Verizon Communications Inc. continues to make inroads as a cable TV competitor along the Eastern Seaboard.
The New York Public Service Commission and the Board of Selectmen in Nahant, Mass., both have approved video franchises for the carrier.
The New York commission retains the authority to review franchise agreements between local governments and cable service providers to make sure the agreements abide by state rules and regulations. Members said last week they had reviewed, and confirmed, the approval of video franchises in the Long Island village of East Rockaway and the Westchester County community of Greenburgh.
East Rockaway granted its franchise to Verizon Communications on Sept. 18; Greenburgh did the same on Sept. 27. Throughout the year, Verizon has racked up a number of franchises as states and municipalities changed their laws to allow telcos to offer cable TV. Verizon’s product is the fiber-optic-based FiOS TV. The carrier already serves residents in parts of the Long Island communities of Massapequa Park, Cedarhurst, Laurel Hollow, Lynbrook, Mineola, the Town of Hempstead and the Town of Oyster Bay, as well as the Rockland County communities of Nyack, South Nyack, Upper Nyack, Grandview-on-Hudson and Clarkstown.
Meanwhile, approval in Nahant brings to 23 the number of Massachusetts communities where Verizon now is licensed to offer FiOS TV service. Verizon said it is lobbying more than 30 other Massachusetts communities for franchise approvals.
The Bell company already serves parts of California, Florida, Maryland, New York, Texas and Virginia.
Verizon Communications Inc. www.verizon.com
