Connecticut
Connecticut Sues Internet Provider Over Hidden Fees, Deceptive Advertising
HARTFORD – Attorney General William Tong claims that Optimum Online, an internet service provider, has collected tens of millions of dollars in illegal fees from Connecticut consumers.
Now the state is suing Altice, Optimum’s parent company, to ban the fees and return the money to customers.
The state is accusing Altice, a European telecom conglomerate that acquired the former Cablevision services in 2016, of violating the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act by unlawfully charging a “network enhancement fee.”
The complaint further alleges that Altice buries disclosures about advertised speed limits by listing them on the back of mailers in tiny print, in gray-on-gray backgrounds and in small “floating” words in their TV ads. The company is also accused of putting English-language disclaimers on Spanish marketing materials.
The complaint seeks both restitution for consumers and penalties.
The Office of the Attorney General first launched its investigation into Altice in November 2022, following more than 500 consumer complaints alleging hidden fees, poor technical support, and slow internet speeds.
According to Tong, Altice began unlawfully charging its customers a monthly fee of $2.50 in January 2019, which has increased over time to the current charge of $6 per month.
In total, Tong claims Altice has collected millions of dollars from Connecticut consumers through the “junk fee,” over and above the regular monthly internet service charge. He also alleges that the fee was not disclosed up front and appeared only in the shopping cart after a consumer selects an internet service.
“When customers pay for Internet service, they have a right to expect promised speeds and network reliability without being nickel and dimed with junk fees,” said Tong.
“It’s not a small amount, by the way, and it’s important to note that this is really hitting people and families every single day. This network enhancement fee is not a tax. It’s not a federally or state mandated fee. It’s just an extra charge that Altice is slipping in on the bill to take money from all of us.”
Altice defended the fee as necessary to “maintain and improve the network” and in a written statement, the company said the state’s lawsuit is “without merit.”
“Altice USA shares the state’s goal of ensuring Connecticut residents and businesses receive high-quality connectivity services and superior customer support. The company has invested hundreds of millions of dollars into its network, products, and support experiences across the state of Connecticut, which includes the deployment of our 100% Fiber Internet network to over two-thirds of our footprint in the state, delivering symmetrical speeds of up to 8 gig, the fastest residential internet service in our Connecticut service area. Altice USA provides customers with various offers at different speeds and price points, delivering reliable speeds and service with transparent pricing to customers throughout the state,” said Communications Director Erin Smyth.
Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, D-Norwalk, described the “junk fees” as a deceptive scheme and of significant concern for residents in areas like Fairfield County and Litchfield County where options for internet service are limited.
“Frankly, Altice, which is a French company, uses Fairfield County and Litchfield County and all their customers as an ATM machine to send money back to their foreign company. We’re getting nothing in return for all these fees that we pay,” Duff said.
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — Five Connecticut towns will collectively receive $10 million in grants for infrastructure upgrades, according to a Monday announcement by Gov. Ned Lamont.
The Connecticut Department of Housing (DOH) is awarding $10.7 million to Coventry, Guilford, Ledyard, Mansfield and Thomaston to modernize and rehabilitate housing for low- and moderate-income residents, the announcement said.
The funds are being released through the DOH’s Community Development Block Grant’s small cities program, with funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. To be eligible, a municipality must have fewer than 50,000 residents.
Cost Breakdown
Coventry: $2 million
Town of Coventry plans to use funds to upgrade, with a focus on making Orchard Hill Estates compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Guilford: $2 million
The Town of Guilford plans to use funds to design and build future affordable housing projects, consisting of up to 16 rental units and 8 homes.
Ledyard: $2 million
The Town of Canton requested funding for the first phase of affordable housing for people in Ledyard and the surrounding area. Habitat for Humanity of Eastern Connecticut is in the pre-development phase of the Colby Drive and plans to create 38 units.
Mansfield: $2.2 million
Funding will be used for upgrades to Wright’s Village, including roof replacements and sidewalk repairs.
Thomaston: $2.5 million
Funds will be used to make Green Manor ADA-compliant, including the installation of a new emergency call aid system.
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Connecticut
Florida High School State Bronze Medalist Dajah German Verbals To Connecticut For Fall 2027
Fitter and Faster Swim Camps is the proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s College Recruiting Channel and all commitment news. For many, swimming in college is a lifelong dream that is pursued with dedication and determination. Fitter and Faster is proud to honor these athletes and those who supported them on their journey.
Florida high school state bronze medalist Dajah German has announced her verbal commitment to swim and study at the University of Connecticut beginning in the fall of 2027. She publicized the news on SwimCloud, writing:
I am so excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at the University of Connecticut! I’m incredibly grateful for everyone who has supported me throughout this journey, my family, coaches, teammates, and friends who have pushed me to be my best throughout the years. And a very special thank you to Coach Chris and Coach Nicole for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. I’m so excited for what’s ahead. GO HUSKIES!
A rising senior at Fort Lauderdale High School in Florida, German trains year-round with Swim Fort Lauderdale and primarily specializes in the sprint and middle-distance freestyle events.
German has improved each year of her high school career, most recently dropping from 23.78, 51.39, and 1:50.56 in the 50/100/200 free to 23.54, 51.35, and 1:49.69 during the 2025-26 short course season.
German’s top meet of the season was the Florida Senior Championships in March, where she recorded her current PBs in both the 50 and 200 free. She finished second in the 500 free (4:55.94) and 1650 free (17:02.78), third in both the 50 free and 200 free, and fifth in the 100 free (51.43). She set her current 100 free PB at a smaller holiday meet in December. In the 500 free, she clocked a season-best 4:55.21 at the Speedo Cup in January, with her lifetime best of 4:53.19 coming at the 2025 Florida Senior Championships.
German has qualified for the FHSAA (Florida High School Athletic Association) State Championships for the past three years, with her top performance coming at the 2025 iteration in November. She placed third in the 50 free (23.96), fifth in the 500 free (5:01.12), and helped Fort Lauderdale to fourth place in both the 200 free relay (24.64 leadoff) and 400 free relay (53.08 anchor).
Top SCY Times:
- 50 Freestyle: 23.54
- 100 Freestyle: 51.35
- 200 Freestyle: 1:49.69
- 500 Freestyle: 4:53.19
A Division I Mid-Major program, Connecticut competes in the Big East, with the women’s team placing second out of seven teams at this past season’s conference championships. German’s current lifetime bests would have placed third in the 200 free, fourth in the 500 free, eighth in the 50 free, and ninth in the 100 free, setting her up as an immediate contributor with two full seasons of training still ahead before her first conference meet.
German joins Anna Mumford, Lyla Devlin, Lena Brown, and Louisa Holda in committing to the Huskies’ class of 2031 so far.
If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to [email protected].
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