By Steven Rosenberg, Globe Staff | March 31, 2005
Coming soon to northern Massachusetts: Cable competition between Comcast and Verizon.
Verizon, the voice, wireless, and data telecommunications company, has begun installing a fiber-optic network that it hopes will attract cable television subscribers in Lynn, Lynnfield, Topsfield, Nahant, Swampscott, and West Newbury. The network will also provide phone service and Internet service up to 7.5 times faster than Comcast's entry-level package.
Verizon's announcement marks the first time a company has offered to build a separate cable television system in more than one community north of Boston. Currently Wakefield is the only community north of Boston where more than one cable company operates. RCN has been competing with Comcast there for several years.