Verizon is actually expanding FiOS again, with new fiber in Boston

For a few years, it seemed pretty clear that Verizon wouldn't be expanding its fiber-based FiOS network.

That changed today with an announcement from Boston, Massachusetts that Verizon will be "replacing its copper-based infrastructure with a state-of-the-art fiber-optic network platform across the city." Verizon will invest more than $300 million in the project over six years, and the city will provide expedited permitting to speed things along.

"[T]he project will begin in Dorchester, West Roxbury and the Dudley Square neighborhood of Roxbury in 2016, followed by Hyde Park, Mattapan, and other areas of Roxbury and Jamaica Plain," Mayor Martin Walsh's announcement said.

Verizon set up a webpage for Boston residents and businesses to register interest. This will help Verizon determine which neighborhoods to prioritize in construction. Verizon will be competing for customers against cable companies Comcast and RCN.

FiOS is already present in many Massachusetts suburbs. Strictly speaking, it's also available in Boston, but only in very limited areas, the Boston Herald reported in October. City officials at that time were practically begging Verizon to expand FiOS, but Verizon VP Peter Bowman told Boston's City Council, “We never said we would go everywhere, and we don’t have any intention of expanding FiOS here or anywhere else. We continue to be focused on building out where we have contractual agreements.”

Verizon decided to stop bringing FiOS to new cities in 2010. In January 2015, the company said it was "getting to the end of our committed build around FiOS." Verizon has also sold some of its fiber and copper networks to Frontier Communications but has held onto its wireline networks in the Northeast US.

Verizon didn't announce FiOS expansions in any other cities today, so this could just be a one-off project instead of a signal that Verizon will expand FiOS into other new areas. We asked Verizon if it is looking for other cities to expand in, and the company told us that right now it has a "laser focus on Boston." But Verizon also said, "we expect to learn a lot from this strong partnership that may be helpful in the future."

Building fiber in Boston won't just improve home and business Internet service. The project "will also improve wireless services in Boston by enabling Verizon to attach wireless equipment to city street lights and utility poles, helping residents get fast, reliable mobile service," the city's announcement said.

Verizon still has to go through the city's cable television licensing process.

Boston may need to be vigilant to ensure that Verizon delivers on its fiber promises. In New York City, officials claim that Verizon hasn't completed required fiber builds and that it has demanded exclusive agreements from landlords before agreeing to connect certain residential complexes. Verizon and city officials have also argued over the definition of the word "pass," an important matter since Verizon is required to pass all households in New York City with fiber.