State of the art cable
Verizon may soon offer FiOS TV in county
By Shariq Torres CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Page Dowdy/Chesterfield Observer Verizon lineman John Gregory spends many of his work hours these days running fiber optic cable for his company's new FiOS television service.

Move over, Comcast. County residents could soon have another choice when it comes to choosing a cable company. Verizon plans to bring fiber optic (FiOS) television to Chesterfield soon.

Currently, only Comcast and Cavalier Telephone have cable franchises that allow them to operate within the county.

Harry Mitchell, media director for Verizon's Mid-Atlantic Bureau, said that the company is thinking of bundling telephone, Internet and cable services - similar to its main rival, Comcast.

"Customers do find that our pricing is competitive, and the product is superior," said Mitchell.

FiOS television will bring 200 digital channels, 15 on-demand channels, and the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network - a channel that will air Washington Redskins, Nationals and Wizards games.

County residents can already receive Verizon's FiOS Internet service.

Mitchell said Verizon and county attorneys have been negotiating a franchise agreement for several weeks. Although he wouldn't give a characterization of the talks, Mitchell said, "We're hoping to be able to offer the county an alternative in the near future."

Repeated calls to Michael Chernau, the county attorney in charge of the negotiations, were not returned by press time.

If approved, Chesterfield will be the third location in central Virginia to offer FiOS TV. The company already offers the service in Henrico County. Last month, the Richmond City Council voted to extend Verizon a franchise.

Recently, Verizon was also granted a franchise in Virginia Beach. According to Lee Gierczynski, a manager for Verizon media relations, the process is similar for all Virginia localities.

"The company will initiate contact with a municipality, and they'll have a 45-day window to negotiate a franchise," Gierczynski said. "If a franchise isn't agreed upon, then the company will issue an ordinance that says they'll start offering video services."

Under this ordinance, Verizon could offer cable services without county approval. During this time period, the company doesn't pay the county franchise fees, which range in the millions of dollars.

Virginia Beach didn't reach an agreement with Verizon until several months after the 45-day window, but when the franchise was finally approved last month, it was retroactive.

"That way the municipalities don't lose out on franchise fees," Gierczynski said.

Crews can be seen around the county upgrading the existing Verizon network to fiber optic. Upgrading the network will be a multiyear project, Verizon officials said. They want 18 million lines upgraded by 2010. Right now, they're past six million.