Editors note: This article has been updated to include a statement from Altice USA.

Dunellen and nine other communities reached a settlement with Altice USA, the cable television and internet provider that operates Optimum, resolving a three-year dispute over poor service and customer service complaints, officials said Thursday.

As part of the settlement, Altice USA has agreed to provide Dunellen Public Library with free 1G internet service three times more powerful than the previously available service, officials said in an announcement.

The upgrade will provide the library with increased internet speeds from 300 Mbps to 1,000 Mbps, officials said.

While the 1G internet service typically costs $365 per month, Dunellen Public Library is receiving the enhanced connectivity at no cost, per the settlement approved by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.

Were happy to see a resolution to the issues weve experienced with Altice USA that will benefit the residents of Dunellen as well as the Dunellen Public Library, which is an invaluable resource to our community, Mayor Jason Cilento said in a statement.

In a company statement, Altice USA said it was pleased to resolve the complaints.

The broadband communications provider said it remains committed to delivering superior service and support in New Jersey, evidenced by the significant investments weve made in our network, products, and customer care that have resulted in improved experiences for our local customers.

Dunellen was one of 10 communities that filed complaints with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities in 2021 about issues with Altice USAs service, officials said.

Complaints were also filed by officials in Green Brook, Hamilton, Howell, Jackson, Montville, North Brunswick, Piscataway, Robbinsville and Sayreville.

The complaints included frequent and lengthy service disruptions, inconsistent connections and fluctuating internet speeds, long wait times, poor customer service, and an inability to receive satisfactory responses to these complaints from the company both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Jan. 10 settlement agreement.

The Board of Public Utilities reviewed over 300 comments and complaints from Altice USA customers during its subsequent investigation, the settlement states.

The board found the highest number of complaints concentrated on slow or spotty internet service, extended hold times, untrained customer service staff, repeat trouble reports, service inadequacies, and overall dissatisfaction with the services provided, according to the settlement.

Both the customers and municipal representatives collectively maintained that Altice had failed in its duty to provide safe, adequate and proper service to their residents, the settlement states.

Altice USA has committed to a three-year term to address many of the concerns raised in the investigation, according to the agreement.

As part of its commitment, the company will invest a minimum of $11 million in the performance of its internet serving Optimum customers in New Jersey, per the settlement.

Altice USA also promised to provide community updates on its progress, provide better customer service and sponsor at least one community event or initiative with each of the 10 communities involved in the settlement, according to the agreement.

Altice USA provides internet, TV, and phone services to nearly 5 million customers across 21 states, according to its website.

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Jackie Roman may be reached at jroman@njadvancemedia.com.

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N.J. library gets free internet in settlement with Optimum Cable over poor service - NJ.com

Gathering hosted by CoHNA comes against the recent introduction of SCR104 condemning Hinduphobia

TRENTON, N.J., May 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --More than 15 State Senators and Assembly Members (Democrats and Republicans), attended the first ever Hindu Advocacy Day in New Jersey, hosted by the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA). New Jersey is home to one of the largest Hindu communities in the US, and the bi-partisan event focused attention on their many contributions to the state across all sectors. Lawmakers also pledged support for the Hindu Heritage Month resolution for New Jersey, which has passed the Assembly and is now making its way to the Senate.

Coming on the heels of the recently introduced resolutionSCR 104, CoHNA's Hindu Advocacy Day also focused on the growing problem of anti-Hindu hate and Hinduphobia. Senator Vin Gopal, the primary sponsor of the bill, joined the event in the middle of a busy senate schedule, recalled how he took his oath on the Bhagavad Gita while being sworn in, and that hate in any form must not be tolerated. He thanked CoHNA for working with his office on the resolution and invited the attendees to the Senate voting session for a special shoutout.

"I am really excited CoHNA got a special shoutout and recognition in the Senate for coming to Trenton and hosting the Advocacy Day and working on the Hinduphobia resolution," said Hitesh Trivedi, CoHNA Board Member and Director of its NJ chapter. "We thank our New Jersey leaders for standing with the Hindu community and engaging in a constructive dialogue. As many of our lawmakers stressed today, it is critically important for Hindus to engage and talk with our elected officials - and a grassroots platform like CoHNA has been the starting ground for so many of us."

FBI data andresearch from universities like Rutgers have documented the growing hate against Hindus in America. The rash of attacks on individuals and on Hindu temples from New York to California has brought the problem home in a most visceral way, traumatizing the community and impacting the ability of some to freely practice their faith.

The gathering was addressed by lawmakers from both sides of the aisle, all of whom thanked the Hindu community for the scale, depth, and impact of their contributions to their districts, to New Jersey, and to the US as a whole. Others shared their experiences of being part of vibrant Hindu celebrations - be it Diwali, Holi, Navratri, Guru Vandana, or International Yoga Day.

Upendra Chivukula, the first Hindu Assemblymember ever to be elected in New Jersey, shared insights from his decades of experience on why representation matters and how far the community has come. "If we don't ask, others will ask for us. Whoever gets to the lawmakers first will get their attention first," he said, thanking CoHNA for organizing this important day and bringing the community to Trenton to meet public officials.

A Community Effort

A number of Hindu community leaders attended the event and spoke of the important work that CoHNA is doing in representing the community and advocating for the causes that the community cares about and giving Hindus a platform. Speakers at the event explored the many different ways American Hindus can serve and give back to their community.

"I was inspired by the Hindu values I learned while growing up through Bal Vihar camps in Massachusetts and New Jersey," said Cherry Hill CouncilwomanSangeeta Doshi, recalling her decision to run for office.

The NJ Democratic Hindu Caucus Co-chairs, Falguni Pandya and Venu Menon, also talked about why the caucus was formed and how it has been advocating for the Hindu community.

Collaboration between different organizations was also an important theme, where leaders like Dhiren Amin, President of Indian Business Association, Ganesh Ramakrishnan, NJ Communications Coordinator for Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, and community leader Dr.Mukund Thakar highlighted the need to work in tandem to amplify the positive impact on the community in various areas - from political representation and education to serving people regardless of race, ethnicity, or religion.

Find pictures and comments from the event on our feed on X formerly known as Twitter.

About CoHNA

CoHNA is a grassroots level advocacy and civil rights organization dedicated to improving the understanding of Hinduism in North America by working on matters related to the Hindu community and by educating the public about Hindu heritage and tradition. For more information, please visithttps://cohna.orgor follow us onX(Twitter),Facebook,LinkedInand onInstagram.

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SOURCE Coalition of Hindus of North America

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New Jersey's First Hindu Advocacy Day Draws Bi-partisan Support with Focus on Anti-Hindu Hate - Longview News-Journal