We are a leading broadband connectivity company and cable operator serving more than 32 million customers in 41 states through our Spectrum brand.
−Removed: Over an advanced high-capacity, two-way telecommunications network, we offer a full range of state-of-the-art residential and business services including Spectrum Internet ® , TV, Mobile and Voice.
+Added: Over an advanced communications network, we offer 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.
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We also distribute award-winning news coverage and sports programming to our customers through Spectrum Networks.
−Removed: Our network, which we own and operate, passes over an estimated 55 million households and businesses across the United States.
−Removed: Our strategy is focused on the evolution of our network, expansion of our footprint, and the execution of high quality operations, including customer service.
−Removed: It allows us to maintain a state-of-the-art network delivering the most compelling converged connectivity services in a capital and time-efficient manner, and in turn, offer advanced services to consumers at highly attractive prices, together with outstanding customer service.
−Removed: Offering high quality, competitively priced products and outstanding service allows us to increase both the number of customers we serve over our fully deployed network and the number of products we sell to each customer.
+Added: Our network, which we own and operate, passes nearly an estimated 57 million households and businesses across the United States.
+Added: Our strategy is focused on the evolution of our network and products, expansion of our footprint, and the execution of high quality operations, including customer service.
+Added: This strategy allows us to maintain a state-of-the-art network delivering the most compelling converged connectivity services in a capital and time-efficient manner, and in turn, offer advanced services to consumers at highly attractive prices, together with outstanding customer service.
+Added: Offering high quality, competitively priced products and outstanding service allows us to increase both the number of customers we serve over our network and the number of products we sell to each customer.
This combination also reduces the number of service transactions we perform per relationship, yielding higher customer satisfaction and lower customer churn, which results in lower costs to acquire and serve customers and greater profitability.
−Removed: Evolution – Expanding the Capability of Our Network
−Removed: Over the next three years, we plan to evolve our hybrid fiber coaxial network using a number of technologies, including spectrum expansion, initially to 1.2 GHz and then to 1.8 GHz, high splits to increase upstream speeds, Distributed Access Architecture ("DAA") and DOCSIS 4.0 technology.
−Removed: Through this process, which we expect to essentially complete by year end 2025, we will transform our network to enable multi-gigabit data speeds to customers.
−Removed: Those faster speeds will be offered in conjunction with our Spectrum mobile product and Advanced WiFi, providing customers seamless and convenient, ultra-fast converged connectivity in attractively priced packages, including Spectrum One, introduced in October 2022.
+Added: Evolution – Expanding the Capability of Our Network and Products
+Added: Our network and product evolution plan is progressing, with a clear path to delivering symmetrical and multi-gig speeds to our customers across our footprint, meeting the needs of today and anticipating the demand for faster speeds for years to come.
+Added: We continue to evolve our hybrid fiber coaxial network using a number of technologies, including spectrum expansion, initially to 1.2 GHz and then to 1.8 GHz, changing the bandwidth allocation to a "high split" to increase upstream speeds, Distributed Access Architecture ("DAA") and DOCSIS 4.0 technology.
+Added: Through this process, which we expect to complete in 2026, we will transform our network to enable multi-gigabit data speeds to customers.
+Added: Those faster speeds will be offered in conjunction with our Spectrum Mobile product and Advanced WiFi, providing customers seamless and convenient, ultra-fast converged connectivity in attractively priced packages, such as our Spectrum One offer.
In addition, we expect our network evolution to enable us to offer fiber on demand across the majority of our footprint.
−Removed: We also offer a comprehensive video product, and Xumo, a next generation streaming platform jointly owned with Comcast Corporation ("Comcast"), will create an app-based video platform with the ability to provide streaming video packages, leverage our Spectrum TV ® application, aggregate consumer streaming applications, and provide an industry leading voice search.
+Added: In October 2023, we began deploying Xumo Stream Boxes ("Xumo") to new video customers.
+Added: Xumo combines a live TV experience with access to hundreds of content applications, and features unified search and discovery, along with a curated content offering based on the customer's interests and subscriptions.
+Added: Combined with our Spectrum TV ® app, Xumo is now our preferred go-to-market platform for new video sales.
Expansion – Building Our Future by Extending Our Network
−Removed: Rural builds present strategic expansion opportunities of our footprint to unserved and underserved passings.
−Removed: Over the next several years, we expect to invest over $6 billion, a portion of which we expect to offset with government funding including over $1.7 billion of support awarded through December 31, 2022 in the Rural Development Opportunity Fund (“RDOF”) auction and other federal, state and municipal grants.
−Removed: We expect to participate in additional federal, state and municipal grant programs over the coming years.
−Removed: This investment will allow us to offer a suite of broadband connectivity services including fixed Internet, WiFi and mobile to more than one million estimated passings in unserved areas in states where we currently operate.
−Removed: We have also renewed our focus on building to more passings inside and at the edge of our existing network.
+Added: Since inception in the beginning of 2022, we have spent $3.4 billion on our subsidized rural construction initiative and activated approximately 420,000 passings.
+Added: Rural builds present strategic footprint expansion opportunities to unserved and underserved passings.
+Added: Including amounts spent to date, we expect to invest over $8 billion in total in our subsidized rural construction initiative, a portion of which we expect to offset with government funding, including over $2 billion of support awarded through December 31, 2023 in the Rural Development Opportunity Fund (“RDOF”) auction and other federal, state and municipal grants.
+Added: We also expect to participate in additional federal, state and municipal grant programs over the coming years, including the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment ("BEAD") program, if regulatory conditions are conducive to private investment.
+Added: Our rural investments will allow us to offer a suite of broadband connectivity services, including fixed Internet, WiFi and mobile to over 1.6 million passings in unserved areas in states where we currently operate.
+Added: We have also renewed our focus on building to more passings inside and at the edge of our existing and expanding network.
To accomplish all of this, we have invested in new teams, new training and new equipment.
−Removed: These investments will allow us to generate long-term infrastructure-style returns by taking further advantage of the efficiencies of the scale and quality of our network and construction capabilities while offering our high quality products and services to more homes and businesses.
+Added: These investments will allow us to generate long-term infrastructure-style returns by taking further advantage of our scale efficiencies, network quality and construction capabilities, while offering our high quality products and services to more homes and businesses.
Execution – Turning Our Strategy Into Success
−Removed: We have competitive services and promote and package our services in ways that allow customers to have better products and save money.
+Added: Our operating strategy is grounded in our desire to deliver high quality products to consumers at an attractive price.
In addition, our focus on service quality complements our products and price.
−Removed: We improve the customer experience by digitizing service where customers prefer, performing proactive maintenance, and investing in systems and in our operations teams.
−Removed: As part of our investment in operations teams, we are making targeted adjustments to job structure, pay and benefits and career paths to improve the skills and tenure of our workforce.
+Added: We are improving the customer experience by digitizing service where customers prefer, performing proactive maintenance, and improving the quality of our interactions by investing in our systems and operations teams.
+Added: As part of our investment in operations teams, we have made targeted adjustments to job structure, pay and benefits and career paths to improve the skills and tenure of our workforce.
Our principal executive offices are located at 400 Washington Blvd., Stamford, Connecticut 06902.
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Products and Services
−Removed: We offer our customers subscription-based Internet services, video services, and mobile and voice services.
−Removed: Our services are offered to residential and commercial customers on a subscription basis, with prices and related charges based on the types of service selected, whether the services are sold as a “bundle” or on an individual basis, and based on the equipment necessary to receive our services.
