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Cable Options in Boston

The City's cable licensing process gives consumers more options. We’re making sure residents have choices when it comes to cable services.

Have something to say about the City's cable providers? Want to get added to our distribution list? You can call us at 617-635-3112 or email cable@boston.gov.

Cable companies

We work with every cable company in the City on licensing agreements. You can find documents related to Verizon, Comcast, and Astound (RCN) at the further down on this page.

Verizon

The City amended the Verizon cable television license in July 2018. The carrier has been expanding its service to offer Fios in all neighborhoods in Boston. Learn more in our press release. We also created a map of Verizon Fios service areas.

Comcast

We extended Comcast's cable license with the City through 2021. As part of the deal, Comcast will continue to offer discounts to seniors with existing plans. They will also offer new senior customers discounted internet services.

Astound (RCN)

Astound (RCN) offers cable and Internet services in some neighborhoods in the City of Boston. ​Astound has a basic rate for seniors for $10 a month, and an overall Basic Rate of $17.50. Call 1.800.427.8686 for more information.

Cable documents

Cable documents

Latest updates

Latest updates

The City of Boston held a license transfer and renewal hearing on behalf of the issuing authority for the Open Video System (OVS) License of RCN Telecom Services of Massachusetts, LLC. The hearing was held virtually on Wednesday, March 17, 2021, at 10 a.m. You can download a copy of the FCC Form 394.

The purpose of the hearing was to review the FCC Form 394 transfer request received by the City of Boston on December 4, 2020. The Form 394 seeks approval for a transfer of control of the OVS Licensee from Radiate Holdings, LP, to Stonepeak Infrastructure Partners (Stonepeak).

For more information, please call the Broadband and Cable Office at 617-635-3112 or email cable@boston.gov.

Watch the hearing

You can also read the hearing transcript and view the presentation materials.

The City of Boston will hold a cable television license renewal hearing on behalf of the issuing authority for the license renewal of Comcast of Boston, Inc. The meeting will be held virtually on Wednesday, March 24, 2021, at 10 a.m. We invite public comments.

To attend and/or to testify in the hearing:

Join Zoom Meeting

  • Meeting ID: 978 4274 5872
  • Passcode: Cable

The purpose of the hearing is to afford an opportunity for the City of Boston issuing authority for cable licensing to obtain public comment on the renewal of Comcast's license.  In reviewing a license for renewal, the issuing authority will consider the licensee’s:

  • management and technical expertise
  • financial capability, and
  • legal ability to operate a cable system.

Specifically, the issuing authority considers:

  • whether the cable operator has substantially complied with the material terms of the existing franchise and with applicable law, and
  • the quality of the cable operator’s service, including signal quality and response to consumer complaints.

Comcast of Boston, Inc., is the incumbent provider of one of the City's existing cable franchises since July 17, 2002. At that time, the transfer and amendment of the license was accepted from AT&T Corp.  

You will be able to find the hearing agenda and relevant materials, including a copy of the existing Comcast of Boston license, on this page. Members of the community can provide public comment. All comments submitted through 5 p.m. on March 26, 2021, will become part of the public record of the cable licensing hearing. Please note: All information submitted is considered a public record. That information can be released to anyone who inquires.

We will provide instructions for attending and participating in the virtual hearing on this page when that information is available. For more information, please call the Broadband and Cable Office at 617-635-3112 or email cable@boston.gov.

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