D.C. Mayor, Key City Leaders Help Verizon Kick Off Major All-Fiber-Optic Network Upgrade

As excitement builds about Verizon bringing FiOS TV and more cable choice to the District of Columbia, D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty and key city leaders joined company officials on Tuesday (Sept. 1) for the official launch of Verizon's network upgrade to all fiber optics in the District.

District and Verizon representatives marked the launch with a ribbon-cutting and demonstration of the fiber-optic splicing operation that company technicians will perform as part of the massive network upgrade.  The launch event was held in the Southeast, where technicians have begun working on the upgrade.

As Verizon upgrades to an all-fiber network - something no major cable TV competitor is doing - the company expects to begin offering its award-winning FiOS TV and FiOS Internet services in parts of the District later this year.

"The countdown to FiOS continues in the nation's capital, and our employees will be working hard over the next few years to bring the benefits of FiOS services throughout the District," said William R. Roberts, Verizon's regional president for Maryland and Washington, D.C.  "FiOS truly is a game-changing product, and District citizens will love the superior picture-and-sound quality; the more than 120 high-definition channels; the ultra-fast Internet speeds; and the innovative, interactive features available only from FiOS."

Mayor Fenty said, "This partnership with Verizon illustrates the District's commitment to ensuring District residents have expanded options when it comes to cable television services.  We look forward to bringing FiOS to all District neighborhoods in the near future."

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 effective date, subject to a possible extension of one year based on certain success-based criteria. 

Eric E. Richardson, director of the D.C. Office of Cable Television (OCT), said, "It's great to see the results of many months of hard work finally unfold as Verizon begins its network upgrade.  We're pleased that Verizon will make FiOS TV available to residents in each of the District's eight wards over the next six years."

Councilmember Mary M. Cheh said, "This is a major step forward for District residents and businesses.  I look forward to the day when all our residents will have another choice for their video services."

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving more than 87 million customers nationwide.  Verizon's Wireline operations provide converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network.  Wireline also includes Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 235,000 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of more than $97 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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