Camas approves deal to let Verizon provide cable TV service

East Clark County residents will soon be able to change the channel on Comcast.

The Camas City Council voted unanimously on Monday to allow local Verizon to use fiber-optic phone lines to compete with the traditional cable company. The Washougal City Council will likely vote to do the same on Dec. 1. Service could be available by mid-December, according to officials with both cities.

“This is a big deal, because forever we’ve only had one provider,” said Camas Mayor Paul Dennis. “This gives our constituents more options. I hope both companies succeed in this community. It’s always nice to have choices.”

The city’s agreements with each of the two competing cable companies are identical, Dennis said. Comcast and Verizon will both collect the existing customer franchise fee, and to pay that fee to the city.

Washougal leaders will consider a similar plan, which will allow Comcast and Verizon to each set their own rates without local oversight, said Nabiel Shawa, city administrator.

Verizon has been installing new fiber lines in east Clark County for months as it upgraded the community’s tech infrastructure.

Camas is the 18th community in Washington to grant Verizon a video franchise since the service became available in the state in September.

Verizon looks forward to reaching similar agreements with other Washington communities, David S. Valdez, senior vice president for Verizon’s Pacific Northwest region, said in a statement released Tuesday

“We always believe competition is a good thing, and we think it’s important to have a level playing field,” said Theressa Davis, spokeswoman for Comcast. She declined to comment further.

Courtney Sherwood covers utilities and telecommunications for The Columbian. Reach her at 360-735-4553 or courtney.sherwood@columbian.com.