Verizon Communications Inc. is zeroing in on the Boston area for its Verizon FiOS TV service, announcing that it is now offering the upstart fiber-optic-delivered television service in Reading, Mass., in competition with incumbent cabler Comcast Corp.
Reading, which granted Verizon a TV franchise in January, joins nearby Woburn on the FiOS TV rollout list. The regional Bell operating company started taking orders for TV service in Woburn two weeks ago.
Verizon has recently been building up its list of FiOS TV franchises from its original Keller, Texas, rollout in September. Service is now available a handful of California, Florida, Virginia and Long Island, N.Y., markets.
The New York-based telco has set a goal to expand its FiOS footprint from 3 million customers passed to 6 million by the end of this year.
The FiOS TV service currently offers more than 390 channels, with a flagship package offering 180 video and music channels for $34.95 per month if customers also take Verizon FiOS Internet service. Sold separately, the package costs $39.95.
