Minnesota AG's office settles with Frontier Communications

Monica King Von Holtum tests her Frontier Communications internet speed.
Monica King Von Holtum tests her internet speed at her home near Worthington. She’s one of many Frontier Communications customers in Minnesota who’ve complained about the company’s service.
Mark Steil | MPR News 2018

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said Monday his office has settled an investigation into possible deceptive practices in Frontier Communications’ billing and sale of internet services.

Under the settlement, Frontier agreed to fully disclose its prices for internet service to new customers before they take service. Many current customers will be allowed to cancel their service without penalty. Frontier also agreed to invest at least $10 million over four years to improve its broadband network and to pay $750,000 in restitution that Ellison’s office can distribute to Frontier’s customers.

Frontier provides telephone and internet service to about 90,000 customers in Minnesota, many of whom live outside the Minneapolis-St. Paul area and have limited options for high-speed internet service.

"For too many Minnesotans, Frontier broke its promises,” Ellison said in a statement.

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Ellison's office began its investigation in 2018 after receiving numerous complaints from Frontier’s customers. Based on its investigation, Ellison's office alleged that Frontier used deceptive and misleading practices to overcharge its customers.

A Frontier spokesman said Monday the company is “pleased to have this matter resolved.”

The Norwalk, Connecticut-based company filed for Chapter 11 federal bankruptcy protection in April.

The Frontier settlement concludes three major investigations that Ellison's office launched into Minnesota telecom providers. Ellison's office settled lawsuits against CenturyLink and Comcast/Xfinity earlier this year.