According to a Reuters article published earlier this week, officials in Montgomery county have decided to allow Verizon to proceed with their web-based television service. It appears that in return Verizon will drop their lawsuit against the county. Now that Verizon has gotten through the legal roadblock of the county not allowing them to move forward, assuming the county council approves their franchise agreement they are hoping to have service avaiable to the county by early next year.

Montgomery County, Maryland and Verizon have settled their lawsuit by reaching a tentative 15-year agreement that would allow the telecom giant to provide its cable television service to county residents:

Verizon is a step closer to being able to offer cable television service in Montgomery county.

Verizon sued the county in June claiming its cable franchise system violates antitrust law as well as the First Amendment by allowing Comcast to have a virtual lock on the market.

Montgomery County said the suit was without merit but has now reached an agreement on a franchise that will authorize Verizon to offer its fiber-powered FiOS TV to county residents.

"FiOS TV will deliver more channels, superior quality and better value than Comcast's service in Montgomery County," said Bill Roberts, president of Verizon Maryland, in a statement.

The 15-year deal still has to be approved by the Montgomery County Council.

We’ll be watching to see how the Montgomery County Council proceeds.