Stafford County, Va., Residents to See More Choice, Competition as Board of Supervisors Awards Cable Franchise to Verizon.

Stafford County residents are a major step closer to having an innovative, reliable and competitive alternative for their cable television services, thanks to a unanimous vote by the Board of Supervisors Tuesday night (Aug. 19) authorizing Verizon to offer its fiber-optic-powered FiOS TV (see also Verizon).

FiOS TV offers consumers a broad range of programming choices and superior picture quality from the only TV service delivered over the nation's most advanced all-fiber network directly connecting to millions of individual homes and businesses.

Under the 15-year cable franchise, Verizon will make FiOS TV service available to all households in an initial service area in the southernmost areas of the county, including Falmouth and Stafford, within three years. The company plans to begin offering FiOS TV later this summer.

"Stafford County residents soon will be able to join the fast-growing FiOS family in Virginia," said Robert W. Woltz Jr., president of Verizon Virginia. "FiOS TV offers a clear, superior alternative to the incumbent cable providers -- powered by our lightning-fast fiber-optic network.

"From ultra-fast download and unmatched upload Internet speeds to outstanding picture quality, FiOS Internet and FiOS TV services will wow Stafford consumers."

Stafford County joins neighboring Fredericksburg, Prince William County and Spotsylvania County in granting Verizon the authority to compete for cable services. Verizon also offers FiOS TV in much of Northern Virginia and the Richmond and Hampton Roads areas.

Virginia residents who are FiOS TV-eligible have the option to trim their monthly bills by bundling FiOS TV service, FiOS Internet service and the Verizon Freedom Essentials unlimited calling plan, all for $104.99 a month with a one-year commitment. They also can add a Verizon Wireless calling plan for a Grand Slam of communications and entertainment services.

Keywords: Verizon.

This article was prepared by Science Letter editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2008, Science Letter via NewsRx.com.