Consumers complain about internet installation delays

Some new residents in the Treasure Valley have reported having trouble signing up for installation of internet service, with delays of as much as a couple of weeks before appointments are available.

“Due to high demand for CenturyLink’s high speed internet service, some customers in Idaho may be experiencing longer than normal timeframes for installation of their service,” said Mark Moltzen, issues manager in the corporate communications department, in Phoenix. “We have brought in additional resources to meet this demand.” The company offers internet services over telephone lines.

CableOne, which splits the Treasure Valley into two sections, Boise and West Valley, said it was typically scheduling appointments within 48 hours, sometimes within 24. “In the summer, as it gets busy, it might go out three or four days,” said Celynda Roach, general manager for the Boise system, which covers Boise, Garden City, and unincorporated Ada County. The company offers internet services over its cable television network.

People moving to a new home that never had cable before might have a one- to two-week delay, but otherwise people are being scheduled the next day or the day after, said Cheryl Goettsche, general manager for the West Valley system, which covers Kuna, Eagle, Meridian, Nampa, Caldwell, and McCall.

The Idaho Public Utilities Commission doesn’t regulate internet companies, according to Matt Evans, public information officer, in Boise.