+Added: We offer our customers subscription-based Internet services, video services, and mobile and voice services, with prices and related charges based on the types of service selected, whether the services are sold as a “bundle” or on an individual basis, and based on the equipment necessary to receive our services.
Bundled services, including some combination of our Internet, video, voice and/or mobile products are available to substantially all of our passings.
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Enterprise Primary Service Units ("PSUs") (f)
−Removed: (a) We calculate the aging of customer accounts based on the monthly billing cycle for each account.
+Added: (a) We calculate the aging of customer accounts based on the monthly billing cycle for each account in accordance with our collection policies.
On that basis, as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, customers include approximately 135,800 and 144,100 customers, respectively, whose accounts were over 60 days past due, approximately 54,700 and 52,800 customers, respectively, whose accounts were over 90 days past due, and approximately 286,000 and 214,100 customers, respectively, whose accounts were over 120 days past due.
Bad debt expense associated with these past due accounts has been reflected in our consolidated statements of operations.
−Removed: The increase in past due accounts is predominately due to pre-existing and incremental unsubsidized services, including video services, for those customers participating in government assistance programs.
−Removed: These customers are downgraded to a fully subsidized Internet-only service.
−Removed: (b) Customer relationships include the number of customers that receive one or more levels of service, encompassing Internet, video and voice services, without regard to which service(s) such customers receive.
+Added: The increase in accounts past due more than 120 days is predominately due to pre-existing and incremental unsubsidized amounts of customers’ bills for those customers participating in government assistance programs, including video services.
+Added: These customers are downgraded to a subsidized Internet-only service.
+Added: (b) Customer relationships include the number of customers that receive one or more levels of service, encompassing Internet, video, voice and mobile services, without regard to which service(s) such customers receive.
Customers who reside in residential multiple dwelling units (“MDUs”) and that are billed under bulk contracts are counted based on the number of billed units within each bulk MDU.
Total customer relationships exclude enterprise and mobile-only customer relationships.
−Removed: (c) Monthly residential revenue per residential customer is calculated as total residential annual revenue divided by twelve divided by average residential customer relationships during the respective year and excludes mobile revenue and customers.
−Removed: (d) Monthly SMB revenue per SMB customer is calculated as total SMB annual revenue divided by twelve divided by average SMB customer relationships during the respective year and excludes mobile revenue and customers.
+Added: (c) Monthly residential revenue per residential customer is calculated as total residential annual revenue divided by twelve divided by average residential customer relationships during the respective year and excludes mobile-only customers.
+Added: (d) Monthly SMB revenue per SMB customer is calculated as total SMB annual revenue divided by twelve divided by average SMB customer relationships during the respective year and excludes mobile-only customers.
(e) Mobile lines include phones and tablets which require one of our standard rate plans (e.g., "Unlimited" or "By the Gig").
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We offer Spectrum Internet products with speeds up to 1 Gbps across our entire footprint.
−Removed: Spectrum Internet bundled with our in-home Advanced WiFi allows multiple people within a single household to stream high definition (“HD”) video content while simultaneously using our Internet service for other purposes including two-way video conferencing, among other things.
+Added: Spectrum Internet bundled with our in-home Advanced WiFi allows multiple people within a single household to stream high definition (“HD”) video content while simultaneously using our Internet service for other purposes including two-way video conferencing, gaming and virtual reality, among other things.
Our in-home WiFi product provides our Internet customers with high performance wireless routers and a managed WiFi service to maximize their wireless Internet experience.
−Removed: We offer Advanced WiFi service across nearly all of our residential footprint along with WiFi 6 routers capable of delivering speeds over 1 Gbps.
−Removed: With Advanced WiFi, customers enjoy a cloud-optimized WiFi connection and have the ability to view and control their WiFi network through our Spectrum application (“My Spectrum App”).
−Removed: The service enables parental control schedules to be set for children’s devices or limit access entirely to unknown devices attempting to access the network.
+Added: We offer Advanced WiFi service across all of our footprint along with WiFi 6E routers capable of delivering speeds over 2 Gbps.
+Added: With Advanced WiFi, customers enjoy a cloud-optimized WiFi connection and have the ability to view and control their WiFi network through our Spectrum app (“My Spectrum App”).
+Added: The service enables parental control schedules to be set for children’s devices or to limit access entirely to unknown devices attempting to access the network.
+Added: We also offer Spectrum Security Shield across our footprint which protects all devices in the home using network-based security.
+Added: Spectrum Security Shield is an automatically-enabled security feature that works to defend our customers and their devices from online threats by detecting and blocking malicious websites, phishing scams, data theft and Internet-originated attacks against devices in the home.
Customers also have the option to add Spectrum WiFi pods to Advanced WiFi.
WiFi pods are small, discreet access points that plug into electrical outlets in the home, providing broader and more consistent WiFi coverage.
−Removed: In 2022, we began rolling out Spectrum Security Shield across the residential footprint which protects all devices in the home using network-based security.
−Removed: This free security suite provides end point protection to computers in the home, enabling protection against computer viruses, spyware and threats from malicious actors across the Internet.
We also offer the capabilities of the Advanced WiFi service to MDUs as Advanced Community WiFi (“ACW”).
−Removed: With ACW, tenants will receive the same visibility and control over their apartment’s WiFi networks through the My Spectrum App, while building managers will be able to see and manage the entire building’s network through a purpose-built property service portal.
−Removed: Our Spectrum Mobile service is offered to customers subscribing to our Internet service, and runs on Verizon Communications Inc.’s ("Verizon") mobile network, combined with Spectrum WiFi.
−Removed: We offer nationwide fifth generation ("5G") service at no incremental cost to our mobile customers enabling them to stream content several times faster and reducing latency when connecting to apps or webpages where 5G coverage exists.
−Removed: In addition, we continue to focus on improving the customer experience and integrating our mobile and fixed Internet products, providing greater WiFi access, speeds and performance using more than 500,000 of our out-of-home WiFi access points across our footprint combined with approximately 25 million out-of-home WiFi access points from other networks with which we partner, providing near nationwide coverage.
−Removed: In 2022, we launched an enhancement to our connectivity services with Spectrum Mobile Speed Boost at Home (“Speed Boost”).
+Added: With ACW, tenants receive the same visibility and control over their apartment’s WiFi networks through the My Spectrum App, while building managers will be able to see and manage the entire building’s network through a purpose-built property service portal.
+Added: Our Spectrum Mobile service is offered to customers subscribing to our Internet service and uses both our Spectrum Mobile network (comprised of out-of-home WiFi access points across our footprint combined with out-of-home WiFi access points from other networks with which we partner) as well as leveraging Verizon Communications Inc.’s ("Verizon") cellular network.
+Added: We leverage the Verizon cellular network to provide nationwide coverage including unlimited calls, text and data using Verizon’s fourth generation and fifth generation ("5G") service including their 5G wide band services.
+Added: Spectrum Mobile also uses Verizon’s international roaming partner network to ensure customers have coverage around the globe.
+Added: Customers can use their Spectrum Mobile device to connect to their Spectrum WiFi, which increases speeds and provides a superior experience while in the home.
+Added: In addition, we continue to focus on improving the customer experience and integrating our mobile and fixed Internet products with enhancements such as Spectrum Mobile Speed Boost (“Speed Boost”).
Customers are eligible for Speed Boost if they have both Spectrum Mobile and Spectrum Internet, a DOCSIS 3.1 modem and an Advanced WiFi router.
−Removed: When connected on their Spectrum Mobile device through their secure in-home WiFi private service set identifier (“SSID”), customers are now experiencing the fastest overall speeds up to 1 Gbps.
