Charter Communications Announces $1.25 Billion Investment in Ohio

Charter Investment and Public-Private Partnerships Extend Fiber-Optic Network to Nearly 140,000 Unserved Homes and Small Businesses

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Charter Communications today announced a nearly $1.25 billion investment in Ohio through its companywide network evolution project and broadband expansion commitments. The investment will enable the delivery of symmetrical gigabit and multi-gigabit speeds across the state, rural broadband expansion programs in Ohio and other customer-benefiting projects. The announcements were part of an event attended by Lt. Governor Jon Husted at the Ohio Chamber of Commerce office in Columbus.

Funded 100% by Charter, the company is investing nearly $500 million in a network evolution project in Ohio to deliver symmetrical and multi-gigabit internet speeds. This work has already begun in Southwest Ohio, in and around the Cincinnati area, and the broader project is expected to be substantially complete across the company’s Ohio service area by the end of 2025. This national project will also give Charter the ability to provide 25, 50 or even 100 Gbps speeds for high-bandwidth users, with fiber on demand across the vast majority of its 41-state network.

140,000 Unserved Homes and Small Businesses to Gain Access to Gigabit Broadband

Charter, the #1 rural internet provider in the nation,^* is also expanding its fiber-optic network to bring broadband to previously unserved areas in more than 60 Ohio counties. This nearly $750 million investment, offset by nearly $200 million in federal, state and local grants, will bring gigabit broadband to nearly 140,000 unserved homes and small businesses. Since the beginning of our rural construction initiative in Ohio, we have built more than 2,700 miles and activated more than 24,000 passings. Since June 2023 alone, Charter has brought broadband to thousands of previously unserved and underserved homes and small businesses in counties such as Tuscarawas, Vinton, Muskingum and Clinton, with work continuing around the state.

“Investing in high-speed broadband infrastructure is a crucial step toward a connected future for Ohio, but let us not forget that true progress comes from private and public commitment and innovation,” said Lt. Governor Husted. “We value the investments that Spectrum is making to help us achieve the goal of bridging the digital divide.”

Central to the expansion is the company’s participation in the Federal Communications Commission’s Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF). Charter will bring high-speed internet service to an estimated 110,000 homes and small businesses through Charter’s RDOF buildout in Ohio, 80,000 of which are in Appalachian counties.

Charter is also participating in public-private partnerships, including the Ohio Residential Broadband Expansion Grant Program (ORBEG) and various county-funded broadband expansion programs, adding tens of thousands of additional homes and small businesses to its network. Charter also continues to expand its network to additional unserved homes and small businesses through 100% Charter-funded buildouts.

“Charter’s investments in Ohio — combined with vital public funding through RDOF, ORBEG and additional local broadband grant programs — are providing the critical infrastructure so many Ohio families and small businesses need to compete in the digital world,” said Adam Falk, Senior Vice President of State Government Affairs at Charter. “Through this multiyear investment in our network, we will ensure that customers across our entire Ohio service area will receive even faster broadband speeds, with the network security and reliability they have come to reply upon.

“We look forward to continuing to work with the DeWine-Husted Administration and BroadbandOhio Chief Peter Voderberg and his team on our shared goal to invest in rural and unserved areas of Ohio, ensuring all have access to high-speed and reliable broadband.”

Charter’s Commitment to Ohio

Charter serves more than 2.8 million customers in nearly 2,000 Ohio communities and employs more than 7,900 people across the state. In 2022 alone, Charter extended the reach of its network to an additional 36,000 homes and small businesses.

“Access to reliable, high-speed internet is essential to growing a business and supporting a local community — big or small,” said Steve Stivers, President & CEO of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce. “Spectrum’s investment to expand and upgrade its network in Ohio is setting our economy up for welcomed growth and long-term prosperity.”

Charter is Delivering Gigabit Speeds Today, With No Modem Fees, Data Caps or Contracts

Spectrum Internet^® currently delivers speeds up to 1 Gbps and Advanced WiFi for both residential and small business customers, with starting speeds of 300 Mbps with no modem fees, data caps or contracts. Spectrum Business Internet offers its customers plans with starting download speeds of 300 Mbps, with 600 Mbps and 1 Gbps options.

Spectrum Internet exceeded advertised download and upload speeds for all tiers measured — even during peak weeknight usage between 7 and 11 p.m. — according to the FCC’s most recent “Measuring Broadband America Fixed Broadband Report” issued in January 2023.

Spectrum also was a day one participant in the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which makes quality, high-speed internet service available at a low — or even at no — cost to eligible families in financial need. All Spectrum Internet plans are eligible for ACP credits, and because customers are not locked into a contract, families can always choose the right broadband plan to meet their changing needs.

 

^* Based on December 2022 FCC Broadband Data Collection locations.

About Charter

Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHTR) is a leading broadband connectivity company and cable operator serving more than 32 million customers in 41 states through its Spectrum brand. Over an advanced communications network, the Company offers a full range of state-of-the-art residential and business services including Spectrum Internet^®, TV, Mobile and Voice. 

For small and medium-sized companies, Spectrum Business^® delivers the same suite of broadband products and services coupled with special features and applications to enhance productivity, while for larger businesses and government entities, Spectrum Enterprise^® provides highly customized, fiber-based solutions. Spectrum Reach^® delivers tailored advertising and production for the modern media landscape. The Company also distributes award-winning news coverage and sports programming to its customers through Spectrum Networks. More information about Charter can be found at corporate.charter.com.

Media Contact

Mike Pedelty

Michael.Pedelty@charter.com