Wednesday January 10, 2:29 pm ET
Legislation 'Has Consumer Written All Over It'
BOSTON, Jan. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- State Sen. Steven Panagiotakos,
D-Lowell, and state Rep. James Vallee, D-Franklin, Wednesday (Jan. 10)
filed legislation that would streamline the cable-TV franchising process
in Massachusetts. The following statement should be attributed to Donna
Cupelo, Verizon region president for Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
ADVERTISEMENT
"The legislation filed today has 'consumers' written all over it. It
will meet the demands of Massachusetts consumers who have been waiting
far too long to realize the benefits of cable TV choice and competition.
Senator Panagiotakos and Representative Vallee are standing up for
consumers who are tired of skyrocketing cable bills and want greater
choice in service providers and programming. This bill will enable us to
provide more Massachusetts consumers with expanded cable TV choices and
will help grow the state's economy by spurring innovation, providing
incentives for investment and jobs in Massachusetts."
Additional Background
Verizon Communications is building an all-fiber-optic network to offer
phone, Internet and video services. Verizon began seeking permission to
offer its FiOS TV service in Massachusetts two years ago and has so far
been granted TV franchises in only 38 of the 351 Bay State communities.
The company is currently negotiating with some 30 more communities for
cable TV franchises.
The company also offers FiOS TV in California, Delaware, Florida,
Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia.
Verizon research indicates 87 percent of Massachusetts residents favor
more competition and choice for video services. Independent studies have
shown that competition in the video market brings enormous benefits to
consumers in the form of reduced prices, better packages and improved
service.
--
WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org
Subscribe/Unsubscribe:
http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless
Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
