Posted Wednesday, April 25, 2012 --- 11:22 a.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- A Wisconsin Rapids cellphone company that was the subject of hundreds of consumer complaints has reached a settlement with state consumer protection officials.

Element Mobile has agreed to pay $248,000 and stop collection efforts against customers who complained about service interruptions and outages and disputed their cellphone accounts.

The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection says customers who paid a termination fee could be eligible for compensation. Consumers will receive questionnaires from the department to determine any eligibility for compensation.

Element Mobile launched its service in early 2011. The company has also agreed to ask the three main credit bureaus to delete any negative information it reported about delinquent accounts.

Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.