Verizon today announced plans to build a fiber-optic network that will deliver faster data speeds and crystal-clear voice to residence and business customers in Pittsburgh – and also has the capability to offer a full suite of future video services. The company will seek a franchise agreement from the local authority before offering cable service in a particular community.

Known as fiber-to-the-premises, or FTTP, the fiber-optic network uses hair-thin strands of fiber and optical electronics to directly link homes and businesses to Verizon’s network. The new network replaces the traditional copper-wire connections and will unleash a range of advanced communication services.

Verizon has begun building its FTTP network in the following locations in and around Pittsburgh: Aleppo, Baldwin, Beechview, Bell Acres, Bridgeville, Brookline, Castle Shannon, Cecil, Collier, Dormont, Franklin Park, Glenfield, Green Tree, Hampton, Haysville, Indiana Township, Kilbuck, Leet, McCandless, Mt. Lebanon, O’Hara, Ohio Township, Osbourne, Ross, Scott, Sewickley, Sewickley Heights, Sewickley Hills, Shaler, South Fayette, Upper St. Clair and West View.

Residents will be notified in advance with letters and door-hangers when underground construction is scheduled in their neighborhoods. To lessen inconvenience and reduce the impact on local streets, Verizon and its contractors use the latest installation techniques and existing underground pathways or utility poles, or both, whenever possible. Residents can call Verizon’s contractor, Quanta Services, toll-free on 877-451-3312 with any questions regarding underground construction.

Although the use of fiber optics is common for long-distance and inter-city communications throughout the telecommunications industry, Verizon is one of the first major telecom companies to begin using it to directly connect homes and businesses to the network on a widespread scale.

Fiber offers tremendous advantages to network operators, in addition to new and superior services for customers. For example, fiber offers reliable service in stretches of wet weather that can affect copper-based networks.

"Verizon’s fully fiber-optic network is technically superior to other communication platforms because it offers faster data speeds than currently available, as well as voice and future video capability," said Amy McDevitt, Verizon market area president for Pennsylvania, Delaware and West Virginia. "Our fiber engineering creates a network that requires less day-to-day maintenance and allows for faster repairs."

The FTTP initiative represents a natural extension of the more than 10 million miles of fiber-optic cable Verizon already has in place and extends the high capacity, speed and quality of fiber directly to the customer’s doorstep. With FTTP technology, Verizon can easily add more capacity, higher speeds or future video services.

For more information about Verizon FiOS, see our Verizon FiOS category or our article, "Have you caught the FiOS fever?"