FCC Grants Approval of Charter-TWC-Bright House Networks Transaction

The Federal Communications Commission approved — with conditions — the Application filed by Charter Communications, Inc., Time Warner Cable Inc., and Advance/Newhouse Partnership approval to transfer control of certain licenses and authorizations from Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks to Charter Communications. An Order detailing the Commission’s reasoning and the conditions will be issued in the coming days.

The Los Angeles Times reports that the conditions on the transaction include:

• A requirement that Charter expand broadband service in areas with spotty coverage and provide low-cost Internet access to at least 525,000 low-income homes.
• Charter would have to provide 1 million new Internet connections in areas where other high-speed operators deliver service, in order to encourage more competition.
• Eliminating barriers to video streaming, including a prohibition on charging usage-based prices or imposing data caps on its customers.
• Charter also would not be allowed to charge interconnection fees, including to online video providers such as Netflix that deliver large amounts of data to broadband customers.