Banning residents are a major step closer to having more choice for their cable television services, thanks to a City Council vote July 25 in favor of allowing Verizon to offer its fiber-optic-powered FiOS TV in the community.

"This vote is great news for the residents of Banning," Verizon West Region President Tim McCallion said. "We commend the mayor, council members, city staff and city attorney for their dedication and hard work throughout this process. Competition drives innovation, value and service quality, and we will compete aggressively for business in Banning with our FiOS services, which are fueled by our lightning-fast fiber-optic network."

Banning, with approximately 9,000 households, is the 11th community in California to vote on a video-franchise application from Verizon.

"Verizon has worked hard to negotiate franchise agreements over the past two years, but so far only 11 communities have voted to approve an agreement," McCallion said. "All the votes have been favorable, but tens of thousands of consumers in other communities served by Verizon have been denied a new alternative to their cable company because the current video-franchising system is slow and inefficient. Californians deserve a state-based franchising process that will accelerate competition, bringing lower prices and improved technology."

The California Assembly voted 77-0 to pass legislation that would move franchising to the state level. The bill is currently in the state Senate, where it received a unanimous vote from the Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee.

Verizon already offers FiOS TV in Beaumont and Murrieta and plans to launch the service later this year in Hermosa Beach, Apple Valley, Lake Elsinore, Temecula and Manhattan Beach. Verizon also has franchise agreements with Camarillo, Perris and (pending final council approval) Malibu. No launch date has been set yet for Banning.