Yesterday, Verizon marked the launch of its FiOS video and data services in the Washington, D.C., area by hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony that included District of Columbia Mayor Adrian Fenty and other local leaders in attendance.
Festivities included a demonstration of the fiber-optic splicing operation that company technicians will perform as part of the network upgrade. The launch event was held in the southeast, where technicians have begun working on the upgrade.
Verizon expects to launch its video and data services in parts of the D.C. area later this year.
According to the cable franchise agreement, Verizon will offer service within three years of the franchise’s April 30 effective date to all residents in an initial service area that includes parts of the Barry Farms, Brightwood, Columbia Heights, Crestwood, Fort Stanton, Friendship Heights, Historic Anacostia, Petworth, Shepherd Park, Sheridan, Tenleytown, Van Ness and Woodley Park neighborhoods.
Verizon will expand its service availability within six years to an extended service area that will include parts of the Adams Morgan, Benning, Benning Heights, Buzzard Point, Deanwood, Dupont Circle, Eastland Gardens, Ft. McNair, Lincoln Heights, Logan Circle, Shaw and Southwest Waterfront neighborhoods.
Verizon will make its services available throughout the rest of the District within nine years of the franchise’s effective date, subject to a possible extension of one year based on certain success-based criteria.
Verizon has launched its FiOS services in Philadelphia, where Comcast is headquartered, and is working on final approval in Pittsburgh.
Verizon also announced that the Easton Board of Selectmen on Monday granted a cable franchise to Verizon. The board’s authorization brings to 100 the total number of Massachusetts communities where Verizon’s FiOS TV is, or will soon be, available.