−Removed: The Spectrum Mobile SSID accelerates offload data from our mobile virtual network operator ("MVNO") cellular network to our own WiFi network and we expect it to be available across our footprint in 2023.
+Added: When connected on their Spectrum Mobile device through Advanced WiFi service, customers are now experiencing the fastest overall speeds up to 1 Gbps.
We provide wireline voice communications services using voice over Internet protocol ("VoIP") technology to transmit digital voice signals over our network.
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Video Services
−Removed: We provide our customers with a choice of video programming services on a variety of platforms including through a digital set-top box or an Internet Protocol ("IP") device.
+Added: We provide our customers with a choice of video programming services on a variety of platforms including through a digital Spectrum Receiver or an Internet Protocol ("IP") device.
Video customers have access to a variety of programming packages with approximately 375 channels available in home and out of home allowing our customers to access the programming they want, when they want it, on any device.
−Removed: Our video customers also have access to programmer authenticated applications such as Fox Now, Showtime and ESPN and direct to consumer applications such as Netflix and YouTube on certain set-top boxes.
−Removed: In June 2022, we entered into a joint venture with Comcast to develop and offer a next-generation streaming platform, Xumo, with the ability to provide streaming video packages, leverage our Spectrum TV ® application, aggregate consumer streaming applications, and provide an industry leading voice search, with the benefit of new revenue streams.
+Added: Our video customers also have access to programmer authenticated applications such as Fox Sports, Starz, NBC, ESPN and CBS and direct-to-consumer ("DTC") applications such as Disney+ which, beginning in 2024, is included with a customer’s video subscription at no additional cost.
Our video service also includes access to an interactive programming guide with parental controls, and in virtually all of our footprint, video on demand (“VOD”) or pay-per-view services.
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VOD services are also offered on a subscription basis, included in a digital tier premium channel subscription, or for a monthly fee.
−Removed: Pay-per-view channels allow customers to pay on a per-event basis to view a single showing of a one-time special sporting event, music concert, or similar event on a commercial-free basis.
−Removed: We also offer digital video recorder (“DVR”) service that enables customers to digitally record programming and to pause and rewind live programming on set-top boxes and cloud DVR service, which allows customers to schedule, record and watch their favorite programming anytime from connected IP devices as well as SpectrumTV.com.
−Removed: Customers are increasingly accessing their subscription video content through our highly rated Spectrum TV application via mobile devices and connected IP devices, such as Roku, Xumo TV and Samsung TV.
−Removed: Access to the Spectrum TV application is included in all Spectrum TV video plans and allows users to stream content across a growing number of platforms as well as access their full TV lineup, watch on demand content and gives them the ability to program their DVR from anywhere.
−Removed: Customers are also able to purchase their video services within the Spectrum TV application.
+Added: Pay-per-view channels allow customers with a set-top box to pay on a per-event basis to view a single showing of a one-time special sporting event, music concert, or similar event on a commercial-free basis.
+Added: We also offer digital video recorder (“DVR”) service that enables customers to digitally record programming and to pause and rewind live programming on set-top boxes.
+Added: Our cloud DVR service allows customers to schedule, record and watch their favorite programming anytime from the Spectrum TV app as well as SpectrumTV.com.
+Added: In October 2023, we began deploying Xumo to new video customers.
+Added: Xumo combines a live TV experience with access to hundreds of content applications and features unified search and discovery along with a curated content offering based on the customer's interests and subscriptions.
+Added: Combined with our Spectrum TV app, Xumo is now our preferred go-to-market platform for new video sales.
+Added: Customers are increasingly accessing their subscription video content through our highly rated Spectrum TV app via mobile devices and connected IP devices, such as Xumo, Roku and Samsung TV.
+Added: Access to the Spectrum TV app is included in all Spectrum TV video plans.
+Added: The Spectrum TV app allows users to stream content across a growing number of platforms as well as access their full TV lineup and watch on demand content.
+Added: It also supports DVR functionality through our cloud DVR offering.
Commercial Services
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Spectrum Business offers Internet, voice and video services to SMBs over our hybrid fiber coaxial network.
+Added: In 2023, we launched Advanced WiFi service to SMBs, which leverages the residential platform features, including Security Shield, with features specific to small and medium-size business such as a guest service set identifier (“SSID”).
In addition, we offer our Spectrum Mobile service to SMB customers.
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Spectrum Business also includes a set of business services including static IP and business WiFi, e-mail and security, and voice services through either a traditional voice offering or hosted voice solution.
−Removed: In December 2022, we launched Spectrum Business Connect with RingCentral as our new SMB communications solution that includes Spectrum Internet, voice and complementary mobility features, and allows our customers’ remote and office employees to stay more easily connected regardless of their location.
+Added: Spectrum Business Connect with RingCentral is an SMB communications solution that includes Spectrum Internet, voice and complementary mobility features allowing our customers’ remote and office employees to stay more easily connected regardless of their location.
We also offer Wireless Internet Backup to our SMB customers which is designed to enhance and protect Internet service for SMBs in the event of a network disruption.
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firewall, Distributed Denial of Service (“DDoS”) protection) challenges.
−Removed: To meet the communications needs of these more sophisticated customers, Spectrum Enterprise also offers an array of voice trunking services and unified messaging, communications and collaboration solutions.
−Removed: In December 2022, we launched Unified Communications with RingCentral, which integrates Spectrum Enterprise’s managed services to complement its other solutions and gives customers more choices for enhancing their digital experience across locations and devices.
−Removed: In addition, for
−Removed: industries such as hospitality, education and healthcare where specialized video solutions are demanded, Spectrum Enterprise offers a wide range of solutions designed to meet those requirements.
+Added: meet the communications needs of these more sophisticated customers, Spectrum Enterprise also offers an array of voice trunking services and unified messaging, communications and collaboration solutions.
+Added: We offer Unified Communications with RingCentral, which integrates Spectrum Enterprise’s managed services to complement its other solutions and gives customers more choices for enhancing their digital experience across locations and devices.
+Added: In addition, for industries such as hospitality, education and healthcare where specialized video solutions are demanded, Spectrum Enterprise offers a wide range of solutions designed to meet those requirements.
Spectrum Enterprise serves businesses nationally by combining its large serviceable footprint with a robust portfolio of fiber lit buildings and a significant wholesale partner network.
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Additionally, we sell the advertising inventory of our owned and operated local sports and news channels, of our regional sports networks that carry Los Angeles Lakers’ basketball games and other sports programming and of SportsNet LA, a regional sports network that carries Los Angeles Dodgers’ baseball games and other sports programming.
−Removed: In 2022, we expanded our deployment of household addressability ("HHA"), which allows for more precise targeting across our footprint.
−Removed: Additionally, in conjunction with other MVPDs, Spectrum Reach enables multi-channel cable networks (e.g.
−Removed: AMC, Discovery) to deploy HHA on their own inventory in our footprint, charging them an enablement fee.
−Removed: We also continue to further enhance our Ad Portal, which allows small businesses to purchase local cable advertising and/or creative services via our web portal with limited sales personnel interaction at a price within their budgets.
+Added: In conjunction with other multichannel video programming distributors (“MVPDs”), Spectrum Reach enables multi-channel cable networks (e.g.
+Added: AMC, Univision) to deploy household addressability on their own inventory in our footprint, charging them an enablement fee.
+Added: We also offer Ad Portal, which allows small businesses to purchase local cable advertising and/or creative services via our web portal with limited sales personnel interaction at a price within their budgets.
