LaFAYETTE — Verizon (NYSE: VZ) will carry out the task of deploying broadband services in several communities within Onondaga County. The effort will bring all-fiber, high-speed broadband services to more than 1,500 locations across the county. The funding for the initiative includes $11.1 million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and a nearly $7 […]
LaFAYETTE — Verizon (NYSE: VZ) will carry out the task of deploying broadband services in several communities within Onondaga County.
The effort will bring all-fiber, high-speed broadband services to more than 1,500 locations across the county. The funding for the initiative includes $11.1 million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and a nearly $7 million investment from Verizon.
Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon on Nov. 15 made the announcement at the LaFayette Town Hall.
“Onondaga County is proud of this initiative and pleased to help deliver this vital service to our rural residents,” McMahon said in a release. “Verizon’s choice to partner with us and invest in the county is another indicator of the resurgence that is occurring here. Moving forward with FiOS broadband is a huge competitive advantage and will help our residents recover more quickly from the economic impact of the pandemic. It also provides vastly greater data capacity at a time that virtually every consumer is relying more on online services to function remotely. It will also set the stage for increased competition in the data and voice sectors.”
“Verizon is focused on delivering broadband service, and the major economic benefits associated with it, to Central New York,” Kevin Service, senior VP of wireline network operations at Verizon, said. “We are pleased to work with Onondaga County to achieve our common goal of increasing broadband access for unserved and underserved areas in the State. This project will significantly help to close the digital divide in that region.”
The Communications Workers of America (CWA) supported Verizon’s bid, per the Onondaga County announcement.
“On behalf of our members, we are pleased to offer our endorsement of Verizon’s bid to work with Onondaga County and build a state-of-the-art fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) network to unserved and underserved locations in the County,” Dennis Trainor, VP, CWA District 1, said. “Verizon has unparalleled experience in FTTP broadband in Onondaga County and has a directly employed, highly skilled and well-trained union workforce with a proven track record of delivering broadband service with incredible speed, reliability and quality to New Yorkers.”
Verizon will leverage its supplier relationships to meet the goals set by Onondaga County related to minority/women-owned business enterprises (MWBE). Anticipated suppliers include Corning Incorporated and Right Price Companies (RPC technology) of Syracuse, which are expected to supply Verizon with fiber-optic cable and other materials, per the announcement.