OPINION — The Charter Communications acquisition of Cox Communications is another major opportunity for California to close the Digital Divide. The combined company will improve Internet services for 62% of all California residents and millions of businesses. It will offer affordable Internet service to 66% of all low-income households in the state.
These public benefits are guaranteed through legally-binding agreements between Charter Communications and the California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF) and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Public Advocates Office (Cal Advocates) upon timely approval of the acquisition by the commission.
Credit goes to the CPUC for pioneering the concept of public benefits agreements, again leading the nation in closing the Digital Divide.