Albany — New York regulators have officially revoked their approval of Charter Communications’ acquisition of Time Warner Cable, saying the company failed to meet key broadband expansion and public interest conditions tied to the merger. The decision directs Charter to submit a plan to transition its New York operations to a successor provider and sets a timeline for compliance.
The Public Service Commission said Charter missed buildout targets for extending high speed internet to underserved homes and businesses across the state. Officials also cited concerns about the accuracy of Charter’s reported progress and what they described as repeated failures to honor commitments negotiated when the merger was cleared.
Regulators argued that the company’s conduct undermined efforts to close the digital divide in rural and low income communities. The order states that merger approvals are contingent on measurable public benefits and that those benefits did not materialize at the pace and scope promised.
Charter said it disagrees with the ruling and maintains that it has expanded broadband service to hundreds of thousands of locations since the merger. The company indicated it will work with the commission to address the concerns while preserving service for existing customers.
The commission’s action establishes deadlines for Charter to file a detailed exit and transition plan. The plan must include provisions to maintain service continuity, protect jobs where possible, and ensure that customers experience minimal disruption during any transfer of assets.
Consumer advocates welcomed the decision, saying it reinforces the expectation that large mergers deliver tangible benefits beyond shareholder gains. Business groups urged both sides to reach a resolution that avoids uncertainty for the state’s communications market.
The ruling highlights a tougher posture from state regulators on telecom consolidation. It also signals that buildout promises will be judged on verifiable results, not projections. As the process moves forward, attention will focus on whether Charter negotiates new conditions, challenges the decision in court, or proceeds with an orderly transition to a new operator.
