Schneiderman to Internet providers: Prove speed claims

New York State Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman has asked three major Internet providers to validate claims that customers are getting the access speed promised, especially for premium services.

The attorney general's office says it's "concerned" consumers paying for service from Time Warner, Cablevision and Verizon might not be getting the speeds advertised. The request, dated Friday, seeks the providers' total broadband customers since 2011 and respective service levels, all disclosures to actual or potential customers about Internet speeds since 2013, substantiation for specific claims, customer complaints and copies of Internet interconnection agreements.

The attorney general's letter cites particular concerns, mainly those related to interconnection agreements about premium options.

Cablevision, which owns Newsday, says its Optimum Online service "consistently surpasses" advertised broadband speeds. "We are happy to provide any necessary performance information to the attorney general as we do to our customers," Cablevision spokesman Charles Schueler said Monday.

Spokesmen at Time Warner Cable and Verizon also said their companies are confident they provide the speeds they advertise and will cooperate with the attorney general's office.