DSL Extreme Class Action Lawsuit Challenges trueSTREAM Marketing

In 2018, a DSL Extreme class action lawsuit against Telecom Evolutions argued that the internet provider failed to provide the high speeds and reliable connections promised with trueSTREAM services.

DSL Extreme launched their trueSTREAM internet services in 2014. According to the company’s press release on the services, trueSTREAM is the “next generation of connectivity” which offers “super-high speed” data services, no bandwidth caps, and “a reliable, lightning fast connection.”

Although these claims make trueSTREAM internet seem like the best possible option, a 2018 DSL Extreme class action lawsuit challenges the validity of the company’s promises.

Plaintiff Ronald Chintz says that he upgraded his DSL Extreme internet service to the company’s trueSTREAM “fiber optic” service in July 2017, around a year after initially signing a contract with the company for internet services. When he made this change, Chintz allegedly started to pay a premium price—$17.95 per month instead of $14.95 per month—based on representations that trueSTREAM services would provide faster internet.

Unfortunately, according to Chintz’ 2018 DSL Extreme class action lawsuit, these representations were false and misleading. Like other false advertising claims, Chintz specifically challenges the company’s claims that trueSTREAM internet relies on “fiber optic” connections.

Fiber optic internet cables provide extremely high speeds. Unlike traditional cables which pass information as electrical signals, fiber optic cables pass data as light. Through this medium, data can be sent up to 940 Megabits per second or around 70% the speed of light. Due to these speeds, and other fiber optic benefits such as weather and interference resistance, fiber optic-based internet is an attractive option to many consumers.

According to Chintz, DSL Extreme relies on the solid reputation of fiber optic internet when advertising trueSTREAM internet services. By promising high quality connections, the plaintiff contends that DSL Extreme is able to draw in many more customers than they would have without such advertisements.

However, despite these promises, DSL Extreme allegedly fails to provide the fiber optic connections. Instead, trueSTREAM services are provided through copper line connections, Chintz argues. According to the DSL Extreme class action lawsuit, copper line-based internet is inferior to the promised fiber optic connection, making it worth far less than Chintz and other consumers paid.

“Had Defendants not made false, misleading, and deceptive representations that the trueSTREAM service provides a ‘fiber optic’ internet connection, Plaintiff would not have been willing to purchase the trueSTREAM service and would not have been willing to pay a premium price for the trueSTREAM service,” Chintz alleges in his DSL Extreme class action lawsuit.

“Plaintiff was injured and lost money as a result of Defendants’ misrepresentations, omissions, and deceptive, unfair, and unlawful conduct.”

Chintz seeks to represent a Class of Californians who paid for trueSTREAM fiber optic internet services since Dec. 12, 2014.

The DSL Extreme Class Action Lawsuit is Ronald Chintz v. Telecom Evolutions LLC, et al., Case No. 18-ST-cv-08068, in the Superior Court for the State of California for the County of Los Angeles.