Philadelphia City Council To Hold Hearing On Verizon's Alleged FiOS Delays
By Mike Dunn
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia City Council today voted to hold a hearing on whether Verizon is building its Fios fiber-optic network quickly enough in the city's lower-income neighborhoods.
The vote came despite a plea from Verizon that no hearing is needed.
Councilman Jim Kenney wants the hearing because he says he has information that Verizon is not honoring its Fios build out plan agreed upon three years ago with City Council (see related story).
Verizon vice president Doug Smith showed up to urge Council to reject Kenney's plan for a hearing.
"Let me be clear: a hearing on the Fios project is not needed," he told council members. "We've had reviews (by the city administration) and our results have never been challenged. The sponsor claims to have information suggesting that Verizon is out of compliance with the contract. Let me be clear again: we are in compliance."
Kenney (in file photo) responded:
"To quote Shakespeare, I think he doth protest too much. When a large national corporation tells a (legislative) body that there's no need for hearings, that's generally a pretty good reason why we should have them."
Kenney's colleagues agreed, voting unanimously to schedule a hearing on the matter. No date was immediately set.