Our fully deployed Audience App, which uses our proprietary set-top box viewership data (all anonymized and aggregated), allows us to create data-driven linear TV campaigns for local advertisers.
−Removed: In 2022, Spectrum Reach launched its first programmatic sales platform allowing advertising agencies and advertisers to buy inventory in a fully automated way.
−Removed: Streaming TV, which is largely comprised of Spectrum TV application impressions, as well as those from numerous over-the-top streaming content providers, is part of our suite of advanced advertising products available to the marketplace.
+Added: Spectrum Reach also offers a programmatic sales platform allowing advertising agencies and advertisers to buy inventory in a fully automated way.
+Added: Streaming TV, which is largely comprised of Spectrum TV app impressions, as well as those from numerous over-the-top streaming content providers, is part of our suite of advanced advertising products available to the marketplace.
Spectrum Reach is also now employing multi-screen deterministic attribution services for television and streaming services that lets advertisers know the effectiveness of their advertising on Spectrum Reach’s platform.
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The affiliate, advertising, production and programming agreements continue through 2038.
−Removed: We also own 26.8% of Sterling Entertainment Enterprises, LLC (doing business as SportsNet New York), a New York City-based regional sports network that carries New York Mets’ baseball games as well as other regional sports programming.
+Added: 26.8% of Sterling Entertainment Enterprises, LLC (doing business as SportsNet New York), a New York City-based regional sports network that carries New York Mets’ baseball games as well as other regional sports programming.
News Channels
We own and manage 38 local news channels, including Spectrum News NY1 ® and Spectrum News SoCal, 24-hour news channels focused on New York City and Los Angeles, respectively.
−Removed: Our local news channels connect the diverse communities and neighborhoods we serve providing 24/7 hyperlocal content, focusing on news, programming and storytelling that addresses the deeper needs and interests of our customers.
+Added: Our local news channels connect the diverse communities and neighborhoods we serve providing 24/7 news, weather and community content focused on hyperlocal stories that address the deeper needs and interests of our customers.
Customers can also read, watch and listen to news stories by our Spectrum News journalists and local partner publications on their mobile device on our Spectrum News application and certain smart TVs and streaming devices.
+Added: Community Solutions
+Added: Spectrum Community Solutions (“SCS”) delivers broadband connectivity solutions to apartments, single-family gated communities, off-campus student housing, senior residences and RV parks and marinas.
+Added: Services offered by SCS include Internet speeds up to 2 Gbps, property-wide managed WiFi coverage, and traditional and streaming video packages, as well as customized fiber and coaxial solutions for new construction and established communities.
+Added: SCS also manages our relationships with third-party resellers of Spectrum services to small and medium-size businesses as well as large, complex coax customers.
+Added: In addition, SCS is responsible for our non-bulk MDU salesforce covering sales within existing, serviceable MDU properties.
+Added: Our SCS bulk customers are serviced by dedicated call centers.
Pricing of Our Products and Services
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In addition, many of our customers are eligible for a subsidy through the Federal Communications Commission's ("FCC") Affordable Connectivity Program ("ACP") which provides eligible low-income households with up to $30 per month towards Internet service.
−Removed: In October 2022, we introduced Spectrum One, which brings together in a high-value package, Spectrum Internet, Advanced WiFi and Unlimited Spectrum Mobile, offering consumers fast, reliable and secure online connections on their favorite devices at home and on-the-go.
+Added: The FCC has announced that ACP funding is expected to run out in April 2024 and has prohibited service providers from enrolling new ACP customers after February 7, 2024.
+Added: Our Spectrum One offering, which brings together Spectrum Internet, Advanced WiFi and Unlimited Spectrum Mobile, offers consumers fast, reliable and secure online connections on their favorite devices at home and on-the-go in a high-value package.
Alternatively, our mobile customers can choose one of two simple ways to pay for data.
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Both our national backbone and regional/metro network components utilize a redundant IP ring/mesh fiber architecture.
−Removed: The national backbone component provides connectivity from regional demarcation points to nationally centralized content, connectivity and services.
+Added: backbone component provides connectivity from regional demarcation points to nationally centralized content, connectivity and services.
The regional/metro network components provide connectivity between the regional demarcation points and headends within a specific geographic area and enable the delivery of content and services between these network components.
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For our Spectrum Enterprise customers, fiber optic cable is extended to the customer’s site.
−Removed: For certain new buildouts, including for our rural construction initiative, and MDU sites, we utilize a fiber deployment.
+Added: For most new buildouts, including for our rural construction initiative, and MDU sites, we utilize a fiber deployment.
We believe that this hybrid network design provides high capacity and signal quality with a cost efficient path to increased speeds.
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• the ability to upgrade capacity at a lower incremental capital cost relative to our competitors;
−Removed: • a powered network enabling Advanced WiFi out-of-home and our future 5G small cell access points.
+Added: • a powered network enabling out-of-home Advanced WiFi and 5G small cell access points.
Our systems currently provide a two-way all-digital platform, leveraging DOCSIS 3.1 technology and bandwidth of 750 megahertz or greater, to virtually all of our estimated passings.
−Removed: This bandwidth-rich network enables us to offer a large selection of HD channels and Spectrum Internet Gig across all of our footprint which enables us to provide fast, reliable and secure online connections and meet nearly all current residential customer demands today.
−Removed: Over the next three years, we intend to deploy network enhancements to upgrade our footprint initially expanding our spectrum to 1.2 Ghz through a module upgrade in the hub, node and amplifier and using high splits to deliver multi-gig speed capabilities while using the current DOCSIS 3.1 customer premise equipment.
−Removed: Later, we will continue to expand our spectrum to 1.2 Ghz but will use DAA to deliver even faster speeds when using the next generation of DOCSIS modem, DOCSIS 4.0.
−Removed: Next, we will begin to deploy DOCSIS 4.0 technology, to further increase our spectrum to 1.8 Ghz enabling even higher speed capabilities.
−Removed: This network evolution will also allow us to extend fiber services to the home in a success based “Fiber on Demand” manner and is the technology currently deployed in our rural fiber buildouts.
+Added: This bandwidth-rich network enables us to offer a large selection of HD channels and Spectrum Internet Gig across all of our footprint which enables us to provide fast, reliable and secure online connections, meeting current customer demands.
+Added: Through our network evolution initiative, we are currently expanding our spectrum to 1.2 Ghz through a module upgrade in the hub, node and amplifier and using high splits and DAA to deliver multi-gig speed capabilities while using the current DOCSIS 3.1 customer premise equipment.
+Added: When paired with the next generation of DOCSIS modem, DOCSIS 4.0, we will be able to deliver even faster speeds.
+Added: Next, we will begin to deploy DOCSIS 4.0 technology in the network, and further increase our spectrum to 1.8 Ghz enabling even higher speed capabilities.
+Added: This network evolution will also allow us to extend fiber services to the home in a success based “Fiber on Demand” manner.
We plan to complement our wireline investments with planned WiFi upgrades for in-home routers.
−Removed: With nearly 500 million devices connected wirelessly to our network in our customer's homes and businesses, we will unlock our network investments for multi-gigabit speeds through the deployment of WiFi 6E in 2023.
−Removed: We own 210 Citizen Broadband Radio Service ("CBRS") Priority Access Licenses ("PALs") and intend to use these licenses along with unlicensed CBRS spectrum to build our own 5G data-only mobile network on targeted 5G small cell sites leveraging our HFC network to provide power and data connectivity to the majority of the sites.
−Removed: These 5G small cells, combined with growing WiFi capabilities, increase speed and reliability along with improving our cost structure through offload onto our owned networks.
