Lawsuit forces CenturyLink to stop charging "Internet Cost Recovery Fee" [telecom]

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Settlement brings refunds to customers but applies only in Washington state.

By Jon Brodkin

CenturyLink has agreed to pay a $6.1 million penalty after Washington state regulators found that the company failed to disclose fees that raised actual prices well above the advertised rates. CenturyLink must also stop charging a so-called "Internet Cost Recovery Fee" in the state, although customers may end up paying the fee until their contracts expire unless they take action to switch plans.