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October 2, 2007

Verizon seeks to expand R.I. cable TV service

Verizon Communications is seeking permission to expanding its FiOS cable television service in 10 more Rhode Island communities, mostly in the northern section of the state, the company said today.

Verizon filed applications with state regulators to provide the service to the 115,000 households in cable service areas 1 and 4. The communities in those areas are Burrillville, Central Falls, Cumberland, East Providence, Glocester, Lincoln, North Smithfield, Pawtucket, Smithfield and Woonsocket.

The applications were made with the state’s Division of Public Utilities and Carriers, which grants cable TV franchises, as long as a prospective provider is fit, willing, and technically and financially qualified to deliver cable TV service.

Assuming it gets that approval, Verizon said it expects to begin offering its service in those communities next year.

The company is already offering its FiOS TV service to about 80,000 households in service area 6, which includes Coventry, East Greenwich, Exeter, North Kingstown, Warwick, West Greenwich and West Warwick.

Verizon is awaiting state approval to offer FiOS in service areas 2, 3, and 8, which includes 158,000 households in Charlestown, Cranston, Foster, Hopkinton, Johnston, Narragansett, North Providence, Providence, Richmond, Scituate, South Kingstown and Westerly. The company expects to begin offering the service in these three service areas by the end of this year, Verizon said.

Altogether, Verizon has permission, or is seeking permission, to provide service in 29 of the state’s 39 cities and towns. The company competes directly with Cox Communications in those communities.

Posted by Tim Barmann  at 6:37 PM | Permalink

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