Month: November 2022

(Hartford, CT) – Attorney General William Tong announced he has opened an investigation under the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act into Altice Optimum following nearly 500 consumer complaints regarding slow internet speeds, hidden fees, and unacceptable technical support.

Many complaints to the Office of the Attorney General involved consumers who paid for either 300 Mbps or 400 Mbps cable internet plans. When consumers ran home speed tests, they discovered they were not receiving the speeds they paid for. The Office of the Attorney General also received complaints regarding service fees, technical support, and customer service. The Office of the Attorney General is also investigating a $3.50 “Network Enhancement Fee” for internet customers.

“Customers have a right to expect the service and internet speed they pay for. Our office has reviewed hundreds of complaints from Optimum cable internet customers regarding slow speeds, hidden fees, and poor customer support. Our investigation seeks comprehensive records dating back to January 2017 to determine exactly what Altice Optimum knew and what they were doing to deliver the internet speeds and service they promised. If our investigation finds that Optimum violated Connecticut law, we will not hesitate to hold them accountable,” said Attorney General Tong.

“Reliable internet access is a critical utility in 2022,” said Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner Michelle H. Seagull. “People rely on it for everything from school and work to paying their bills, to entertainment and news access. Consumers also deserve to get what they pay for. I am glad the Attorney General is taking on this investigation to determine if there has been any wrongdoing or harm done to consumers who pay for Optimum’s services.”

“Customers deserve the services they pay for, and these allegations indicate Altice Optimum has failed to deliver on its word for half a decade,” said Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex), Co-Chair of the Energy & Technology Committee. “As the internet has become a vital part of everyday life, households relying on these services for employment, education, and entertainment can experience significant harm if they lack reliable internet service. If Altice Optimum contributed to that harm, they should face the consequences. I look forward to the findings of the Attorney General’s investigation.”

“Connecticut consumers should not be subject to potential hidden fees, mis leading marketing, and poor customer service. Altice Optimum should be held accountable if they did in fact violate Connecticut law. I commend AG Tong for taking on this investigation on behalf of Connecticut consumers. AG Tong’s record of holding utilities accountable is second to none,” said Rep. David Arconti (D-Danbury), Co-Chair of the Energy & Technology Committee.

“The importance and value of having reliable internet service has never been clearer to our families than it is today,” said Senate Republican Leader Pro Tempore Paul Formica (R-East Lyme), ranking member of the Energy & Technology Committee. “We all share the goal of wanting to ensure access to quality and reliable service. In our efforts to address that goal, consumer complaints must be thoroughly examined, and all stakeholders must work together to promote accountability and transparency and implement appropriate corrective action to best support consumers.”

A civil investigative demand sent today to Altice Optimum seeks detailed records of consumer complaints dating back to January 2017. The civil investigative demand further seeks records of how Altice Optimum marketed its internet speeds, any analysis or records regarding the speed and quality of internet they ultimately delivered, records showing Altice Optimum’s knowledge of various factors impacting the speed and quality of their internet service, records showing how Altice Optimum invested revenue from their “Network Enhancement Fee,” among other demands.

This investigation follows a settlement reached in August with Frontier Communications following review of over 1,400 consumer complaints regarding equipment returns, poor internet quality, unsatisfactory customer service, and excessive charges. The Frontier settlement, worth over $60 million, will dramatically expand access to high-speed internet for Frontier customers in economically distressed communities, end a hidden monthly $6.99 internet surcharge, and force significant improvements in Frontier’s marketing and customer service.

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(Middletown CT – November 21, 2022) – As family and friends gather this week for the Thanksgiving holiday, CT State Troopers remind residents that there will be many more vehicles on state roads in the next seven days. State Police is ramping up plans to keep highways safe for everyone during this holiday rush.

Beginning on Wednesday, November 23, 2022, at 12:00 a.m. and running through Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022, at 11:59 p.m., Connecticut State Police will supplement its normal routine patrol personnel with additional Troopers throughout the long Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Troopers will patrol roads and highways across Connecticut focusing on aggressive drivers, unsafe drivers and drunk

drivers. These violations are causes of countless motor vehicle crashes in Connecticut and Troopers are committed to preventive enforcement in order to avoid wrecks.

As relatives and friends fly in and out of Bradley International Airport, know that Troopers there will help to ensure safety as passengers dash in and out of the terminal. It is always recommended that you check with the airlines to see if flights are on time to avoid waiting around the terminal. The active pick up and drop off of passengers is permitted at curbside in front of the terminals. Please remember

that no waiting is allowed and leaving a vehicle unattended is prohibited and may result in a fine. Drivers may park in the free Cell Phone Parking Lot while waiting for passengers to arrive; the lot is located on Light Lane, minutes from the terminal: https://bradleyairport.com/directions-parking/cellphone-lot/

On the highways, State Troopers ask Connecticut residents to be a part of the public safety solution by obeying traffic laws: don’t follow too closely to cars around yours, buckle up, drive the speed limit, and stay off your cell phone while driving. If you plan to consume alcohol, please do not drive; designate a driver for everyone’s safety.

“We ask that all drivers remember and follow traffic laws. Please be our extra set of eyes on the highways and call 911 if you spot an emergency,” noted Colonel Stavros Mellekas, commanding officer of the State Police. “During this very busy long holiday weekend, please take the time to arrive at your destination safely. Check traffic and weather reports before you leave home and be patient as

the roads will be filled with other drivers.”

Patrol Troopers will use traditional and non-traditional patrol cars to observe traffic and issue tickets to reckless and distracted drivers. A reminder to all drivers: anyone who is consuming alcohol should never get behind the wheel.

If you see a suspected drunk driver or a suspected reckless driver, please call 911, as this is a true emergency.

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(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that his administration has received notification from credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s (S&P) that it is increasing Connecticut’s general obligation bond credit rating from A+ (positive) to AA- (stable). This credit rating increase follows increases in 2021 by several other agencies, including Moody’s, S&P, Fitch, and Kroll.

Prior to Governor Lamont taking office, Connecticut had not experienced an increase in its credit rating since February 2001.

Governor Lamont said, “Connecticut taxpayers should celebrate today’s news. This credit rating increase will mean lower costs for critical projects that move our state forward. It is a signal to the businesses and residents that our state is on the right financial path, that we have shown a commitment to putting our fiscal house in order, and we are continuing to make significant progress to address our pension and other postemployment benefit liabilities. S&P recognizes the progress that has been made and that Connecticut is getting its mojo back.”

Secretary Beckham said, “As we develop next year’s budget, this credit rating increase sends strong signals for how we should proceed in the future. The budget we release in February will include an extension of the bond covenants that S&P stated as a key reason for our upgrade. If we are going to continue the positive progress made under this administration, those bond covenants and associated benefits must be a part of the final budget bill.”

In its notice to investors that was released today, S&P said, “The upgrade on the state’s GO debt reflects our view of Connecticut’s sustained positive financial results and building of high reserve levels during a recent period of economic and revenue growth, while also demonstrating its commitment to structural budget balance and curbing future growth of the state’s very high debt, pension, and other postemployment benefit (OPEB) liabilities, which we expect will continue in future biennial budgets. Connecticut’s overall credit improvement is also underscored by the executive branch’s announcement and intent to extend statutory financial controls in the next biennial budget proposal, which supports our view that the state remains more firmly committed to these provisions for the foreseeable future.”

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