Verizon to launch James City County's third cable service
Service will be limited to areas that have its FIOS service for now, Verizon says
It’s May 22. James City County approved a franchise agreement for Verizon to become the county’s third cable provider. Homes sales — and prices — continued to grow in the Historic Triangle last month.
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At a time when more Americans are cutting the cable cord, James City County will be getting a third cable TV provider.
Verizon received permission from the James City County supervisors to provide cable service at last week’s supervisors meeting.
A spokesperson for Verizon said the service would initially be limited to areas where it offers its FIOS fiber optic internet service.
“We do have plans... to eventually build out,” Matt Ogburn, director of government relations in Virginia, told the supervisors at their May 12 meeting.
Using the existing fiber optic network will allow Verizon to add cable tv service without having to install more lines.
A Verizon spokesperson did not have subscription prices available when we checked Thursday.
Cox Communications and Shenandoah Cable Television, LLC -- operating as Glo Fiber -- currently serve James City County. But only Cox is county-wide.
James City chair John McGlennon said the county does not have any exclusive arrangement with any cable provider.
Deputy County Attorney Liz Parman said the franchise agreement supervisors approved for Verizon is the same as it has with Cox and Shenandoah Cable and does not set rates or programming.
But it does require Verizon to provide cable service to public facilities including schools and recreation centers in its service area.
It also requires Verizon to provide three public access channels for local government programming.
Homes sales — and prices — up again
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