NY Announces a $72M Settlement With Altice Over Failed Response Time After a 2020 Tropical Storm
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced a nearly $72 million settlement with Altice following the company’s failure to adequately prepare for and restore broadband and cable television service after the August 2020 Tropical Storm Isaias left more than 400,000 Altice customers without service, some for as long as 14 days. Following the power and communication outages caused by the tropical storm, Governor Cuomo directed the Department of Public Service to immediately investigate the utilities’ preparations and response to the storms. The $72 million settlement is the largest ever in New York State for any company under Public Service Commission jurisdiction for failing to follow procedures related to emergency response. As part of the settlement agreement, approved today by the Public Service Commission, Altice will be required to develop a more robust storm-response program and enhance communication and coordination with municipal and county governments.
“It is beyond unacceptable to leave hundreds of thousands of customers without the ability to access the Internet, especially during a time when so many people rely on broadband for work and school,” Governor Cuomo said. “This settlement makes it clear that telecommunication companies in New York have an obligation to prepare for severe weather and to develop robust storm-response programs, and if they fail to adequately do that job we will hold them accountable and force them to change the way they do business.”
