NYC: Verizon has not met FiOS coverage targets

New York City wants its broadband and is taking on Verizon for failing to deliver. City officials have told Verizon Communications that it considers the telecommunications provider in default of its agreement to provide broadband and pay-TV services throughout the city. Verizon, which is headquartered in New York City, says its agreement with New York covers only cable TV and that the terms of the 12-year agreement, signed in 2008, are being met.

"The City has now chosen not to work with us to resolve impractical processes for getting access to more buildings which seems at odds with bringing the benefits of competition to New Yorkers," Verizon spokesman Ray McConville said. This isn't the first time that New York City and Verizon have had conflicting views of their agreement. In June 2015, the city released an audit that found Verizon had failed in extending its FiOS network throughout the city by June 30, 2014. "Through a thorough and comprehensive audit, we have determined that Verizon substantially failed to meet its commitment to the people of New York City,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said at the time.