Although residents of the village have been able to subscribe to Verizon telephone and Internet services for some time, FIOS television service has not been available. The service has emerged as a competitor to cable television and has been expanding across the region, with the exception of several other south shore villages which, like Rockville Centre, are in talks with Verizon. "We're glad that Verizon is finally talking to us because it's been a year essentially (since April 2007 to January 2008 ) that their negotiating team hadn't gotten back to the village," said Rockville Centre Mayor Mary Bossart. "The negotiations are active now and we're certainly hoping that things will progress expeditiously. The reason I use that word is that frankly, I have no way of gauging precisely how long it will take. I know that it's been frustrating for the residents but I but I ask for their patience because I'd like them to consider who is really interested in their economic welfare, the Village of Rockville Centre or Verizon."
A spokesman for the village said, "Negotiations are active now, they're talking, but there's no way to really predict when the negotiations will conclude. The village cannot comment on any of the substantive issues under negotiation, but we hope for an early outcome. "
And Verizon spokesman John Bonomo also declined to elaborate on specifics of the negotiations but issued a statement saying, "As a policy, we do not discuss details of the discussions. However, our goal is to obtain a video franchise from the village, so that we can bring choice and competition to the traditional monopoly TV market for as many consumers as possible."
