RCN recommits to Milton

Cable company RCN Corp. has committed to offer its triple-play package of video, Internet, and phone to two-thirds of Milton households by the end of the year.

Last night, at a Board of Selectman meeting, the town agreed to extend RCN’s cable franchise until 2015, which the company said will allow it to recoup its investment.

The company, which has not expanded to new Massachusetts communities since emerging from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2004, previously said that Milton expansion plans were off the books because of the high cost of getting access to utility poles.

But RCN chief executive Peter D. Aquino said in a recent interview that the company hoped to begin offering service in Milton and Dorchester this year.

Currently, Milton customers have only one choice for cable – Comcast Corp.

“It’s good for the community and it gives people choices,” said Milton town administrator Kevin Mearn. “In the long run, it spurs on the competitive nature of business and that’s always good for consumers.”
(By Carolyn Y. Johnson, Globe staff)