Philly renews contract with Verizon, plans to bring Internet to 183 rec. Center

Rec. centers across the city will soon be a little more connected as Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker has announced that the city has renewed a contract with Verizon that includes an agreement to bring Internet access to 183 rec. center, and 261 other city-owned properties.

“This landmark agreement is the result of the negotiations, cooperation and hard work of the Parker Administration — and the previous Kenney Administration,” Parker said in a statement about the renewal. “We have listened to the voices of our residents, consulted with our experts, and created a plan that we believe reflects our collective needs as a city. We are proud to provide light-speed broadband access to our residents who use our recreation centers.”

The deal, which was set to expire next month, was originally signed in 2009 to provide cable and Internet services to the city. Now, city officials said, the contract has been renewed for five years and will help restore Internet connectivity. centers and other properties to ensure that “they remain vibrant hubs of activity and provide digital inclusion for generations to come.”

Officials said the terms of the franchise agreement are:

• Verizon will continue to pay the city the maximum franchise fees allowed by federal law (five percent of gross revenue).
• Verizon will provide $8 million over the five-year life of the agreement in grant funding to support public, educational and government grants (PEG Grants) to Internet access providers. This includes PhillyCAM, the School District of Philadelphia and Channel 64.
• Verizon will also provide a $500,000 grant for technology initiatives related to its use of ‘dark fiber’ – another technological innovation for the city.
• Verizon will provide broadband Internet access to 183 city-owned recreation centers within two years and up to 261 additional city-owned properties at the city’s discretion.

“Our care centers must stay current with modern technology in order to engage communities and provide youth with the resources they need,” Susan Slawson, commissioner of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, said in a statement. “Verizon’s franchise agreement renewal will be transformative for our 183 collection centers and the neighborhoods they serve.”