Altice to spend millions on internet upgrades in settlement with West Virginia
The parent company of one of West Virginia's largest internet 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 upgrades in West Virginia through 2027, provide $4 million in credits to customers' accounts and pay the state $500,000.
Altice entered into the agreement without admitting that its practices violated the state Consumer Credit and Protection Act.
"This is years in the making and a big win for the consumers in West Virginia," Morrisey said.
Altice operates in West Virginia under the Optimum brand. In 2022, the state Public Service Commission fined Suddenlink Communications, Optimum's former name, $2.2 million. The PSC found that Suddenlink ignored customer complaints, reduced the number of full-time employees, its maintenance work and budget, and changed its method of communicating with customers.
A statement issued by Morrisey's office said Altice has invested $75 million in infrastructure upgrades in the state since 2021. If the current upgrades are not completed by 2027, Altice would face additional fines of up to $40 million.
Current customers who qualify will receive $25 credits on their accounts. Former customers can submit a claim to see if they are eligible for a cash refund, the statement said.