CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) – 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 earn $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 state consumer credit and protection law.
“This has been years in the making and a major win for West Virginia consumers,” Morrisey said.
Altice operates in West Virginia under the brand name Optimum. Suddenlink Communications, Optimum’s former name, was fined $2.2 million by the state Public Service Commission in 2022. The PSC found that Suddenlink ignored customer complaints, reduced the number of full-time employees, maintenance work and budget and changed the way it communicated with customers.
A statement from 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 could face additional fines of up to $40 million.
Current eligible customers will receive $25 credits on their accounts. Former customers can file a claim to see if they qualify for a cash refund, the statement said.
