Verizon Takes FiOS to 18,000 Apartments by Yearend

Targeting density with its FiOS deployment, Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) today announced a deal with apartment complex owner Southern Management Corp. to provide Internet and TV to more than 18,000 apartments in Maryland and Virginia by yearend.

Multi-dwelling units (MDU) provide an alluring opportunity for landline TV providers as serving one structure typically provides the possibility of signing up multiple customers for service and/or service bundles.

Density also presents challenges when attempted on a much larger scale as Verizon has encountered in the Big Apple and with plans to deploy FiOS TV in Washington, D.C.

In some instances, MDU are the first to receive telco TV service in a community with individual residences turned up at a later date.

MDUs were considered off limits to some until a key ruling struck down exclusive deals between MDU owners and a single TV provider, opening the door for competitors such as Verizon in many markets. Verizon did not say if any of the properties are already served by cablecos or other landline-based TV and Internet providers.

Under the agreement with Southern Management, Verizon eventually will bring its services to all of the company's approximately 24,000 residential apartments in Maryland and Virginia, according to the telco TV provider. The telco did not say when this feat will be accomplished.

Southern Management claims to be the largest privately owned residential property management company in the mid-Atlantic region. The Virginia-based company provides apartment communities to residents, including student, military and corporate housing.

“Reliable and fast Internet service is a requirement in today's multi-tasking society, and our communities offer residents access to the latest technology on the market," said Ron Frank, president and COO of Southern Management, in prepared comments.

Like Verizon, he did not say if any of the company’s properties are already being served by cablecos or other landline-based TV and Internet providers.

Verizon FiOS Internet service can deliver Internet access with maximum downstream connection speeds of up to 50 mbps and an upstream speed of up to 20 Mbps. The telco claims its FiOS TV service has more than 500 total channels, including more than 100 high-definition channels in Maryland and Virginia.

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