FCC lets Charter buy Cox, says no reason to worry about higher Internet prices

Charter Communications, known for its Spectrum cable services, has secured approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to acquire Cox Communications. This move positions Charter to overtake Comcast as the largest residential Internet service provider in the United States. Currently, Charter serves approximately 29.7 million Internet customers, while Comcast holds around 31.26 million. The acquisition of Cox, which has an additional 5.9 million Internet subscribers, will bolster Charter's customer base significantly. Although the FCC has given the green light for this $34.5 billion deal, it still requires clearance from the Justice Department and approvals from several states, including California and New York. Critics of the merger have expressed concerns that the removal of Cox as an independent competitor could lead to increased prices for consumers, particularly as Charter and Comcast do not directly compete in most of their respective markets. However, the FCC has dismissed these worries, stating that the two companies operate in largely separate territories. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has highlighted that companies seeking to merge should prioritize the elimination of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. In a recent press release, the FCC noted that Charter has pledged to implement new measures to prevent DEI-related discrimination and that its plans for network expansion are aimed at delivering faster Internet and more affordable rates to rural communities. This decision arrives just a day after Charter submitted a letter to FCC Chairman Carr detailing its commitment to address DEI concerns. Charter currently offers broadband and cable services across 41 states, while Cox operates in 18 states. The FCC's ruling has also dismissed competition-related objections raised in a petition filed by several advocacy groups in November 2025.