When Time Warner Cable and Charter Communications merged back in 2016, it promised to provide better internet service to New York. After two years, the company has failed to deliver, resulting in the city revoking its approval of the merger, which has forced it to cease operations in the state.
New York will now need to find a new internet provider but will also be seeking three million dollars in penalties from Spectrum. While the state looks for an alternate internet provider, Spectrum will be required to provide service for the next 60 days. The document filed by the New York State Department of Public Service lists the following instances of misconduct by Spectrum:
- The company’s repeated failures to meet deadlines
- Charter’s attempts to skirt obligations to serve rural communities
- Unsafe practices in the field
- Its failure to fully commit to its obligations under the 2016 merger agreement
- The company’s purposeful obfuscation of its performance and compliance obligations to the Commission and its customers
John B. Rhodes, who is the New York's Chair of the Public Service Commission and Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Public Service stated that:
“Charter’s non-compliance and brazenly disrespectful behavior toward New York State and its customers necessitates the actions taken today seeking court-ordered penalties for its failures, and revoking the Charter merger approval.”
While this is quite some action taken by the state, it is an interesting move nonetheless. Hopefully, New York will be able to replace Spectrum with a company that is more accommodating of the state's needs.
Source: New York State Department of Public Service via The Verge | Image via Spectrum
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