mergers

Groups Petition FCC to Deny Charter-Cox Merger

Coalition warns $34.5B deal would create ‘unchecked gatekeeper power’ and labor harms

Jericho Casper

Nov 19, 2025 — 2 min read

Photo of Hooman Hedayati, senior strategic research associate for telecom policy at the Communications Workers of America, from Hedayati's site.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 19, 2025 – A coalition of public interest and labor groups has petitioned the Federal Communications Commission to deny Charter Communications’ $34.5 billion bid to acquire Cox.

In a 32-page petition filed Tuesday, Public Knowledge, the Communications Workers of America, the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, and the Center for Accessible Technology argued the merger would create “unchecked gatekeeper power” over internet distribution, raise prices, deepen digital inequities, and weaken worker protections.

The petitioners’ filing directly contradicts the wave of support made public last week by state and local chambers of commerce, which argued the consolidation would fuel broadband investment, improve employee wages and benefits, and generate broader economic benefits. Petitioners said the opposite was more likely.

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mergers Charter Cox Communications cable Nell Geiser Hooman Hedayati CWA Benton Institute for Broadband & Society Time Warner Cable Bright House Networks

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