N.Y. PSC Gives Green Light to Cable Competition in East Rockaway and Greenburgh

NEW YORK - The New York Public Service Commission issued an order on Wednesday (Oct. 18) confirming Verizon's video franchises in the Long Island village of East Rockaway and in the Westchester County community of Greenburgh.  Franchises were granted to Verizon by East Rockaway on Sept. 18 and by Greenburgh on Sept. 27.  The commission has the authority to review franchise agreements between local governments in New York and cable service providers, such as Verizon, to make sure the agreements comply with statewide rules and regulations.

Verizon already offers FiOS TV to 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.

FiOS TV is Verizon's state-of-the-art fiber optic television service, which is delivered via the company's fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) network.  Verizon currently is bringing fiber connections directly to homes in more than half the states where it offers landline communications services, including many New York communities.

The following statement should be attributed to Monica Azare, Verizon senior vice president for New York and Connecticut.

"The PSC's confirmation of the franchise agreements for East Rockaway and Greenburgh helps us to provide the choice and competition that New York consumers demand.  This is an important victory for cable consumers who want a choice for their video services.

"We believe these communities - and all communities where we plan to deliver FiOS TV - benefit most from policies that recognize the world has changed and that technology offers consumers a real alternative to cable TV.

"We look forward to offering more New York consumers the benefits and innovation of FiOS TV."

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), a Dow 30 company, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving nearly 55 million customers nationwide.  Verizon Business operates one of the most expansive wholly-owned global IP networks.  Verizon Telecom is deploying the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network to deliver the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services to customers.  Based in New York, Verizon has a diverse workforce of more than 252,000 and generates annual consolidated operating revenues of approximately $90 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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