Just like the Dutch and, much later, The Muppets, Verizon Communications is aiming to take Manhattan--and the rest of New York City. The telco has applied for a city-wide operating license to offer FiOS TV service throughout New York City, following a call from the city government last week for city-wide coverage proposals. Verizon's move follows speculation that it already had been talking to the city about a video license and had been considering a major move into the Big Apple.
Just last month, Verizon confirmed it was offering broadband Internet access (but not TV) to two major apartment complexes in New York City, and it has been edging toward a head-to-head battle with New York City cable TV incumbents for some time. If its TV bid is accepted, Verizon would build out coverage across the city by 2014. It primarily would compete against Time Warner Cable, Cablevision and RCN, which all serve portion of New York City, but there is also a possibility these companies and others could pursue similar city-wide license.
For more:
- read this story at Multichannel News
Related articles:
Verizon moved FiOS telephone and Internet into Manhattan last month. Verizon report
Verizon says FiOS profitable by 2010. Verizon FiOS report