Verizon Communications on Tuesday launched a FiOS TV marketing campaign in the city of Pittsburgh, touting a lineup of 122 HD channels in taking on incumbent Comcast in the Steel City.
In a special promotion, the telco is offering Pittsburgh residents who are eligible to receive FiOS TV a triple-play package of TV, FiOS Internet and voice service starting at $79.99 per month for the first six months. Customers who sign up for a qualifying FiOS service before Dec. 19 may be eligible for $150 cash back, in the form of a prepaid Visa card.
The Pittsburgh City Council last week unanimously approved Verizon's 10-year cable franchise, under which Verizon will make FiOS TV available throughout the city within six years. Comcast's franchise agreement with Pittsburgh expires at the end of 2009. Verizon will pay 5% of gross revenue to Pittsburgh, the same franchise fee Comcast pays.
Verizon introduced FiOS TV in southwestern Pennsylvania in November 2007 and offers FiOS TV to more than 250,000 households in nearly 80 suburban communities across the region.
Nationwide, FiOS TV is currently available to more than 10.3 million homes and businesses in 14 states: California, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia and Washington.
