Leaders want Verizon FiOS investigation

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Elected officials and community leaders are calling for an investigation of Verizon FiOS.

Leaders presented a letter to federal and state elected officials and government agencies Tuesday morning, asking them to investigate possible discrimination by Verizon in the deployment of its FiOS phone, internet and television services. 

RELEASE: Members of the Don’t Bypass Buffalo Coalition gathered Tuesday for the unveiling of a new billboard campaign highlighting the role Verizon’s fiber optic network plays in exacerbating the Digital Divide here in Western New York. Verizon has deployed its FiOS phone, internet, and television services throughout many of Buffalo’s adjacent suburbs but has made the decision to exclude the City of Buffalo, reflecting a separate and unequal divide between City and suburban residents.

The Coalition also released a letter signed by two dozen local elected officials and community leaders that calls on federal and state representatives and regulatory agencies to investigate possible racial and economic discrimination by Verizon in the deployment of the FiOS network. In the letter, they discussed the racial and ethnic disparity in the access to this technology, referencing the fact that in the 10 suburbs where Verizon offers FiOS, the proportion of African American residents in those areas is more than 13 times lower than it is in the City of Buffalo, and the Hispanic population is nearly 4 times lower. The letter also outlined the network structures already in place that would facilitate the process of deploying FiOS within the City limits.

Said Jim Anderson of Citizen Action of Western New York, “The Verizon FiOS deployment in Buffalo is a corporate red lining scheme undermining the City of Buffalo with intentional discriminate design.”

Members of the Coalition went on to highlight the need for economic development within the city center and not just the surrounding suburbs. Bringing FiOS to Buffalo would allow the City to create and retain jobs, improve educational achievement, and narrow the digital divide between the suburbs and the city, and whites and people of color. For the region to succeed, Buffalo must not be left behind.

Statement from Verizon:

"As Verizon has told the coalition and local officials countless times, our focus these days is meeting the buildout commitments in the 182 municipalities across the state where we currently have TV franchises. The allegation of discrimination with respect to FiOS deployment is just plain wrong...period. The coalition simply needs to look at other FiOS deployment areas in NYS and other states to see those allegations are off base. Our deployment decisions have nmore to do with our own infrastructure, the market potential, competition, and a host of other elements. Population, economic makeup have no bearing whatsover on decision-making on deployment. Verizon already offers Buffalo residents a reliable and affordable triple play of telephone, High Speed Internet and DirecTV, at a price point below FiOS. Verizon is a a vital partner in the city and WNY region, investing in our networks and in the community."