My May column on Gotham Gazette breaks down the Verizon franchise agreement. If you're interested in knowing what New Yorkers are getting and what we're losing, you should read it: What the Verizon Deal Does -- and Doesn't -- Do
This deal, negotiated in secret and rushed through the approval process, is perhaps the most underreported telecommunications story of the year. New York City is the largest cable market in the United States. This deal will set the standard not only for the other cable franchises in New York – Time Warner and Cablevision are up for renewal – but for FiOS deals across the country.
You can review the franchise agreement yourself:
- Cable Franchise Agreement by and between The City of New York and Verizon New York Inc. (54 pages)
- Appendices A-K to the agreement (79 pages)
(Note: These are not the most up-to-date versions; there have been a few modifications.)