The Prince William Board of County Supervisors is expected to approve a new cable television franchise agreement this afternoon that would allow Verizon to build a fiber-optic cable, telephone and computer network to serve the entire county by 2013, offering more choices to consumers.
“Hopefully the most immediate response is a curb on the increase of prices,” said Dick Beville, a Verizon business negotiator, who said that when Verizon arrived in Fairfax, Cox Communications “held their rates for the first time.”
County officials also expect price competition to ensue.
“This brings competition to the county, and competition takes care of those things,” said Liz Bahrns, a county spokeswoman.
Dale City andTriangle could receive service by the end of summer, Beville said. The Gainesville, Haymarket and Manassas areas are scheduled to have service by 2008. Nokesville, Independent Hill, Occoquan and Quantico would follow.
The county is currently served by cable companies Comcast and Gatehouse and the DirecTV and Dish satellite networks. Comcast is reviewing the agreement to ensure that Verizon is held to the same standards as other companies, said Lisa Altman, a Comcast spokeswoman.
“We’ve been competing for years, and our game plan isn’t going to change,” said Altman, who said her company is working to expand its phone service in the county.
Other Pending Verizon Cable Franchises
» Loudoun
» Arlington
» Leesburg
