ARIZONA NEWS

Lumen investing $2M in Arizona infrastructure as ordered in judgment

Dec 12, 2020, 8:51 PM | Updated: Dec 14, 2020, 5:22 am

(Pexels Photo)...

(Pexels Photo)

(Pexels Photo)

PHOENIX — Lumen, formerly Century Link, announced planned fiber-optic improvements for rural areas of Arizona as part of a previous consent judgment, according to a press release Friday from Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich.

The company’s $2 million investment will affect residents in Sonoita, Sedona, Stanfield, Queen Valley, Page and Wilhoit.

Around 17,000 people, hundreds of small businesses, schools, first responders and local government offices are expected to benefit from enhanced internet connectivity and extended cell phone coverage, according to the release.

“COVID-19 has highlighted the drastic need for fast internet, with so many people working from home and children attending school online,” Brnovich said in the release. “Arizonans need a high-speed connection in rural areas, just as much as our big cities.

“Through this investment, Lumen will help expand educational access in our schools, allow for faster access to health and safety resources, and create new job opportunities for Arizonans.”

The nearly $11 million judgment with Century Link in February involved the company allegedly failing to disclose fees and charging customers more than the prices promised in advertisements and sale pitches.

Century Link between 2013 and 2016 promised Arizona consumers around $1.9 million in “closer discounts” that were never received, according to the release.

Along with the investment for fiber-optic improvements, Century Link was forced to refund the $1.9 million directly to the accounts of customers who did not receive the promised discounts and contact customers who no longer had active accounts to ensure compensation.

Century Link also had to stop charging internet cost recovery fees to all new customers and allow existing customers that were paying the fee to switch plans or cancel service without paying an early termination fee, according to the release.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

Donald Trump Kamala Harris...

KTAR.com

Weekend Wrap: Here are the biggest Phoenix news stories from Nov. 1-3

From new Arizona polling for the Nov. 5 general election to the relocation of a mama bear and her cubs, here are some of the Valley’s top news stories from Nov. 1-3.

3 hours ago

Valley rainfall...

Aaron Schmidt

Valley gets fair share of rain, hail in stormy Sunday afternoon

The Valley got its fair share of rainy weather on Sunday, with some parts of the Valley even getting hail. The Valley should experience continued light showers until 8 p.m.

4 hours ago

Phoenix Police...

Aaron Schmidt

Phoenix man dead after late-night fatal collision

Phoenix Police responded to a call Saturday night about a collision that left one man dead in Phoenix, authorities said.

5 hours ago

Man chopping barbecue meats in downtown Mesa...

Payne Moses

Second annual Downtown Mesa BBQ Classic set for Nov. 8-9

Pitmasters and smoky meat connoisseurs will join forces this weekend in the East Valley, as the Downtown Mesa BBQ Classic will take over for the second year running.

7 hours ago

Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris...

Payne Moses

Harris-Walz campaign hosting Phoenix rally on eve of Election Day

The Harris-Walz campaign will be in Phoenix on the eve of the 2024 presidential, as part of its nationwide Get Out The Vote initiative.

9 hours ago

Aerial shot of property formerly Half Moon Windy City Sports Grill...

Payne Moses

Law firm transforming longtime Phoenix bar into new office space

Half Moon Windy City Sports Grill closed in February after 18 years of serving the Valley and will be repurposed into an office space for land use law firm, Withey Morris Baugh.

10 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Midwestern University

Midwestern University Clinics – Providing Comprehensive, Thorough and Unrushed Healthcare to the Valley Community

With so many options for healthcare in the Valley, why should you choose a clinic that has graduate medical students integrated into the patient experience?

...

Collins Comfort Masters

Collins Comfort Masters: Leading the Way in HVAC and Plumbing Services in Arizona

Tempe, AZ – Since its inception in 1985, Collins Comfort Masters has been a cornerstone in the HVAC and plumbing industry in Phoenix and the surrounding Valley.

...

Bright Wealth Management

Here’s how to save money on retirement planning

PHOENIX -- With inflation still going on, people planning on retiring still face many issues on when they can retire and how much money they need to achieve it.

Lumen investing $2M in Arizona infrastructure as ordered in judgment