Verizon promises citywide FiOS access within a decade

Verizon has agreed to install its fiber optic network citywide within 10 years and include a chunk of Northeast in the initial phase, a step up from earlier promises and likely enough to win D.C. Council support for the District’s newest cable television provider.

The 15-year franchise agreement between Verizon and the D.C. government was approved Friday by a council committee, setting up a vote of the full council next month. The council negotiated several major changes to the deal submitted by the Fenty administration, most notably that Verizon must have its FiOS network available District-wide within nine years, with an optional 12-month extension.