Judge OKs Class-Action Suit For AT&T Broadband Slowdown

A class-action lawsuit by consumers against AT&T for allegedly delivering slower-than-advertised broadband service can go forward, a judge in St. Louis has ruled. The consumers alleged that the telecom promised "lightning fast" speeds of at least 384 kbps and up to 1.5 Mpbs, but delivered far slower connections due to "purposeful limitation or 'capping' of the lines," "the inadequacy of the lines," and "the poor condition of the lines." AT&T allegedly "intentionally capped access to newsgroups and email for all of their customers," the lawsuit alleges. The consumers also alleged that attempts to remedy the situation by changing providers were met with hefty termination fees. The judge in the case, Judge Gary M. Gaertner, recently ruled that the case could proceed as a class-action. "There is evidence in the record supporting the claims of (the consumers)," he wrote. "Defendants concede there were DSL customers who were capped."