Telecommunications Competition in 'Best Interest of Residents'

Hillsborough residents could have more options for Internet providers, since the Township Committee allowed two companies to install cable on existing utility poles.

The companies, Cablevision Lightpath NJ, Inc., and Lightower Fiber Networks, Inc., approached the township requesting permission to run cable existing poles throughout the township. The work would use poles and conduits owned by Verizon, Inc. and PSE&G that are considered public easements.

“It is in the best interest of our residents to promote competition between telecommunications,” Deputy Mayor Carl Suraci said at the Sept. 13 Township Committee meeting.

The resolutions allowing the companies to run cables passed with three voting in favor of it and one abstention. Mayor Gloria McCauley was absent from the meeting, and Committeeman Bob Wagner—who works for Comcast—abstained from the vote.

As part of the work, Cablevision Lightpath is required to post a $25,000 bond, and Lightower is required to post a $2,500 cash escrow with the township's Chief Financial Officer, Nancy Haberle.

Suraci did not anticipate any significant road closures as a result of the cable installation. However, he also noted that he was unsure when the companies would begin working on the lines.

According to its company website, Cablevision Lightpath, of Jericho, New York, includes digital television, voice and high-speed Internet among its offerings.  It owns Optimum-branded services including Optimum Online and Optimum WiFi, IO TV and Optimum Lightpath, its business communications subsidiary. In addition, it holds the News 12 Networks, Newsday Media Group and Star Community Publishing, which produces weekly shopper circulars.

Lightower Fiber Networks, of Boxborough, MA, offers networking and broadband Internet services.

Neither company returned calls for comment by Hillsborough Patch’s deadline.