−Removed: In 2022, we began a trial of the 5G network, which will inform our deployment plan for 5G small cell sites, as part of our broader multi-year 5G mobile network buildout, based on disciplined cost reduction targets.
−Removed: Rural Construction Initiative
−Removed: In 2022, we continued our rural broadband construction initiative in which we intend to expand our network to offer a suite of broadband connectivity services including fixed Internet, WiFi and mobile to more than one million estimated passings in unserved areas in states where we currently operate.
−Removed: We expect to invest over $6 billion over the next several years, a portion of which we expect to offset with government funding including over $1.7 billion of support awarded through December 31, 2022 in the RDOF auction and other federal, state and municipal grants, and we expect to participate in additional federal, state and municipal grant programs over the coming years.
+Added: With nearly 500 million devices connected wirelessly to our network in our customers' homes and businesses, we are unlocking our network investments for multi-gigabit speeds through the deployment of WiFi 6E which began in 2023, and a planned shift to WiFi 7 in late 2024.
+Added: We own 210 Citizen Broadband Radio Service ("CBRS") Priority Access Licenses ("PALs").
+Added: We intend to use these licenses along with unlicensed CBRS spectrum to build our own 5G data-only mobile network on targeted 5G small cell sites leveraging our HFC network to provide power and data connectivity to the majority of the sites.
+Added: These 5G small cells, combined with growing WiFi capabilities, increase speed and reliability along with improving our cost structure through offload of wireless data onto our owned networks.
+Added: In 2023, we commercialized our first market with our 5G network and will continue deploying 5G small cell sites in targeted areas of our footprint, as part of our broader multi-year 5G mobile network buildout, based on disciplined cost reduction targets.
+Added: Subsidized Rural Construction Initiative
+Added: In 2023, we continued our subsidized rural construction initiative in which we intend to expand our network to offer a suite of broadband connectivity services, including fixed Internet, WiFi and mobile to over 1.6 million passings in unserved areas in states where we currently operate.
+Added: Since inception in the beginning of 2022, we have spent $3.4 billion on our subsidized rural construction initiative and activated approximately 420,000 passings.
+Added: Including amounts spent to date, we expect to invest over $8 billion in total over the next several years, a portion of which we expect to offset with government funding, including over $2 billion of support awarded through December 31, 2023 in the RDOF auction and other federal, state and municipal grants.
+Added: We also expect to participate in additional federal, state and municipal grant programs over the coming years, including the BEAD program, if regulatory conditions are conducive to private investment.
In addition to construction in areas subsidized by various government grants, we expect to continue rural construction in areas near our current plant and in areas surrounding subsidized construction where synergies can be achieved.
−Removed: These investments will allow us to generate long-term infrastructure-style returns by further taking advantage of the efficiencies of the scale and quality of our network and construction capabilities while offering our high quality products and services to more homes and businesses.
−Removed: We expect these newly-served homes will be enabled to engage in distance learning, remote work, telemedicine and other bandwidth-heavy applications that require high speed broadband connectivity.
+Added: These investments will allow us to generate long-term infrastructure-style returns by further taking advantage of our scale efficiencies, network quality and construction capabilities, while offering
+Added: our high quality products and services to more homes and businesses.
+Added: We expect these newly-served homes will be enabled to engage in remote work, virtual learning, telemedicine and other bandwidth-heavy applications that require high speed broadband connectivity.
Newly-served rural areas will also benefit from our high-value SPP structure including our voice and mobile offerings, as well as our comprehensive selection of video products.
8 unchanged sentences
Regional and local field operations are responsible for customer premise service transactions and maintaining and constructing that portion of our network which is located outdoors.
−Removed: Our field operations
−Removed: strategy includes completing a significant portion of our activity with our employees which we find drives consistent and higher quality services.
+Added: Our field operations strategy includes completing a significant portion of our activity with our employees which we find drives consistent and higher quality services.
In 2023, our in-house field operations workforce handled approximately 80% of our customer premise service transactions.
+Added: In addition, we have been growing our in-house construction teams to perform a portion of our network expansion initiatives.
We continue to focus on improving the customer experience through enhanced product offerings, reliability of services, and delivery of quality customer service.
As part of our operating strategy, we insource most of our customer operations workload.
−Removed: Our in-house call centers handle nearly all of our total customer service calls.
+Added: Our in-house call centers handle all of our customer service calls.
We manage our customer service call centers centrally to ensure a consistent, high quality customer experience.
6 unchanged sentences
In addition, our self-install program has been beneficial for customers who need flexibility in the timing of their installation.
−Removed: We sell our residential and commercial services using national brand platforms known as Spectrum, Spectrum Business, Spectrum Enterprise and Spectrum Reach.
+Added: We sell our residential and commercial services using national brand platforms known as Spectrum, Spectrum Business, Spectrum Enterprise, Spectrum Reach and Spectrum Community Solutions.
These brands reflect our comprehensive approach to industry-leading products, driven by speed, performance and innovation.
2 unchanged sentences
We monitor the effectiveness of our marketing efforts, customer perception, competition, pricing, and service preferences, among other factors, in order to increase our responsiveness to our customers and to improve our sales and customer retention.
−Removed: The marketing organization manages all residential and SMB sales channels including inbound, direct sales, on-line, outbound telemarketing and stores.
−Removed: We believe that offering a wide variety of video programming choices influences a customer’s decision to subscribe to and retain our cable video services.
+Added: The marketing organization manages all residential and SMB sales channels including inbound, direct sales, online, outbound telemarketing and stores.
+Added: We believe that offering a wide variety of video programming choices influences a customer’s decision to subscribe to and retain our video and Internet services.
We obtain basic and premium programming, usually pursuant to written contracts from a number of suppliers.
+Added: We are also beginning to obtain access to the related DTC services pursuant to those contracts.
Media corporation and broadcast station group consolidation has, however, resulted in fewer suppliers and additional selling power on the part of programming suppliers.
Programming is usually made available to us for a license fee, which is generally paid based on the number of customers to whom we make that programming available.
−Removed: Programming license fees may include “volume” discounts and other financial incentives and/or ongoing marketing support, as well as discounts for channel placement or service penetration.
−Removed: For home shopping channels, we typically receive a percentage of the revenue attributable to our customers’ purchases.
+Added: Programming license fees may include various discounts such as “volume” discounts and other financial incentives and/or ongoing marketing support, as well as discounts for service penetration.
+Added: We receive revenue to carry home shopping channels.
We also offer VOD and pay-per-view channels of movies and events that are subject to a revenue split with the content provider.
4 unchanged sentences
("AT&T"), Frontier Communications Corporation (“Frontier”) and Verizon are our primary FTTH competitors.
−Removed: Given the FTTH deployments of our competitors, launches of broadband services offering 1 Gbps speed have recently grown.
−Removed: Several competitors, including AT&T, Frontier, Verizon,
−Removed: WideOpenWest, Inc.
+Added: Given the FTTH deployments of our competitors, launches of broadband services offering 1 Gbps or more of speed have recently grown.
+Added: Several competitors, including AT&T, Frontier, Verizon, WideOpenWest, Inc.
("WOW") and Google Fiber, deliver 1 Gbps broadband speed (and some deliver multi Gbps) in at least a portion of their footprints which overlap our footprint.
2 unchanged sentences
DSL service is offered across our footprint often at prices lower than our Internet services, although typically at speeds much lower than the minimum speeds we offer as part of SPP.
−Removed: In addition, a growing number of commercial areas, such as retail malls, restaurants and airports, offer WiFi Internet service.
