Connecticut Attorney General's Office

Press Release

Attorney General Applauds $1.1 Million DPUC Fine Against AT&T For Failing To Meet State Repair Rules

May 21, 2010

         “Memo to AT&T: This message delivered, that flouting essential service standards is intolerable.

“I am pleased that the DPUC heeded my call to fine AT&T for its nearly decade-long failure to meet state phone repair requirements. This $1.1 million fine -- $10,000 a month, the largest the DPUC could impose -- is a ringing wakeup call for AT&T. The DPUC did the right thing, taking tough action against the company’s contempt for crucial repair standards.

           

“The DPUC rule is crystal clear: 90 percent of out-of-service phones must be fixed within 24 hours. AT&T inexplicably and inexcusably has failed to meet that simple standard even one month since 2001. Broken phones are a public safety hazard -- especially for the elderly and infirm for whom a working landline can be a matter of life and death.

“I will continue fighting to enforce state repair rules for utilities, which provide services vital for public safety and well being.”