Key Points
- California regulators approved Charter Communications’ acquisition of Cox Communications, clearing the final regulatory hurdle for the cable consolidation.
- The California Public Utilities Commission voted unanimously Thursday to approve the transaction.
- Charter announced the Cox acquisition in May 2025, with the transaction described as valued at $21.9 billion and $34.5 billion including broader deal value.
California regulators have approved Charter Communications’ acquisition of Cox Communications, clearing the final major regulatory hurdle for one of the largest cable and broadband deals in recent years.
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) voted unanimously Thursday to approve the transaction, which will combine Cox with Charter’s Spectrum cable and broadband business. The approval follows months of review and comes after Charter reached settlement agreements with consumer groups and accepted a series of enforceable conditions intended to protect customers, expand broadband access and support digital equity in California.
Charter agreed to acquire Cox in May 2025. The deal has been described as valued at $21.9 billion, with a broader transaction value of $34.5 billion. Federal regulators approved the acquisition earlier this year and regulators in the other 44 states where the companies operate had already cleared the transaction, leaving California as the final state-level approval needed before closing.
The transaction is expected to close next week.
“This decision secures significant commitments that will benefit Californians through expanded affordable broadband options, major infrastructure investments, improved customer protections, and meaningful support for digital inclusion,” Commissioner Matthew Baker, who was assigned to the proceeding, said in a statement.
The CPUC approval requires the post-merger company to offer new affordable broadband options for low-income Californians for five years, including multiple California LifeLine service tiers and standalone broadband plans. Charter also agreed to invest $30 million in digital inclusion initiatives, including broadband adoption, digital literacy training, community outreach and device access for underserved communities.
The company must invest at least $275 million to upgrade its California network, including completion of symmetrical one-gigabit service capability across legacy California service areas within three years. Charter also agreed to provide five years of free broadband and Wi-Fi service to 50 eligible community anchor institutions, including schools, libraries and community centers.
Additional conditions include automatic bill credits for qualifying service outages lasting at least two hours, continued honoring of eligible residential “price for life” agreements and the elimination of certain equipment exchange fees when customers upgrade, downgrade or return rented equipment in person. Charter must also provide enhanced battery backup options and annual notices for residential wireline voice customers.
The CPUC also imposed commitments related to Public, Educational and Government access channels, including improved transparency, high-definition distribution, electronic program guide listings and compliance with California law governing PEG support.
California regulators had raised questions over Charter’s earlier changes to diversity, equity and inclusion policies after the Federal Communications Commission approved the transaction. California requires the company to report diversity data tied to its workforce and supplier relationships in the state.
After the deal closes, Cox customers are expected to be shifted to Spectrum service. The combined company will have a major broadband and pay television footprint across Southern California, including Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Bakersfield and Riverside.
Charter said the transaction will give customers access to greater value, savings opportunities and Spectrum’s customer service platform. The CPUC said it will establish an enforcement and compliance program to monitor the company’s commitments.