+Added: In addition, commercial areas, such as retail malls, restaurants and airports, offer WiFi Internet service.
Numerous local governments are also considering or actively pursuing publicly subsidized WiFi Internet access networks.
+Added: In addition, providers are constructing open access networks that can deliver services from multiple underlying Internet service providers.
These options offer alternatives to cable-based Internet access.
1 unchanged sentence
Video Competition
−Removed: Our residential video service faces competition from DBS service providers, which have a national footprint and compete in all of our operating areas.
+Added: Our residential video service faces growing competition across our footprint from a number of other sources, including companies that deliver linear network programming, movies and television shows on demand and other video content over broadband Internet connections to televisions, computers, tablets and mobile devices.
+Added: These competitors include virtual MVPDs such as Hulu Live, YouTube TV, Sling TV, Philo and DirecTV Stream.
+Added: Other online video business models and products have also developed, some offered by programmers, including, (i) subscription video on demand (“SVOD”) services such as Netflix, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime and Hulu Plus, (ii) programmer DTC applications such as Disney+, Peacock and Paramount+, (iii) ad-supported free online video products, including YouTube and Pluto TV, some of which offer programming for free to consumers that we currently purchase for a fee, (iv) pay-per-view products, such as iTunes, and (v) additional offerings from mobile providers which continue to integrate and bundle video services and mobile products.
+Added: Historically, we have generally viewed SVOD online video services as complementary to our own video offering and, in the case of programmer DTC offerings, have begun to package the DTC services with the linear offerings.
+Added: However, services from virtual MVPDs and DTC offerings, as well as piracy and password sharing, negatively impact the number of customers purchasing our video product.
+Added: Our residential video service also faces competition from DBS service providers, which have a national footprint and compete in all of our operating areas.
DBS providers offer satellite-delivered pre-packaged programming services that can be received by relatively small and inexpensive receiving dishes.
−Removed: DBS providers offer aggressive promotional pricing, exclusive programming and video services that are comparable in many respects to our residential video service.
+Added: DBS providers offer aggressive promotional pricing and video services that are comparable in many respects to our residential video service.
Our residential video service also faces competition from large telecommunications companies, primarily Verizon, which offer wireline video services in significant portions of our operating areas.
−Removed: Our residential video service also faces growing competition across our footprint from a number of other sources, including companies that deliver linear network programming, movies and television shows on demand and other video content over broadband Internet connections to televisions, computers, tablets and mobile devices.
−Removed: These competitors include virtual multichannel video programming distributors (“vMVPDs”) such as Hulu Live, YouTube TV, Sling TV, Philo and DirecTV Stream.
−Removed: Other online video business models and products have also developed, some offered by programmers that have not traditionally sold programming directly to consumers, including, (i) subscription video on demand (“SVOD”) services such as Netflix, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime, Hulu Plus, Disney+, HBO Max, Peacock, Paramount+, AMC+, Starz and Showtime Anytime, (ii) ad-supported free online video products, including YouTube and Pluto TV, some of which offer programming for free to consumers that we currently purchase for a fee, (iii) pay-per-view products, such as iTunes, and (iv) additional offerings from mobile providers which continue to integrate and bundle video services and mobile products.
−Removed: Historically, we have generally viewed SVOD online video services as complementary to our own video offering.
−Removed: As the proliferation of online video services grows, however, services from vMVPDs and direct to consumer offerings, as well as piracy and password sharing, negatively impact the number of customers purchasing our video product.
Voice Competition
4 unchanged sentences
Our mobile service faces competition from national mobile network operators including AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile US, Inc.
−Removed: ("T-Mobile"), fixed wireless providers, as well as a variety of regional operators and mobile virtual network operators.
−Removed: Most carriers offer unlimited data packages to customers while some also offer free devices.
+Added: ("T-Mobile"), as well as a variety of regional operators and mobile virtual network operators.
+Added: Most carriers offer unlimited data packages to customers while some also offer free or highly discounted devices.
Various operators also offer wireless Internet services delivered over networks which they continue to enhance to deliver faster speeds.
AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile continue to expand 5G mobile services.
−Removed: Additionally, in connection with Dish Network Corporation’s acquisition of Sprint Corporation’s (“Sprint”) prepaid mobile services businesses, the FCC and Department of Justice ("DOJ") have imposed a timeline on Dish Network Corporation (70% by June 2023) for 5G network development and expansion.
+Added: Additionally, Dish Network Corporation completed its 5G network development and expansion and now offers 5G broadband service to over 70% of the U.S.
We also compete for retail activations with other resellers that buy bulk wholesale service from wireless service providers for resale.
11 unchanged sentences
Advertising competition has increased and will likely continue to increase as new advertising platforms seek to attract the same advertisers.
−Removed: We compete for advertising revenue against, among others, local broadcast stations, national cable and broadcast networks, radio stations, print media and online advertising companies and content providers.
+Added: We compete for advertising revenue against, among others, local broadcast stations, national cable and broadcast networks, radio stations, print media, connected device platforms and online advertising companies and content providers.
Seasonality and Cyclicality
14 unchanged sentences
We cannot provide assurance that the already extensive regulation of our business will not be expanded in the future.
−Removed: In addition, through May 2023, we are subject to Charter-specific conditions regarding certain business practices as a result of the FCC’s approval of the merger in 2016 with Time Warner Cable Inc.
−Removed: (“TWC”) and acquisition of Bright House Networks, LLC (“Bright House”).
Video Service
5 unchanged sentences
Pole Attachments
−Removed: The Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the “Communications Act”), requires many investor-owned utilities owning utility poles to provide cable systems with access to poles and conduits and also subjects the rates charged for this access to either federal or state regulation.
−Removed: The federally regulated rates now applicable to pole attachments used for cable or telecommunications services, including when offered together with Internet service, are substantially similar.
+Added: The Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the “Communications Act”), requires investor-owned utilities to provide cable systems with access to poles and conduits upon non-discriminatory terms and at rates that are subject to either federal or state regulation.
+Added: The federally regulated rates applicable to pole attachments used for cable or telecommunications services, including when offered together with Internet service, are substantially similar.
The FCC's approach does not directly affect the rate in states that self-regulate, but many of those states have substantially the same rate for all communications attachments.
−Removed: We sometimes face challenges getting access to poles in rural areas when the FCC pole attachment rules do not apply.
+Added: We sometimes face challenges getting access to poles in rural areas where upfront construction and make ready costs can be higher and where pole owners may be slow to grant our permit requests, especially when the FCC pole attachment rules do not apply.
Other FCC Regulatory Matters
19 unchanged sentences
New spectrum obtained by other parties could also lead to additional wireless competition to our existing and future services.
−Removed: It is possible that Congress or the FCC will expand or modify its regulation of cable systems or the services delivered over cable systems and competing services in the future, and we cannot predict at this time how that might impact our business.
+Added: It is possible that Congress or the FCC will expand or modify its regulation of cable systems or the services delivered over cable systems and competing services in the future.
+Added: For example, in December 2023, the FCC sought comment on a proposed rule that would prohibit cable television providers from charging fees for early termination of a contract and would require
+Added: them to provide a prorated credit or rebate for the remaining days in a billing cycle after the cancellation of video service.
+Added: We cannot predict at this time what new requirements may be adopted and how such changes might impact our business.
The carriage of television and radio broadcast signals by cable systems are subject to a federal compulsory copyright license.
8 unchanged sentences
For example, federal law imposes a cap on franchise fees of 5% of gross revenues from the provision of cable services over the cable system.
