Verizon executives heralded the arrival of its FiOS broadband network in Newark with the opening today of a new store in the city's Central Ward that will showcase the all-fiber television and internet services.
Newark Deputy Mayor Stefan Pryor joined with Verizon executives and other city officials, including Central Ward Councilman Charles Bell and North Ward Councilman Anibal Ramos, to cut the ribbon on the new store at 198 West Market St. in the University Plaza shopping center.
"This is just another sign, and a very important one, that Verizon is bringing its resources to our neighborhoods, providing its wares and its products to our citizens," said Pryor, who called Verizon one of the most committed corporate citizens in the city.
The new FiOS store offers all Verizon products, and customers can make purchases and bill payments, upgrade their service and exchange their equipment. The store is open Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
"We have about close to 100,000 households in Newark who will ultimately be served by our FiOS products but are served today by our phone and our high speed Internet products," said Mary Yarbrough, Verizon vice president of marketing and sales for the Mid-Atlantic region.
She said Verizon plans to build FiOS out to all 93,000 households in the Newark area over the next five to six years.
"One of the things I like about this is that we're conveniently located, public transportation can easily reach here," Yarbrough said. "And you know, it's not the easiest thing in Newark to have parking."
She said that Verizon employs about 850 people in Newark, the headquarters of Verizon New Jersey, with a payroll exceeding $57 million. In addition, she said the company awarded more than $800,000 last year to Newark community groups, schools, arts and culture organizations and faith-based organizations.
"Our building downtown at 540 Broad Street has been here since 1929 so Verizon has long been committed to this area," Yarbrough said. "So I think this is just today's indication of our continuing investment in this area, and obviously for the next four years building up FiOS is a big deal, a very big deal for the city of Newark."
Sam Delgado, vice president of external affairs for Verizon New Jersey, explained that FiOS is currently available to one third of Newark households and the company is working on building FiOS in the Ironbound section of Newark as well as the Central Ward.
"When we were looking for a site here in Newark to have a local presence center here, we looked around, we really wanted to get it out of the downtown area and into one of the wards," said Delgado, a Newark resident who also serves on the board of the Brick City Development Corporation.
FiOS, which is available in 348 other New Jersey municipalities, is built on an advanced all-fiber network, allowing superior, high-definition picture quality for television and high-speed internet service.
Mayor Cory Booker said Verizon's investment in an all-fiber network that will reach everyone of the city's wards is significant for Newark's future.
"Together with Verizon we are bridging the digital divide and are building a stronger, safer and prouder city," Booker said.
Customers who sign up for FiOS triple play receive 335 all digital channels, more than 70 HD and 23 Sports Pak channels, up to 15 Mbps downloads and 5 Mbps uploads internet service and digital voice service for $89.99 a month, guaranteed for 24 months. New customers can also choose a free multi-room or standard DVR for six months or one of several movie-channel packages free for six months.
For customers who need faster internet service, download speeds of up to 50 Mbps are available.
Retail Sales Representative Monika McPherson, a lifelong Newark resident, said the new local presence store is also providing jobs for local residents like herself.
"This is a great opportunity to work in well-paying job right in my city," McPherson said.
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