Boston Edison Co. (BE) and RCN Inc., a subsidiary of C-TEC Corp., have announced what they say is the "most comprehensive agreement in the nation" between an electric utility and a broadband network company to provide one-stop shopping for energy and telecommunications services.
The two companies have signed an agreement to form a joint venture to provide local- and long-distance telephone service, video, high-speed internet access, and eventually, energy-management and property-monitoring services. The companies will start services in Boston, expanding later into surrounding markets. The cost of creating the BE/RCN telecommunications network for a population of over 1.6 million in the greater Boston area is projected at $300 million. BE already has about 200 miles of fiber-optic cable in place.
According to BE chairman and chief executive officer Thomas J. May: "The synergy inherent in these emerging competitive markets will allow us to provide new and existing customers with the broadest array of low-cost, high-value services." (em LAB t
Lori A. Burkhart is an associate legal editor; Joseph F. Schuler, Jr. is an associate editor; and Jamie B. Simon is editorial assistant for PUBLIC UTILITIES FORTNIGHTLY.