Verizon Reaches Tentative Deal With City

The city of Pittsburgh has reached a tentative agreement with Verizon to offer cable TV to city residents. Currently Comcast is the only cable company that offers cable service. The tentative agreement calls for Verizon to offer half of the city service within three years and the entire city within 6 years. The ten year deal must be approved by city council and the cable communications advisory committee. If approved Verizon will provide the city with a private fiber optic network between public safety buildings that will allow for communication in the event of an emergency. Verizon has also agreed to give a $700,000 grant for upgrades in equipment and additional channels for the city's cable bureau.