South Raleigh News

Attorney General Josh Stein has secured a significant victory for North Carolina residents by negotiating a $20 million settlement with Frontier Communications aimed at improving internet services in the state. Stein emphasized the importance of affordable and reliable internet access for various aspects of people's lives, stating, “Affordable, reliable internet is necessary for North Carolinians to work, study, get health care, and run businesses.”

The legal action against Frontier stemmed from numerous complaints received by the North Carolina Department of Justice, with over 200 residents reporting that the internet speeds they were receiving fell short of the provider's promises. Stein took action by filing a lawsuit against Frontier in 2021, which led to today's settlement following ongoing negotiations.

In addition to the financial settlement, Frontier will pay $300,000 in restitution to customers who were impacted by the slower internet speeds in North Carolina. The NCDOJ is currently working on setting up a restitution program to ensure affected individuals receive the compensation they are entitled to.

Furthermore, as part of the agreement, Frontier has committed to improving its marketing practices to provide accurate information about the internet speeds they offer. Customers will also have access to free and convenient cancellation options if the provider fails to deliver the advertised speeds.

Stein's efforts to address internet service issues in North Carolina reflect his dedication to keeping the state's residents connected and ensuring they have access to reliable communication services. The settlement with Frontier marks a significant step towards enhancing internet infrastructure and service quality for North Carolinians.