(Latest Update in Red)
UPDATED NOVEMBER 2007 : In light of several phone calls being received, the following update is being posted. Contrary to what some residents are being told by Verizon, you should not call the Town Hall for a status of "negotiations" for a Verizon cable franchise:
In August of last year Verizon requested to start the licensing process in Boylston so that they could offer television services in Boylston via FIOS. At that time they told us that they had already completed running the cable for the FIOS and that they would be offering Internet and telephone service via FIOS as that was not covered under the telecommunications act and as such did not require any special licensing.
Boylston completed the required paperwork as requested by Verizon. By December 2006, Verizon had still not started the process, citing delays due to thier legal staff being streched too thin working with other communities; they promised to start the process in January 2007. In February they said that they did not have adequate engineering resources. In March they said they were going to be delayed longer but would not commit to a date. In June they told us that they expected to be able to start Boylston in the fall; this is the latest status we have.
At no time has Boylston ever delayed Verizon's licensing / cable television process.
UPDATED FEBRUARY 5th 2008 : Excerpt from E-mail received 2/5/08 from Verizon in response to Boylston’s Cable Advisory Committee’s inquiry to re-enter negotiations for a franchise license:
“At this time we are not ready to open negotiations. However, we continue to review and refine our plans for 2008. I will contact you as our plans continue to evolve.”
UPDATED FEBRUARY 12th 2008 : Email exchange between Verizon and Boylston Cable Advisory Committee:
From: Chairman (Boylston Cable Advisory Committee)
"...Residents in Boylston are asking for FIOS-TV. We are forced to tell them that Verizon pulled out of negotiations and have not resumed. We would very much like to restart the licensing process"....
From: Director of Public Affairs (Verizon)
"..please feel free to call me on Thursday or Friday....Thanks for your continued interest in FiOS TV."
UPDATED MARCH 2008: It is important for Boylston residents to realize that the Town has specifically requested that Verizon return to the negotiation table.
We were told during the most recent conversations that Verizon would not be able to "restart" the process until 2009. We have requested that they re-enter negotiations at the earliest possible date.
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