−Removed: In 2019, the FCC
−Removed: clarified that the value of in-kind contribution requirements set forth in cable franchises is subject to the statutory cap on franchise fees, and it reaffirmed that state and local authorities are barred from imposing franchise fees on revenues derived from non-cable services, such as Internet services, provided by cable operators over cable systems.
+Added: In 2019, the FCC clarified that the value of in-kind contribution requirements set forth in cable franchises is subject to the statutory cap on franchise fees, and it reaffirmed that state and local authorities are barred from imposing franchise fees on revenues derived from non-cable services, such as Internet services, provided by cable operators over cable systems.
Those rules were generally upheld by a federal court in 2021.
8 unchanged sentences
In 2017, the FCC reversed its 2015 decision and eliminated the 2015 rules, other than a transparency requirement, which obligates us to disclose performance statistics and other service information to consumers.
−Removed: It is possible that the FCC might again revise its approach to broadband Internet access, or that Congress might enact legislation affecting the rules applicable to the service.
+Added: In 2023, the FCC opened a new net neutrality proceeding in which it proposed rules that would again reclassify our Internet access services as telecommunications services and thereby subject the services to additional regulation including rules that would prohibit Internet service providers from engaging in paid prioritization, throttling, or content blocking.
+Added: We cannot predict the outcome of that proceeding or legal challenges to any new rules.
+Added: It is also possible that Congress might enact legislation affecting the rules applicable to our Internet access services.
The application of new legal requirements to our Internet services could adversely affect our business.
−Removed: The FCC recently adopted new rules to expand the surviving transparency requirement by requiring us to post standardized labels similar to the format of food nutrition labels for each of our currently available consumer Internet offerings.
−Removed: These new rules are scheduled to take effect six months after approval by the federal Office of Management and Budget.
+Added: In 2022, the FCC adopted new rules to expand the surviving transparency requirement by requiring Internet service providers to post standardized labels disclosing their network management policies and performance of our broadband Internet access services similar to the format of food nutrition labels for each of our currently available consumer Internet offerings.
+Added: These new rules are scheduled to become applicable to our services in April 2024.
The 2017 FCC decision reclassifying Internet access services also ruled that state regulators may not impose obligations similar to federal network neutrality obligations that the FCC eliminated, but this blanket prohibition was vacated by the U.S.
6 unchanged sentences
We cannot predict what other legislation and regulations may be adopted by states or how challenges to such requirements will be resolved.
−Removed: In recent years, the federal, state and local governments have offered billions of dollars in subsidies to companies deploying broadband to areas deemed to be “unserved” or “underserved,” using funds from the FCC’s RDOF auction in 2020, The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ARPA”), and The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (the “IIJA”).
+Added: In March 2023, the FTC proposed rules that would limit the ability of companies that offer subscription services to make retention offers to consumers who are considering canceling their service.
+Added: The rules would also apply to our video and voice services.
+Added: We cannot predict the outcome of that proceeding or legal challenges to any new rules.
+Added: The application of the proposed rules could adversely affect our business.
+Added: In November 2023, the FCC adopted new rules governing digital discrimination, pursuant to The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (the “IIJA”), to prevent discrimination of access to broadband Internet services.
+Added: These rules are scheduled to go into effect in 2024, but have been challenged in federal court and the outcome of such challenge cannot be predicted.
+Added: The application of the proposed rules could adversely affect our business.
+Added: In recent years, the federal, state and local governments have offered billions of dollars in subsidies to companies deploying broadband to areas deemed to be “unserved” or “underserved,” using funds from the FCC’s RDOF auction in 2020, The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ARPA”), and IIJA.
We support such subsidies, provided they are not directed to areas that are already served, and have sought and expect to continue to seek subsidies for our own broadband construction in unserved and underserved areas through programs including RDOF and those created pursuant to ARPA and, if regulatory requirements are reasonable, the IIJA.
2 unchanged sentences
If we fail to meet these obligations, we could be subject to substantial government penalties.
+Added: Also, the FCC has adopted rules for service providers to report broadband availability, pursuant to the Broadband Data Act.
+Added: Providers are required to report their service areas twice a year.
+Added: The service areas reported are subject to challenge.
+Added: A broadband provider who provides inaccurate maps may be subject to enforcement action by the FCC.
+Added: The FCC can also fine a provider for filing incorrect maps.
The market for our Internet services is affected by participation in and the general availability of programs that offer federal subsidies for certain low-income consumers for the purchase of Internet access service.
−Removed: In 2021, pursuant to Congressional
−Removed: appropriation for COVID relief, the FCC established a temporary monthly Emergency Broadband Benefit Program ("EBBP") subsidy of up to $50 for most eligible low-income households.
−Removed: With the funding for EBBP set to run out, Congress in the IIJA authorized $14.2 billion for the successor ACP that provides up to a $30 monthly discount for most eligible customers paid to the household’s broadband provider.
−Removed: We elected to participate in the EBBP and ACP, and the FCC regulates many of the terms on which we provide ACP services, including restrictions on our ability to refuse service to prospective eligible customers based upon their credit or payment history.
−Removed: The ACP discount enables eligible households to purchase our Spectrum Internet Assist service at no cost to them, and we cannot predict whether Congress or the FCC will provide additional funding to extend the ACP, or on what terms, when ACP funding runs out, which is expected to be at some point in 2024.
+Added: In 2021, pursuant to Congressional appropriation for COVID relief, the FCC established a temporary monthly Emergency Broadband Benefit Program ("EBB") subsidy of up to $50 for most eligible low-income households.
+Added: With the funding for EBB set to run out, Congress in the IIJA authorized $14.2 billion for the successor ACP that provides up to a $30 monthly discount for most eligible customers paid to the household’s broadband provider.
+Added: We elected to participate in the EBB and ACP, and the FCC regulates many of the terms on which we provide ACP services, including restrictions on our ability to refuse service to prospective eligible customers based upon their credit or payment history.
+Added: The FCC's Enforcement Bureau or Office of Inspector General can also audit our ACP customer base and could assess fines or recoup subsidies if our customer qualifications were inappropriate.
+Added: The ACP discount enables eligible households to purchase our Spectrum Internet Assist and other promotional broadband service tiers at no cost to them.
+Added: Existing ACP funding is expected to run out in April 2024, and we cannot predict whether Congress or the FCC will provide additional funding to extend the ACP, or on what terms.
Wireline Voice Service
−Removed: The FCC has never classified the VoIP wireline telephone services we offer as “telecommunications services” that are subject to traditional federal common carrier regulation, but instead has imposed some of these regulatory requirements on a case-by-case basis, such as requirements relating to 911 emergency services (“E911”), Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (“CALEA”) (the statute governing law enforcement access to and surveillance of communications), Universal Service Fund contributions, customer privacy and Customer Proprietary Network Information protections, number portability, network outage reporting, rural call completion, disability access, regulatory fees, back-up power, robocall mitigation and discontinuance of service.
+Added: The FCC has never classified the VoIP wireline telephone services we offer as “telecommunications services” that are subject to traditional federal common carrier regulation, but instead has imposed some of these regulatory requirements on a case-by-case basis, such as requirements relating to 911 emergency services (“E911”), Communications Assistance for Law
+Added: Enforcement Act (“CALEA”) (the statute governing law enforcement access to and surveillance of communications), Universal Service Fund contributions, customer privacy and Customer Proprietary Network Information (“CPNI”) protections, number portability, network and/or 911 outage reporting, rural call completion, disability access, regulatory fees, back-up power, robocall mitigation and discontinuance of service.
