Peabody cable board seeks competition increase

PEABODY – Members of the Peabody Cable Commission will meet with regional representatives from Verizon tonight to further discuss their intent to increase competition for residents and business owners.”We’ve invited them in to try and get an update on where they are in providing FiOs to Peabody,” said Milt Burnett, commission member and superintendent of schools.Burnett said he and his Commission have been trying to bring another cable service provider to the city for at least six years. He said there was some interest from RCN, but financial setbacks prevented the company from going any further. Burnett hopes that Verizon could fill that void and give customers an option other than Comcast, which is currently the reigning cable television service provider.This will be the second time since last year that the two parties have met.Stan Usovicz, regional director of External Affairs, will speak on the company’s behalf.Usovicz said that Verizon maintains a strong interest in Peabody, but must first work out the finances before jumping into an agreement.”It is very costly and very complex,” he said. “We view Peabody as a tremendous opportunity for us; however, in these times, everyone tends to be a little more cautious than in the past.”Burnett said the Commission’s jurisdiction is strictly cable television, but will use the meeting as an opportunity to push the idea of providing Internet and telephone services to the city, as well. He understands the financial burden that comes with setting up the fiber optic connection, but believes that Peabody would provide the company with a greater revenue.”Peabody is a community that we look forward to doing business in at some point in the future,” said Usovicz. “As we’re sitting here now, that decision has not yet been made. But, we are anxious to come into the community as much as they’re anxious to have us.”The meeting tonight will take place inside the City Council chambers in Wiggin Auditorium at 7 p.m.