Verizon Communications will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, Sept. 1, with mayor Adrian Fenty and other city officials to mark the official launch of the telco's FiOS network upgrade in the nation's capital.
The telecommunications company said it expects to begin offering FiOS TV and Internet services in parts of the District of Columbia starting later this year, competing with cable incumbent Comcast. Fenty in January approved the telco's 15-year cable franchise with the city.
The event is scheduled for Sept. 1 at 10:30 a.m. at 1600 19th St. S.E. near Minnesota Avenue. According to Verizon, the D.C. officials will take turns splicing fiber-optic lines following the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Scheduled to be on hand are Fenty, D.C. Councilmember Mary Cheh, D.C. Office of Cable Television director Eric Richardson and Verizon regional president William Roberts.
Verizon said its construction teams have been working in D.C.'s southeast quadrant to lay fiber-optic cabling. The franchise agreement obligates Verizon to make FiOS TV available throughout the District within the next nine years.
