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E-mail This StoryMany Collin County consumers will soon have more choices when selecting their high-speed internet, video and phone provider.
Verizon Communications Inc. received permission June 9 from the Public Utility Commission of Texas to expand into 12 cities predominately controlled by AT&T.
“We are able to achieve this in a very cost-effective way,” said Bill Kula, Verizon spokesman. “We believe these areas are prime targets of the type of households that want very high speed internet and comprehensive video offered all on one bill.”
Collin County consumers living in northwest Plano, west Allen and south Frisco will soon be offered Verizon’s fiber optic network, FiOS, before the end of the year.
Kula said Verizon has invested $22.9 billion to build out the FiOS network nationwide from 2004-2010 and spent “hundreds of millions” of dollars in North Texas.
“We have not started actively marketing to any of these new areas yet,” Kula said. “Right now we are focused on building out the fiber and splicing the fiber.”
AT&T received permission in June 2005 to expand their U-verse bundle into Verizon territory.
Sarah Andreani, AT&T spokeswoman said since U-verse was introduced in March 2007, they have constantly expanded.
“We will continue to expand within our service footprint. We feel competition is a good thing,” Andreani said. “We feel strongly that consumers want choices.”
Kula said Verizon’s FiOS is currently available to 500,000 potential households in North Texas.
Of the 500,000 potential customers locally, Kula said there is more than a 40 percent subscriber penetration rate for FiOS internet and more than a 30 percent rate for FiOS video.
“North Texas is the most mature FiOS market since they rolled it out here first,” Kula said. “The response continues to be incredibly successful in terms of customer demands. Plano represents the largest base of perspective customers for households served.”
Bruce Glasscock, Plano’s executive director, said having two options creates a competitive environment.
“Competition usually has a positive affect on prices,” Glasscock said.
Kula believes the huge response for FiOS in North Texas reflects the demand customers have for broadband and entertainment in the metroplex.
“Our expanded fiber optic network will continue to grow in the area,” Kula said. “We will also be expanding our fiber optic network to other cities in the metroplex.”
West Plano homeowner Eliot Hamerman said Verizon’s network can’t come to his neighborhood fast enough.
“I already called trying to get on the list for installation,” Hamerman said. “They took down my information, but by the time they get back with me I probably will have already called them 10 times.”
Hamerman, who works from home, said he currently uses two internet providers due to lack of reliability. He said if one crashes he’ll have the other to back it up.
“I’m looking forward to dropping the two services and getting one bill,” he said. “Verizon’s faster speed, reliability and high quality of service are the reasons I’m switching as fast as I can.”
Kula said the new service areas also allow businesses to have more choices.
Optometrist Danny Malone uses Verizon for all his business needs. He said he relies on Verizon’s speed and efficiency for communications, acquiring data accessing and digital technology.
“It is very reliable and versatile for my business,” Malone said. “It is not one dimensional.”
Contact Stephanie Flemmons at sflemmons@acnpapers.com
