Cablevision 2012 Annual Report Download - page 17

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There can be no assurance that these or other existing, proposed, or as yet undeveloped technologies will
not become dominant in the future and render our cable television systems less profitable or even
obsolete.
High-Speed Data
Our high-speed data service offered in our New York metropolitan service area faces intense competition
from other providers of high-speed Internet access, including Verizon and AT&T. Our high-speed data
offering in our Optimum West service area, also branded Optimum Online, faces competition from
CenturyLink, Inc. ("CenturyLink"). In addition, DBS providers have tested the use of certain spectrum to
offer satellite-based high-speed data services. Cellular phone providers are also increasing the speeds of
their Internet access offerings, and the FCC has made other radio spectrum available for wireless high-
speed Internet access.
VoIP
Our VoIP service in our New York metropolitan service area, branded Optimum Voice, faces intense
competition from other providers of voice services, including carriers such as Verizon and AT&T. Our
VoIP service in our Optimum West service area, also branded Optimum Voice, faces competition from
other carriers, such as CenturyLink. We must also negotiate interconnection agreements with these
carriers. Our VoIP services also face competition from other competitive providers of voice services,
including wireless voice providers, as well as VoIP providers like Vonage that do not own networks but
can provide service to any person with a broadband connection.
Lightpath and the Bresnan CLECs
Lightpath operates as a competitive local exchange carrier ("CLEC") in the most competitive business
telecommunications market in the country and competes against the very largest telecommunications
companies - including incumbent local exchange carriers ("ILECs"), other CLECs, and long distance
companies. More specifically, Lightpath faces substantial competition from Verizon and AT&T, which
are the dominant providers of local telephone and broadband services in their respective service areas.
We also operate CLECs in each state within the Optimum West service area (the "Bresnan CLECs"),
which compete against ILECs and Century Link. ILECs have significant advantages over Lightpath and
the Bresnan CLECs, including greater capital resources, an existing fully operational local network, and
long-standing relationships with customers.
While Lightpath and the Bresnan CLECs compete with the ILECs, they also enter into interconnection
agreements with ILECs so that their customers can make and receive calls to and from customers served
by the ILECs and other telecommunications providers. Federal and state law and regulations require
ILECs to enter into such agreements and provide such facilities and services, at prices subject to
regulation. The specific price, terms and conditions of each agreement, however, depend on the outcome
of negotiations between Lightpath and the Bresnan CLECs with each ILEC. Agreements are also subject
to approval by the state regulatory commissions. Lightpath has entered into interconnection agreements
with Verizon for New York, New Jersey, and portions of Connecticut, and with AT&T for portions of
Connecticut, which have been approved by the respective state commissions. Lightpath also entered into
interconnection agreements with regional carriers in New York and New Jersey. The Bresnan CLECs
also have interconnection agreements in their service areas. These agreements, like all interconnection
agreements, are for limited terms and upon expiration are subject to renegotiation, potential arbitration,
and approval under the laws in effect at that time.
Lightpath and the Bresnan CLECs also face competition from one or more competitive access providers
and other new entrants in the local telecommunications and data marketplace. In addition to the ILECs
and other CLECs, other potential competitors capable of offering voice or broadband services include