Despite Settlement, New York Congressman Still Suspicious Of Charter-Spectrum

VESTAL, NY (WSKG) — Last week, Charter-Spectrum and New York’s Public Service Commission came to an agreement that allows the company to continue operations in the state.

This comes after Charter failed to deliver on promised internet speeds and access in the wake of its 2016 merger with Time Warner Cable.

The companies promised to hit new goals, but 22nd District Congressman Anthony Brindisi is still skeptical.  His district includes Cortland, Chenango and parts of Broome and Tioga Counties.

“I’m not very happy,” Brindisi said at a town hall in McGraw this week. “We’re still monitoring this agreement and we’re going to see how this gets implemented.”

Under last week’s deal, Charter agreed to roll out broadband to 145,000 customers by October 2021. That’s expected to cost more than $600-million.

The company also agreed to pay $12 million to expand service, especially in rural areas.

Brindisi has clashed with Charter-Spectrum since before he took office. During his campaign last year, Brindisi often criticized the company for failing to meet commitments while increasing fees. He even made headlines over a campaign ad that accused Spectrum of ripping off customers. He said Spectrum initially wouldn’t air the ad.

“Charter is a company, in my opinion, that has not lived up to their responsibilities to expand their service,” Brindisi said. “They’re overcharging customers and they’re providing poor customer service and not advertised internet speeds like they have promised.”

Brindisi wouldn’t say whether New York should’ve followed through on a threat to kick Charter Spectrum out of the state, rather than come to an agreement.

All of this comes after Charter agreed to a settlement with the New York Attorney General in December for its business practice in the state.

Charter has said the issues stem from Time Warner Cable’s advertising practices before the companies merged.