Note: Here in the NYC area where Verizon has negotiated local franchises and a state franchise in NJ, the company has been advertising their triple play package for $95, a whopping $5 dollar savings over the same offering from cable companies. We guess this is the extent of what can be expected from 'more competition' and 'consumer choice'. We hope the state legislators in New Jersey will be able to explain how their vast public interest give-away was worth such meager 'consumer savings'. State legislators in NY should take notice - instead of 'triple play' they should be demanding 'fair play'.

from: Long Island Business News [1]

Triple threat

By Jean Paul Vellotti
Wednesday, September 6, 2006 11:55 AM EDT

SAYVILLE – Verizon is working on building up market share in its own triple play of phone, Internet and television services.

The telecom giant announced Wednesday that it has expanded Internet and television service across Long Island. Verizon is also aggressively pursuing a video franchise agreement with the Town of Huntington.

Ten towns in all, Sayville, Bohemia, Oakdale, Bayport, Port Jefferson, Port Jefferson Station, Miller Place, Mount Sinai, Terryville and New Hyde Park, are now wired for FiOS Internet service.

A Verizon spokeswoman said that other towns will come online as additional wiring is installed.

Verizon also launched its FiOS TV service in the village of Laurel Hollow and the Town of Hempstead hamlets of Oceanside and Lakeview.

Verizon already has a video franchise agreement with the Town of Hempstead, but it does not extend to individual villages within the town.

On Aug. 29, Verizon appeared before a public hearing in the Town of Huntington to negotiate a video franchise agreement. Verizon said it is working “closely with the Town on a franchise that meets the needs of its residents.”