Some Verona residents might have a new option for cable-television service in the near future.

Last week, Councilwoman Peggy Suchevich said Verizon representatives said they were interested in offering FiOS TV and Internet service to the borough. However, only 79 percent of the borough would be able to get the service.

Solicitor Craig Alexander said other communities are facing similar situations.

According to the Tribune-Review, Blawnox and Aspinwall recently signed contracts with Verizon, but a portion of their towns can't sign up for the FiOS service because of the location of lines.

Alexander said he looked at a map of where it would be offered in Verona.

"I don't know what area won't get it, but when I looked at the map, it looked like mostly everyone would," he said. "Their 79 percent might be conservative."

Officials authorized Alexander to negotiate a franchise agreement with Verizon for the FiOS service. Currently, residents are serviced by Comcast.

"Residents then would have a choice," he said. "From my point of view, any amount of competition is good competition. Certainly, it's sad that all of Verona won't have the choice.

"It's competition, so hopefully it drives down the prices."

Suchevich stressed that council doesn't control who will get the FiOS service.

"That's completely up to Verizon," she said.

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