Verizon disputes NY redlining charge

Verizon is counter-attacking its Long Island, N.Y. video rival, saying Cablevision is spreading misinformation to delay the telephone company’s deployment of video service.

In a prepared statement released Tuesday afternoon, Monica Azare, Verizon senior vice president for New York, said her company is not engaging in red-lining in its deployment of FiOS fiber-to-the-premises technology and will serve the entire Town of Hempstead, N.Y. The real problem, Azare said, is that Cablevision is spreading false reports that Verizon is red-lining.

“These allegations are completely untrue, and they serve only to protect the incumbent cable operator,” Azure said.. “Redlining violates not only the law, but the agreement we have negotiated with the Town of Hempstead itself. We don't do it. We never have and we never will. Period.”

The Hempstead Town Council is considering a Verizon video franchise and is meeting today, April 4.

Azare said Verizon’s FiOS network in the Town of Hempstead will reach about 65 percent of residents this year, and by the end of 2007 will be up to 87 percent of both the franchise area and town will be served by fiber. She said Verizon will leave up to its agreement with the New York State Public Service Commission to have the entire town served by fiber within five years.

By contrast, she said, Cablevision had 20 years to complete its buildout.

Azare’s statements are the latest round in what has turned into the nastiest cable-telco battle over video franchise rites. Throughout lawsuits, local lobbying and ad campaigns, Cablevision has actively opposed Verizon on multiple fronts.

A Cablevision spokesman said, through a prepared statement, that Verizon is seeking a special franchise deal, instead one similar to Cablevision’s.

“They refuse to sign a franchise agreement that is the same as Cablevision’s and instead they want a franchise that includes loopholes so they can pick and choose where they offer their new services,” the spokesman said.