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N.Y. Internet Provider Altice To Pay $72 Million In Compensation For Poor Isaias Response

Internet Broadband cable
Jorge Guillen
/
Pixabay

Television and internet provider Altice USA will have to pay $72 million to New York and certain customers for its slow response after Tropical Storm Isaias last August.

Governor Andrew Cuomo said Altice will have to make a $68.5 million investment to improve storm resiliency and make other upgrades. The company paid an additional $3.4 million in credits already provided to customers on their billing statements following the storm

"Altice USA has been working with the NY PSC since Storm Isaias last summer to jointly examine opportunities for enhancements in how we communicate and engage with our customers, communities, and public officials during severe weather events," the company said in a statement. "We appreciate the dialogue with the NY PSC as we look to ensure that the long-term service investments we're making continue to improve the customer experience and benefit all our tri-state area customers."
 
This is the largest settlement made under the state’s Public Service Commission for poor emergency response time.

Cuomo called their response “beyond unacceptable,” and that it could not have come at a worse time with many New Yorkers needing internet access to work and go to school from home.

More than 400,000 New Yorkers lost service to the internet for almost two weeks.

Cuomo said the penalty should serve as an example to all service providers to improve their emergency response plans.