cable TV service in Scotia, the Village of Colonie, and Bethlehem. The Schenectady City Council has approved the franchise agreement, but Verizon is awaiting PSC approval there.

Verizon spokesman John Bonomo said the company has been working to get ready for the rollout and that it previously had said it would offer the cable TV service in the first quarter of this year. With the end of the quarter just 12 days away, customers likely will be hearing something from Verizon soon.

“We’ll make an announcement when we’re open for business,” Bonomo said Friday afternoon.

[Chris Miller]

I'm betting on that announcement being at the end of this week.

[Skaggs]

In what areas of Guilderland can you get FiOS internet and TV?

I've punched in my address and those of several surround subdivisions on the Verizon website, only to reveal that it is not available.

[Chris Miller]

Apr 6, 2011 9:45:01 GMT -5 Skaggs said:

In what areas of Guilderland can you get FiOS internet and TV?

I've punched in my address and those of several surround subdivisions on the Verizon website, only to reveal that it is not available.

Are there any parts of Guilderland that already have access to FiOS Internet? That's who will get wired first. At the Bethlehem meeting, Verizon discussed a 60 month schedule for the roll out, but we already had 65% coverage for FiOS.

Unfortunately, you will not get a specific answer from VZ about the roll out dates and locations. If they publish that information, TWC would blanket those areas and try to lock in the customers with 1 to 2 year contracts. The VZ spokesperson actually said that at the Bethlehem meeting.

If you see a VZ truck installing anything in Guilderland, stop and talk the technician. If anyone would know the schedule, it's going to be that guy. I had a VZ guy come out any check a break in phone line a few weeks ago. He was the one that told me that they would be taking FiOS TV orders around March 25th. He was close, I placed my order on the 24th.

Also, when you start get calls from TWC to upgrade or lock in your service, you'll know that fiber optic cable is heading closer to you. I have a friend in Schenectady who has TWC and FiOS Internet and he's noticed that he's getting more calls from TWC.

[Skaggs]

I found a subdivision behind Hewitt's on Route 20 that I was able to successfully enter on the FiOS website to get pricing details. It seems to be an "older" neighborhood. The younger developments near my house (less than 15 years old) in the western part of the town are not coming up as having FiOS available.

[Chris Miller]

Apr 6, 2011 10:11:40 GMT -5 Skaggs said:

I found a subdivision behind Hewitt's on Route 20 that I was able to successfully enter on the FiOS website to get pricing details. It seems to be an "older" neighborhood. The younger developments near my house (less than 15 years old) in the western part of the town are not coming up as having FiOS available.

Verizon's geocoding database is seriously borked. If I enter in the house numbers for the houses on either side of me, it tells me that FiOS TV is not yet available. I need to tell my neighbor this as he's getting FiOS TV on the 21st

[the block]

Harmony Hill Apartments in Guilerland can get fios TV. I used to live there so I was curious if they could get it yet and I punched it in and they can get it.

[jkoch81]

Has anyone heard when Schenectady will start getting the FIOS TV service?

[whskytngofx]

Apr 21, 2011 8:40:30 GMT -5 jkoch81 said:

Has anyone heard when Schenectady will start getting the FIOS TV service?

The office is now open for orders in areas where FiOS is available. If you are not in one of those areas a timeline for buildout has not been released.

[rdf8585]

Has anyone in the city of Sch'dy gotten the FIOS triple play deal yet?