W.Va. PSC Staff, Others Seek Stiff Penalties on Altice
West Virginia Public Service Commission staff urged strict action against Altice so the cable operator known there as Suddenlink understands "its current inability or unwillingness to provide adequate, safe and reliable cable television service to West Virginia subscribers is simply…
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unacceptable.” Staff, Altice, localities and the state consumer advocate filed briefs Wednesday on the PSC’s Altice probe in case 21-0515-CTV-SC-GI. Altice doesn’t seem to be taking concerns seriously, said staff. “The old saying that ‘actions speak louder than words’ was affirmed by Suddenlink” when executives left early from last month’s hearing (see 2110060056), showing “they had no interest in what” other hearing participants “had to say about Suddenlink’s performance in West Virginia.” Altice failed to provide knowledgeable witnesses, staff added. The Consumer Advocate Division urged the PSC to impose "statutory penalties to the full extent permitted by West Virginia law" and to remediate current Altice customer service practices. The cabler isn’t taking the inquiry seriously, it agreed. Kanawha County supported PSC staff recommendations: “The Commission has received thousands of complaints, and the Staff has responded accordingly, giving those customers a loud voice.” High rates, poor service, no competition and insufficient local franchise leverage are "the result of abusive monopoly power by a loosely regulated service providers,” said Beckley, Charleston and Elkins. The company acknowledged its “performance challenges ... particularly with respect to its delivery of field services and customer care," saying it acted to address problems, is investing millions of dollars in its West Virginia network and is committed to do more. Don’t penalize or take remedial action because staff recommendations exceed commission authority under state and federal law and Altice is “substantially in compliance” with the Cable Act, it said.