Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) is just a mayor’s signature away from providing TV service to Philadelphia residents after its city council voted unanimously to provide the telco a video franchise for the major metro.
As part of the 15-year cable franchise included in the legislation, Verizon will make FiOS TV available throughout the city over the next seven years. The ordinance now moves to Mayor Michael Nutter for his signature into law.
Verizon has been focusing hard on landing franchises for, and deploying FiOS in major northeast metro markets including New York City and Washington, D.C., after having deployed its TV service widely in New Jersey and increasingly in Massachusetts.
Verizon’s entry has been contested in the Big Apple and in Philadelphia, likely adding time to the process of securing a franchise.
An expected approval for FiOS in Philly would likely ignite fierce competition between the telco TV provider and the country’s largest cableco, Comcast Corp. (CMCSA), in the incumbent TV provider’s backyard.
Verizon did not say when it expected the major to sign the legislation into law.
“We urge Mayor Nutter to sign the ordinance expeditiously so that Verizon can start bringing the many benefits of cable TV choice to Philadelphia residents in 2009,” said Gale Given, president of Verizon Pennsylvania, in prepared comments.
