It’s big! This network transformation project is positioned to bring fiber across the city over the next 5-6 years, enabling advanced solutions for consumers and businesses alike. Powered by a state-of-the-art fiber network, Verizon Fios, improved 4G performance, 5G wireless advancement, enhanced Ethernet solutions and Smart City applications are just part of what will be enabled by this significant infrastructure investment.

There’s never been a better time. Boston is a leader in supporting and growing the innovation economy, and we have a creative, new approach to make Boston one of the most technologically-advanced cities in America. Developing a fiber platform like this positions Boston for current and future technologies and services across the city, and allows us to transition from our existing copper network technology where it makes sense. This approach gives Verizon and the city flexibility and the ability to innovate, develop and deliver services with a mix of technologies. In short, Boston deserves it!

Fiber is a great technology equalizer and the benefits are numerous. Besides residents and businesses having access to the best broadband, wireless and entertainment services available, This investment is about economic growth and development, attraction and retention of talent and college grads, stronger neighborhoods and communities, and smart city applications to help everything run just a little more smoothly.

Our goal is to bring fiber across the city and reach as many customers as is possible. For Verizon Fios services specifically, customer interest is an important factor and we do have thresholds that must be met, so see the Fiber Zones questions for more detail on that. Experience also tells us that in some cases we may not be able to everyone who wants our service. For example, there will be some situations like permission or access restrictions, extensive costs that make the build financially impractical, or buildings that are locked into long-term contracts with cable companies. We think those will be few and far between, and based on a highly specific set of circumstances.

We will start building the network in the summer of 2016, and expect to offer services in select areas by early 2017. We estimate the build throughout the city will take 5-6 years, as we complete one area and expand to others. This is a big project, but Fiber Zones allows for more rapid deployment.

The city has been divided into 4 Groups – A, B, C and D – and each group will be sub-divided into Fiber Zones. These Fiber Zones are to help us break the city up in a very practical way for planning, engineering and deployment, and they allow us to prioritize our build plans based in part on customer interest/pre-registration for Fios services. Within a Group, customers help us decide the priority order of the build!

In collaboration with the city, we’ve agreed that Group A will be built first, and Group B will follow, both in the first couple of years of the build. Groups C and D will follow in a few years, but we have not finalized which area will be built next. Customer interest will factor into our decision, so make sure you register to be notified once Fiber Zones are defined for those areas!

If you are in Group A or B, when you register to let us know you are interested in getting Fios at your home or business, that’s a vote for your Fiber Zone! The prioritization of our build within a Group will be based primarily on the customer interest/demand, balanced with some other operational considerations. Each address can be voted for just once, so you’ll want to get all your neighbors to sign up, too. We know that competitive spirit in Boston is alive and well, and we look forward to seeing who wants Fios the most!

Voting for Group A goes until 7/3/16, and Group B will close 9/4/16, but registrations for early notification will remain open until Fios is available.

If you are in Group C or D, go ahead and register, and you’ll be the first to know when Fiber Zone voting opens up for your area.

Just input your address and register your contact information on the voting section on this site, and we will tell you your Fiber Zone and show you the leaderboard for your Group. You can check back any time to keep track of what Zone is going to get Fios first!

Yes. A minimum threshold of customer registration is required in a specific Fiber Zone for us to build, unless there are other business reasons for the fiber network expansion in the area. All the more reason to ensure all your neighbors register/vote!

We will keep you informed of our progress and when your address is able to order via the contact information you provide in the registration/voting process.

Verizon will not share your personal information with companies, organizations or individuals outside of Verizon, except in the situations described in the Verizon Privacy Policy. You can read more about the information Verizon may collect from users or from the use of Verizon Fios services, at www.verizon.com/about/privacy/fios-privacy-policy

The fiber network build in Boston will enable solutions for consumers, businesses, and the city itself.

Verizon Fios. 100% fiber optics gives Fios the edge to deliver the best Internet and entertainment services available. With Internet speeds up to 500Mbps in BOTH directions, it’s something cable just can’t match. Fios is also one of the most awarded services in broadband/entertainment history, and just one example, we were rated #1 for overall quality in the 2015 American Customer Satisfaction Index.

For Fios TV, Verizon needs to apply for a cable TV license to offer television services. We will work with the City to negotiate a license and hope to be successful in order to be able to offer Fios TV along with Fios Internet.

Wireless. When you think of wireless services, you may not realize how essential the wireline network is in providing the fast speeds and strong connectivity you’ve come to expect from Verizon Wireless. Fiber enables us to densify connection points, and provide fast and consistent service. Beyond improving current services, the new fiber-based platform for Boston will provide the technology to deliver advanced wireless services, including faster implementation of next-generation services under development, such as 5G. 5G wireless service is projected to provide 50 times the throughput of current 4G LTE, latency in the single milliseconds, and the ability to handle exponentially more Internet-connected devices.

Smart Cities. Innovations in machine-to-machine (M2M) technology and wireless networks are helping public and private organizations gain better insight into the needs of their communities. Equipped with accurate and near real-time information, cities like Boston will be able to develop strategies to improve their infrastructure, plan for long-term growth, create more energy efficient environments, and keep people safe. Verizon is partnering with the City of Boston on sensor trials to control traffic signals and help decrease congestion. Other applications available include smart signage for public safety notifications, smart waste management solutions, smart lighting in pedestrian areas, and more.

Business. For businesses, especially large enterprises, faster connections into the network enable them to compete in a market where milliseconds matter. The fiber network in Boston will enable Verizon to deliver flexible and scalable business solutions, including a range of speed options up to 10 GigE, burstable and tiered pricing options, and QoS options for network traffic prioritization, all complementing Verizon service offerings for security, VPN, VoIP, cloud and web hosting.

When the network is completed in an area and we’re ready to take orders, the Fios pricing and offers in Boston will align to our strong promotional rates in the Massachusetts area available at that time. We offer a wide array of bundles and packages that meet the diverse needs of our consumer and business customers.

We know not all questions about our Boston plans were answered here, so you may send inquiries and comments to bostonfiber@verizon.com.