The Rhode Island Division of Public Utilities and Carriers recently gave Verizon approval to offer FiOS TV in Cable Service Area 4, which includes Pawtucket.
Verizon’s FiOS TV service is now being offered in several areas of the city, “starting on Mineral Spring Avenue to the downtown area — including Lonsdale, parts of Darlington and the Dexter (Street) area,” Verizon spokeswoman Lillian McGee said.
The service should be extended into Central Falls by the end of the year. The service will be available in “the rest of Pawtucket, including Beverage Hill and Oak Hill” by the first quarter of 2009, as well as several areas of Cumberland and Lincoln.”
FiOS TV is already available in 16 Rhode Island communities – Cranston, Coventry, East Greenwich, Exeter, Foster, Glocester, Johnston, Narragansett, North Kingstown, North Providence, Providence, South Kingstown, Smithfield, Warwick, West Greenwich and West Warwick.
The service is also available in parts of 13 other states: New York, New Jersey, California, Delaware, Texas, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Virginia and Washington.
According to Verizon, Rhode Island residents who are FiOS TV-eligible now have the option to trim their monthly bills by bundling FiOS TV service, FiOS Internet service and the Verizon Freedom Value unlimited calling plan, all for $99.99 a month.
In addition, new customers who subscribe to FiOS TV between now and Oct. 31 will receive their choice of a year’s free use of either a high-definition (HD) digital video recorder (DVR) or an HD Home Media DVR.  Verizon is also offering new FiOS TV customers, or existing customers who upgrade to a bundled package, one free month of HBO and Cinemax, which includes the latest hit movies, documentaries and original programming from more than 25 premium channels and access to hundreds of titles on video-on-demand (VOD).  New customers who take advantage of this offer will save between $200 and $260 the first year, depending upon the DVR customers choose.
Information on packages and prices is available at www.verizon.com/fiostv.  Rhode Island customers also can call 1-888-GET-FIOS (888-438-3467) to see if they qualify to order FiOS TV.
Verizon explained that “specially trained Verizon technicians will install the service and acquaint subscribers with FiOS TV features and services. Verizon is waiving the installation fee for up to three existing TV outlets, and there is no charge to install a needed optical network terminal at the subscriber’s home. Charges for other installation services, such as additional outlets, may apply. Verizon provides 24/7 technical assistance by phone from its Fiber Solutions Centers in Providence and other cities.”