California regulators set to decide Charter's merger with Cox amid activist pushback

Charter Communications aims to finalize its takeover of Cox Enterprises, a deal that would combine two of the nation’s biggest cable operators. The California Public Utilities Commission is slated to cast its decision next week, marking the last regulatory step following earlier federal approval. Public interest organizations have lodged objections, arguing that the proposed settlement does not go far enough to guarantee affordable internet for low-income households, adequate disaster-relief provisions after recent wildfires, or concrete diversity and equity actions for Charter's California workforce.

The commission will choose between two competing settlement drafts, one of which includes more extensive compliance requirements. Charter has pledged network upgrades, lower pricing, and investments in digital-literacy programs, while also promising to maintain the Spectrum brand for existing Cox customers.