There are some big discussions currently going on in the state of New Jersey where Verizon is working to get legislation through that would allow them to compete in the television space, something they're not permitted to do yet in the garden state. Verizon's television service would be carried on Verizon's new high-speed fiber-optic broadband service - FiOS and includes 17 high-definition (HD) channels.

An article at NorthJersey.com has some interesting information on this hotly debated topic. The latter item is a counterpoint by a Newark official who opposes what Verizon wants to do to get its services into the homes of New Jerseyans, something that the cable companies are in agreement with.

Comcast it seems, doesn't want Verizon competing with their lucrative cable TV service. It's kind of ironic since Comcast stole a lot of broadband DSL business from Verizon when they announced their zippy cable modem service. I say let Verizon offer television service over their FiOS network. More competitors means more choice for consumers - which usually leads to better service and price.