
Former Mayor Tom Menino famously never cut a deal to bring Verizon Internet service to the city. But the “new” mayor has done so. The long-awaited move spells the eventual end of Comcast’s virtual monopoly in Boston.
“Boston is moving faster than our current infrastructure can support, and a modern fiber-optic communications platform will make us a next-level city,” Mayor Marty Walsh said in a press statement. “Additionally, it is a priority to ensure that every resident has expanded access to broadband and increasing competition is critical to reaching that goal.”
Rollout of Verizon Fios service would begin this year in Dudley Square, Dorchester and West Roxbury. Jamaica Plain is scheduled to be in the second wave along with Hyde Park, Mattapan and part of Roxbury’s outside Dudley.
Verizon claims that residents can have a say in moving their neighborhood higher up the priority list. Go to this Verizon website where you can vote (after confirming your physical address and giving an email address and phone number.)
Verizon has promised to invest $300 million in Boston over the next six years, according to the Mayor’s Office.
The announcement comes on the eve of a possible strike by 40,000 Verizon workers. According to CNN, most of the would-be strikers are in the communication giant’s traditional phone service business.
