Verizon tiptoeing around Boston with FiOS rollouts?
By Darren Murph 
posted Mar 12th 2008 1:04PM
posted Mar 12th 2008 1:04PM
[Thanks, Jason K.]
posted Mar 12th 2008 1:04PM
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Any idea how this compares to other medium-to-large size cities that are 'old' by US standards? One possibility is that the cost of running new lines through the dense underground infrastructure of a place like Boston (or New York, Philadelpha, Baltimore etc.) is just too tricky and expensive.
My father-in-law lives on a spacious lot in the 'burbs of Philadelpha. Despite having been given a schematic, in the process of running his Fios line, the Verizon crew cut through: the previous cable line, an electric line, and the lawn sprinkler pipe. They eventually fixed everything, but the challenge of running these lines (or the incompetence of the crew) was clearly illustrated. Imagine how much trouble there would be if they cut a major electric line or water main in a major city!
They have done the same thing around DC. All the surrounding areas have it like Montgomery County. We're be held captive by Comcast.
It all comes down to the costs associated with installing the fiber in the city. Also, your talking about hooking up condos which are around 100 years old compared to single family homes.
You forgot Jamaica Plain, too!
I want FIOS so bad but I'm just SOL... and if I sign up to receive email notifications of when it's available, Verizon starts calling me offering phone service; highly annoying.
Still want it though... Come on, VZ!
My understanding after talking to a phone/net contractor last year is that there are two factors at work here:
1. Cost of cabling densely populated areas
2. Losing high margin verizon T1 customers (particularly small businesses) to cheaper FIOS internet subscriptions.
If you do some research, you'll find that Verizon is specifically avoiding dense urban areas.
If you check this graph from philly.com, you'll see that Verizon has almost completely surrounded Philly with FiOS access, yet has no plan to actually enter the city.
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/gallery/15948532.html
There are various factors at work, but obviously the bottom line is the bottom line.
Ironically, here in Philly, Verizon has a market advantage over satellite due to the fact that Comcast is permitted to withhold Comcast Sportsnet Philadelphia (Phillies, Sixers and Flyers outlet) from satellite. Any sports fan who'd like to dump Comcast would likely try the FiOS service, which does offer the RSN...
So, if Verizon isn't going into Philly, I wouldn't hold my breath for other urban areas...
Thankfully I'm about 500ft from the boston line and have fios...but living in somerville before I was ticked at the attitude from verizon. As if they are not even going to bother trying. At least RCN already offers a decent competitive alternate to comcast in the area.
I understand it is a big fish to fry, but there is no reason why they can't start one neighborhood at a time. Even if it takes years, at least progress is being made.
One of my buddies in NYC already has FIOS (http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gBrX3RcFgTs10Y-C81lIs5plsJDAD8VK0NJO0). Clearly the delay in FIOS's rollout in Boston urban areas is not technology related. If it's in NYC, it well could be here! It has more to do with idiot politicians in Boston / Beacon Hill, unreasonable regulation, graft and payoffs! Mayor Menino (http://boston.bizjournals.com/boston/stories/2008/03/24/daily45.html) and Sen. Michael Morrissey, co-chairman of the Legislature's telecom and utilities committee (http://www.dailynewstribune.com/state/x1775730673), get off your rears!