Brooklyn Residents Vent Frustrations to Verizon over FiOS

BROOKLYN, NY (11/18/2015)(readMedia)-- Brooklyn residents turned out at Borough Hall Tuesday night to discuss the rollout of Verizon FiOS across the borough. Co-sponsored by Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams, "Verizon FiOS in Brooklyn: Public Forum to Discuss the Verizon FiOS Rollout" allowed participants to describe their considerable frustrations with their inability to access the FiOS product, which was contractually guaranteed to all New Yorkers under a Franchise Agreement signed with New York City in 2008. The event was also sponsored by Brooklyn Councilmembers Brad Lander and Carlos Menchaca.

Borough President Adams, a member of the Franchise and Concession Review Committee (FCRC), hosted the event in recognition of the importance of expanding high-speed telecommunications service in Brooklyn as well as holding City franchisees accountable to agreements.

An audit by the NYC Department of Information Technology & Telecommunications this past June confirmed what residents and some businesses have experienced, that Verizon has failed to live up to its obligations under its franchise agreement. Under the agreement, a complete fiber optic buildout of the entire city was supposed to have been accomplished by November 2014.

Over 60 Brooklyn residents were in attendance, and many shared their personal experiences.

"I have put in a formal request, including two letters and an email, in addition to many phone calls over the last two years. Six months ago, I was finally told that FiOS was 'on its way and the company was negotiating access with the building owner.' Well, I am the building owner, and no one from Verizon has contacted me," said Karla Hele, who owns a two-unit home Sackett St. in Carrol Gardens.

This case has broad implications, not only for the state of telecommunications regulation in New York City and New York State, but for the ability of residents in NYC to equitably access reliable cable and high speed internet service. Such services have become a necessity to full participation in modern society, government, and our economy.

Advocacy groups Consumers Union and Common Cause/NY formed a coalition, Waiting4FiOS, and website www.waiting4fios.nyc to collect stories and launch a petition urging Verizon to complete the buildout of FiOS under the terms of its franchise agreement with NYC.

"High-speed access is a prerequisite to progress in 21st century Brooklyn, and we cannot accept roadblocks to progress in any of our communities," said Josh Levin, Director of Business Development, Office of the Brooklyn Borough President. "It is important that we hear from Brooklynites about their experiences with the rollout of Verizon FiOS in an effort to see the results that residents and businesses expect."

"Common Cause/NY is dedicated to the principle of universal telecommunications service, and take consumers' rights to reliable service extremely seriously. High speed internet is no longer a luxury, but a necessity," said Josh Mumm, Outreach Manager, Common Cause/NY. "Verizon is obligated to provide FiOS to all New York City residents, and its violation of the franchise agreement is unacceptable. Many of our members complained that they have been told their neighborhoods, blocks or buildings simply aren't going to be getting FiOS and that there is nothing they can do about this. We want Verizon to fulfill its promises and obligations to New Yorkers by completing the work they are contractually obligated to perform."

See www.waiting4fios.nyc for more details. For more information, including photos and video from the event, contact Josh Mumm at jmumm@commoncause.org.