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Statement by Chief Administrative Officer Bruce Romer regarding the Verizon Lawsuit -- Verizon Refuses to Compete Under the Same Rules
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- For Immediate Release: 6/30/2006
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The County cable franchise process has been clearly spelled out in the Montgomery County Code since 1982. It is in full compliance with federal law and has been tested in the courts. Montgomery County officials are committed to video competition for County residents which is why the County facilitated the deployment of Verizon’s fiber optic technology.
Last year, Verizon Communications expressed interest in acquiring a cable franchise in Montgomery County. The County had already granted franchises to two other cable television providers – Comcast and RCN (formerly Starpower). We encouraged Verizon to negotiate in good faith for a cable franchise comparable to the other two providers. The County repeatedly expressed to Verizon -- and acted upon -- the County’s commitment to expedite the franchise agreement, but it takes two parties to negotiate.
It is with great surprise that we find ourselves the target of a federal lawsuit over a process that has successfully served our residents twice before. While Verizon and the County have met, Verizon has not yet submitted a franchise application to the County, so they are challenging a process which applies to their competitors but which they have not yet officially entered. This lawsuit is evidence that Verizon is unwilling to play by the same rules that apply to their cable competitors.
The County intends to vigorously defend its lawful processes which are designed to create fair and open competition for the benefit and protection of consumers while treating all cable providers equally.
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