NEW YORK (WKBW) — Charter-Spectrum and the state have reached a tentative deal to keep the cable company up and running.
Last year, the state moved to oust the cable company, claiming the company failed to serve customers and live up to promises.
Under the proposed agreement announced Friday, Charter will roll out broadband service to 145,000 upstate customers before October 2021 - a move projected to cost more than $600 million.
In addition, Charter agrees to pay $12 million for expanded service in especially underserved rural areas.
Once formally approved by regulators, the agreement will resolve a dispute between the state and Stamford, Connecticut-based Charter over upstate broadband access.
Charter-Spectrum issued this statement on the deal:
"Charter and the Department believe that this action is an important step forward in making high-speed broadband available to all New Yorkers. It allows the parties to move forward with the critical work of expanding access to broadband, by resolving their disagreements without the need for costly litigation. As a result, Charter will invest even more money in New York State than originally planned, bringing the educational, economic and social benefits of high-speed broadband to areas where access is often limited."
The Department of Public Service issued this statement:
“Today the New York Department of Public Service (Department) jointly filed a proposed agreement with Charter Communications Inc. to resolve disputes over the network expansion conditions imposed by the Public Service Commission. This proposed agreement will now be issued for a 60-day public comment period and remains subject to review and final action by the Public Service Commission. Pursuant to the agreement, Charter would expand its network to provide high-speed broadband service to 145,000 residences and businesses entirely in Upstate New York; the network expansion would be completed by September 30, 2021 in accordance with a schedule providing frequent interim enforceable milestone requirements; and Charter will pay $12 million to expand broadband service to additional unserved and underserved premises. If approved by the Public Service Commission, the proposed agreement will allow the parties to move forward with the critical work of expanding access to broadband.”
For more information on the deal, click here.
