Spectrum Internet Assist
Charter Pledges Low-Cost Broadband After TWC-BHN Deals
December 18, 2015
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Originally Appeared in Multi Channel
December 18, 2015
Charter Communications announced a new low-cost broadband service for low-income customers that the MSO pledged to offer within six months of the close of its proposed acquisitions of Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks.
The service, which will be offered across Charter’s footprint within three years of close, will deliver speeds of up to 30 Mbps downstream and 4 Mbps upstream for $14.99 per month. The speeds happen to exceed FCC’s current definition of wireline “broadband” — 25 Mbps down by 3 Mbps up.
Other MSOs have launched similar high-speed Internet options for low-income families. Those from Cox Communications (Connect2Compete) and Comcast (Internet Essentials) currently offer max downstream speeds of 10 Mbps, but cost less to homes that qualify — $9.95 per month. The Cox and Comcast programs also provide free WiFi routers, and Comcast’s provides access to discounted computer equipment (less than $150).