"With today's approval of Verizon's franchise to provide citywide cable television service, the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) has marked a seminal moment in the cable industry in New York City that is long overdue," said Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Robert C. Lieber. "Now, for the first time, direct competition will exist among New York City's cable companies, affording each of the City's three million households not only a true choice of providers and competitive prices but also a host of benefits associated with the agreement with Verizon, including enhanced consumer protection and a wide variety of service offerings. I thank PSC Chairman Garry Brown and the PSC Commissioners, as well as the New York City Franchise and Concession Review Committee for diligently considering and approving this agreement for New Yorkers."

"Verizon's commitment to the City goes beyond basic cable television infrastructure," said Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications (DoITT) Commissioner Paul J. Cosgrave. "The company's contribution to Public, Educational and Governmental (PEG) Channels, a Technology Education and Municipal Facilities Grant, as well as its enhancements to the City's own institutional network represent a historic technological investment in New York City. I am thrilled we were able to help arrive at this new unprecedented, municipal cable agreement - one befitting the greatest City in the world."