U.S. Rep. Doug Collins, R-Gainesville, said in a statement Tuesday that he will meet with Windstream officials on May 9 to discuss the company's latest promises to improve communication with and upgrade internet service for tens of thousands of customers across Northeast Georgia.

Collins has been engaged in a media back-and-forth with the Little Rock, Ark.-based company for several months now after complaints from customers began pouring into his office.

The complaints have become so numerous that the Jefferson City Council in Jackson County established a Broadband Advisory Committee to address possible alternative service providers.

Collins said he is concerned because Windstream has received federal funding.

In response, Tony Thomas, Windstream president and CEO, said the company invested more than $60 million in 2015 to upgrade neighborhood network nodes, regional network facilities and "the cables that connect it all together."

Thomas said 40 percent of locations in the congressional 9th District can receive internet speeds of at least 20 megabits per second, while 95 percent of the households can receive at least 3 megabits per second.

Windstream is establishing a new rapid response team in Cornelia to respond to customer concerns throughout Northeast Georgia.

Individuals who believe their needs have not been addressed can contact this team directly at (706) 894-1330.

"I will continue to push for answers until Windstream can show some progress in addressing the concerns of my constituents," Collins said Tuesday.