TOWN OF CLAY -- Central New Yorkers could soon have another choice when selecting a cable television provider. Verizon, which has already started providing TV service to New York City and western New York, is seeking is looking to add its FIOS TV service to the the Town of Clay.
Tom McCarroll, Verizon's Vice President for External Affairs, says the company hopes to begin providing service in Central New York as soon as possible. "Once we have confirmation of the agreement with the Public Service Commission we will immediately begin marketing our products in the Central New York region," McCarroll says.
Residents in Clay were able to hear details of Verizon's plan at a public hearing on the company's proposal Monday at the Clay Town Hall. Verizon is not giving out exact price information yet, but Clay residents like Gus Olson think the competition can only help lower prices on his cable bill. "Time Warner seems to raise their rates every year. With competition of Verizon maybe the rates will stay steady or even go down," says Olson.
Time Warner Cable spokesman Jeff Unaitis says not only do they plan to offer more services than Verizon, but he says the company's rates will be competitive as well. "There has been drastic changes in prices for our products. I think we win if we are providing the best service we can, and the best programming we can, and variety," says Unitas.
In addition to Clay, Verizon is also looking to add TV service to Cicero, Lysander, Van Buren, Geddes, and Baldwinsville.
