WASHINGTON, D.C. –Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Representative Ed Markey (D-Mass.) said today that they would send a letter to Verizon Communications, asking the company to finish installing a state-wide network that would allow Massachusetts residents the ability to access TV, phone, and high-speed Internet services. The company announced this week that it was suspending the effort, and tried to blame the state’s regulatory structure for the departure.

A copy of the letter can be found here: Letter to Verizon Communications re Mass network.pdf

“Verizon is investing in states from coast to coast, and I really would like to see that investment continue in Massachusetts,” Kerry said. “I seriously hope that this is not part of some cynical bargaining effort by Verizon, and that the company will return to local communities and continue investing in this network. I intend to work with state and local officials to see how we can insure that high-speed internet access is available to everyone.”

“Local communities in Massachusetts have been waiting a long time to get high speed connections to the Internet,” Rep. Markey said. “These cities and towns are eager to work with Verizon to grant franchises so that their citizens can receive new cable competition and access to the innovative, Web-based services that high speed broadband can provide to residential consumers and businesses alike.  I hope Verizon’s announcement doesn’t reflect a lack of competitive pressure on the company which is permitting it to summarily cease this investment in Massachusetts.  I hope Verizon reverses course – consumers deserve competitive choice and good faith efforts to deploy these new services.”

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For Immediate Release: April 20, 2007                                                                                 Contact: Will Huntington 202.225.2836