CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — The parent company of one of West Virginia’s largest Internet service providers has reached a settlement with the state to resolve thousands of consumer complaints.
Under the settlement announced Friday by Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, Altice USA will make $40 million in additional improvements in West Virginia through 2027, provide $4 million in customer account credits and pay the state $500,000.
Altice entered into the contract without admitting that its actions violate the state’s Consumer Credit and Protection Act.
“This has been years in the making and is a huge win for West Virginia consumers,” Morrisey said.
Altice operates in West Virginia under the Optimum brand. Suddenlink Communications, the former name of Optimum, was fined $2.2 million 2022 by the state Public Service Commission. The PSC found that Suddenlink ignored customer complaints, reduced the number of full-time employees and its maintenance work and budget, and changed the way it communicated with customers.
A statement issued by Morrisey’s office said Altice has invested $75 million in infrastructure upgrades in the state starting in 2021. If the current upgrades are not completed by 2027, Altice will face additional penalties of up to $40 million.
Current customers who qualify will receive a $25 credit to their accounts. Former customers can apply to see if they qualify for a cash refund, according to the release.
