Verizon sends mixed messages on need for Mass. state franchise legislation

Last month, I noted local government franchising doesn't seem to be slowing down telcos like Verizon who have backed legislation in various states that would put the state instead of local governments in charge of issuing franchises. I pointed to Verizon's progress in New York and also questioned why given the slow pace of telco broadband infrastructure deployment there would be any need to bypass the locals in the first place.

The telcos complain it takes too long to deploy new broadband infrastructure to support IPTV (Internet Protocol Over TV) when they have to negotiate agreements with local governments one jurisdiction at a time.

This week, The Boston Globe reports Verizon officials concede that local governments in Massachusetts are not slowing Verizon's rollout of its fiber to the home FiOS infrastructure, undercutting Verizon's claim state franchise legislation is needed in that state.