New York Attorney General Barbara Underwood says the state has settled its differences with Charter Communications and Spectrum cable with a record payment of more than $174 million.
New York’s Public Service Commission had revoked Charter’s right to do business in the Empire State, telling Charter and Spectrum to wrap up their business operations by the end of the year. That could have potentially left millions of Cable TV, phone and internet customers in the lurch.
The AG’s office says the consumer fraud settlement provides for $62.5 million in direct refunds to customers statewide for defrauding internet subscribers. The state contends Charter-Spectrum failed in its pledge to provide reliable and fast internet service, and failed to expand broadband service into rural parts of the state according to the promise in its merger agreement with Time Warner.
More than 700,000 internet subscribers will get rebates of from $75 to $150. More than 2 million active subscribers will get streaming services and premium channels at no additional charge.
Charter-Spectrum will have to substantiate its internet speed claims with regular testing.