Verizon began offering its FiOS TV service to consumers in Anne Arundel County, providing amazingly sharp pictures and sound and a true choice for subscription television and On Demand programming via the company's all-digital, fiber-optic network.

Verizon is the only company building a large-scale, all-digital fiber-optic communications network directly to customers' homes across the country.

"This is great news for consumers in Anne Arundel County who have waited a long time to see even greater competition between cable-TV providers," said William R. Roberts, president of Verizon Maryland. "Customers who liked what FiOS did for their Internet connection will love what it does for their TV. We've harnessed the speed and capacity of broadband with the power of broadcast to create a revolutionary, new entertainment experience."

Verizon is now taking orders for FiOS TV in parts of the following county locations: Arden on the Severn, Arnold, Arundel Beach, Beverly Beach, Cape Arthur, Cape St. John, Chartwell, Chesapeake Oaks, Crofton, Crofton Meadows, Crofton Park, Crownsville, Davidsonville, Elmhurst, Epping Forest, Glen Burnie, Glen Burnie Heights, Herald Harbor, Heritage Harbor, Iglehart, Indian Landing, Londontowne, Magothy, Mago Vista Beach, Millersville, Old Mill, Palisades on the Severn, Parole, Reidel Estates, Riva, Riva Farms, Rolling Knolls, Saddle Ridge, Selby on the Bay, Severn, Sherwood Forest, Shipley's Choice, Shoreham Beach, South River Colony, South River Heights, St. Margarets, Sunrise Beach, Tidewater Colony, Triton Beach, Walden, Wilelinor Estates and Woodland Beach.

Verizon obtained a video franchise in Anne Arundel County in July. The company offers FiOS TV in Howard County and Bowie, and is negotiating a video franchise with Laurel and several other Maryland municipalities. Currently, Verizon has video franchises covering approximately 3 million households in nine states and more than 100 franchise areas. As the fiber network is fully deployed in franchise areas, Verizon will provide these consumers with the opportunity to choose FiOS TV. In addition to Maryland, Verizon currently offers the service in parts of California, Florida, Massachusetts, New York, Texas and Virginia.