Free wifi to be available at all Philly rec centers under new cable franchise agreement with Verizon

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — “Fast internet access is coming to a neighborhood near you,” said Mayor Cherelle Parker at a ceremony Monday celebrating a new cable franchise agreement with Verizon.

Parker signed the five-year agreement in May but wanted to highlight the benefits it will bring the city, including free wifi at every rec center and 260 other city-owned locations. She says franchise fees are expected to bring in $6-7 million a year and $8 million in grants to the school district and public access nonprofits.

“This is what a successful franchise agreement looks like,” she said.

Verizon Vice President Eric Reed was also pleased with the deal.

“Verizon looks forward to leveraging those digital assets and tools to support educational, public safety and smart city initiatives that we can all be very proud of,” Reed said.

A big advantage for Verizon this time around was that negotiations were smooth and drama-free. The last agreement eight years ago featured former Councilmember Bobby Henon holding up the franchise and accusing Verizon of bad faith.

Federal prosecutors later said Henon was trying to curry favor with the Communication Workers union, which was in a contract dispute with Verizon in exchange for a campaign contribution. A jury acquitted Henon of the charge.

Parks and Rec Commissioner Sue Slawson called the agreement a “game changer”

“No one will be left behind because they don’t have internet at home because they can come to a neighborhood rec center and use what we’re providing for free.”