NEW YORK (AP) – New York City has sued Verizon, saying the phone giant broke its 2008 promise to make its Fios cable service available to all city residents.
The city said in a lawsuit Monday that Verizon missed a 2014 deadline to extend wire by every home or apartment building in the city – in technical parlance, “passing” the home. The city also argues that Verizon hasn’t installed service for thousands who requested it.
Verizon disagrees with the city’s definition of “passing” a home and says it has done its job. Spokesman Ray McConville said Monday that Verizon sees “passed” as meaning that it can reach every home, provided a landlord gives permission. Verizon wants to reach some buildings through other buildings.
In a letter to the city Friday, Verizon says 2.2 million households have access to Fios, a phone, cable and high-speed internet network. Verizon said Monday that it is committed to expanding Fios availability to the city’s remaining 1 million households.
The lawsuit was filed in a New York state court.