It is possible that the FCC or Congress will impose additional federal requirements on our VoIP telephone services in the future.
Our VoIP telephone services are subject to certain state and local regulatory fees such as E911 fees and contributions to state universal service funds.
−Removed: Additionally, to comply with RDOF program requirements, we have chosen in the RDOF areas to offer Lifeline VoIP telephone services subject to traditional federal and state common carrier regulations.
+Added: Additionally, in California and New York and to comply with RDOF program requirements, we have chosen in the RDOF areas to offer Lifeline VoIP telephone services subject to traditional federal and state common carrier regulations.
Except where we have chosen to offer VoIP telephone services in such a manner, we believe that our VoIP telephone services should be governed primarily by federal regulation.
2 unchanged sentences
California has imposed reporting and other obligations on our VoIP services, including backup power requirements, and has proposed the imposition of service quality metrics on VoIP services.
+Added: California is also currently assessing requiring providers of VoIP services to comply with new registration and/or certification requirements in order to conduct business in the state.
We have registered with or obtained certificates or authorizations from the FCC and the state regulatory authorities in those states in which we offer competitive voice services in order to ensure the continuity of our services.
However, it is unclear whether and how these and other ongoing regulatory matters ultimately will be resolved.
−Removed: State regulatory commissions and legislatures may continue to consider imposing regulatory requirements on our fixed telephone services.
+Added: State regulatory commissions and legislatures may continue to consider imposing regulatory requirements on our fixed wireline voice telephone services.
Mobile Service
Our Spectrum Mobile service offers mobile Internet access and telephone service.
−Removed: We provide this service as an MVNO using Verizon’s network and our network through Spectrum WiFi.
+Added: We provide this service as a mobile virtual network operator ("MVNO") using Verizon’s network and our network through Spectrum WiFi.
As an MVNO, we are subject to many of the same FCC regulations that apply to facilities-based wireless carriers, as well as certain state or local regulations, including (but not limited to):
E911, local number portability, customer privacy, CALEA, universal service fund contribution, robocall mitigation and hearing aid compatibility and safety and emission requirements for mobile devices.
−Removed: Spectrum Mobile’s broadband Internet access service is also subject to the FCC’s transparency rule.
+Added: Spectrum Mobile’s broadband Internet access service is also subject to the FCC’s transparency rule and will be subject to the new labeling rules scheduled to become applicable to us in April 2024.
The FCC or other regulatory authorities may adopt new or different regulations for MVNOs and/or mobile service providers in the future, or impose new taxes or fees applicable to Spectrum Mobile, which could adversely affect the service offering or our business generally.
3 unchanged sentences
We are subject to additional federal, state, and local laws and regulations that impose additional restrictions on the collection, use and disclosure of consumer information.
−Removed: All broadband providers are also obliged by CALEA to configure their networks in a manner that facilitates the ability of state and federal law enforcement, with proper legal process authorized under the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, to obtain records and information concerning our customers, including the content of their communications.
+Added: All broadband providers are also obliged by CALEA to configure their networks in a manner that facilitates the ability of state and federal law enforcement, with proper legal process authorized under the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, to wiretap and obtain records and information concerning our customers, including the content of their communications.
Further, the FCC, Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”), and many states regulate and restrict the marketing practices of communications service providers, including telemarketing and sending unsolicited commercial emails.
1 unchanged sentence
Our operations are also subject to federal and state laws governing information security.
+Added: All states have data breach notification laws that would require us to inform individuals and regulators in the event of a breach that could impact personal information of our customers.
In the event of an information security breach, such rules may require consumer and government agency notification and may result in regulatory enforcement actions with the potential of monetary forfeitures.
1 unchanged sentence
Various security standards provide guidance to telecommunications companies in order to help identify and mitigate cybersecurity risks.
−Removed: One such standard is the voluntary framework released by the National Institute for Standards and Technology (“NIST”) in 2014 and updated in 2018, in cooperation with other federal agencies and owners and operators of U.S.
−Removed: critical infrastructure.
−Removed: The NIST cybersecurity framework provides a prioritized and flexible model for organizations to identify and manage cyber risks inherent to their business.
−Removed: It was designed to supplement, not supersede, existing cybersecurity regulations and requirements.
−Removed: Several government agencies have encouraged compliance with the NIST cybersecurity framework, including the FCC and Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (“CISA”).
−Removed: We voluntarily follow NIST as part of our overall cybersecurity program.
−Removed: The FCC is considering expansion of its cybersecurity guidelines or the adoption of cybersecurity requirements.
−Removed: CISA is also developing cyber incident reporting rules, pursuant to 2022 legislative requirements, that require critical infrastructure entities to report substantial cyber incidents within 72 hours of their discovery.
−Removed: Many states and local authorities have considered legislative or other actions that would impose restrictions on our ability to collect, use and disclose, and safeguard certain consumer information, particularly with regard to our broadband Internet business.
−Removed: For example, the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”) and Maine’s Act to Protect Privacy of Online Customer Information both became effective in 2020.
+Added: We describe those standards in Item 1C.
+Added: Cybersercurity - Risk Management and Strategy.
+Added: considering expansion of its cybersecurity guidelines or the adoption of cybersecurity requirements.
+Added: The Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is also developing cyber incident reporting rules, pursuant to 2022 legislative requirements, that require critical infrastructure entities to report substantial cyber incidents within 72 hours of their discovery.
+Added: Many states and local authorities have considered legislative or other actions that would impose restrictions on our ability to collect, use and disclose, and safeguard certain consumer information.
+Added: Many states have enacted comprehensive consumer data privacy laws, and some states have enacted issue-specific privacy laws covering health information and children's information.
+Added: For example, the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”) became effective on January 1, 2020.
The CCPA, under certain circumstances, regulates companies’ use and disclosure of the personal information of California residents and authorizes enforcement actions by the California Attorney General and private class actions for data breaches.
−Removed: In addition, effective January 1, 2023, the California Consumer Privacy Rights Act (“CPRA”) amended CCPA to impose additional obligations on companies that handle the personal information of California residents.
−Removed: The Maine law regulates how Internet service providers use and disclose customers’ personal information and requires Internet service providers to take reasonable measures to protect customers’ personal information.
−Removed: Virginia's new privacy law became effective on January 1, 2023, and Colorado and Connecticut's new privacy laws will become effective later in 2023.
+Added: In addition, effective January 1, 2023, the California Consumer Privacy Rights Act (“CPRA”) amended CCPA to impose additional obligations on companies that handle the personal information of California residents and the California Privacy Protection Agency ("CPPA") issued specific regulations implementing provisions of the CCPA and CPRA effective in 2023 and 2024.
+Added: The Maine Act to Protect Privacy of Online Customer Information, which regulates how Internet service providers use and disclose customers’ personal information and requires Internet service providers to take reasonable measures to protect customers’ personal information, became effective on July 1, 2020.
+Added: Virginia, Colorado and Connecticut's new privacy laws became effective in 2023, and Utah's new privacy law became effective on December 31, 2023.
+Added: New comprehensive data privacy laws are scheduled to become effective in Florida, Oregon and Texas on July 1, 2024, in Montana on October 1, 2024, in Iowa and Delaware on January 1, 2025, in New Jersey on January 6, 2025, in Tennessee on July 1, 2025, and in Indiana on January 1, 2026.
Each of these laws will regulate the way that companies collect, use, and share personal information about consumers.
Several other state legislatures are considering the adoption of new data security and cybersecurity legislation that could result in additional network and information security requirements for our business.
−Removed: The FTC has launched an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“ANPR”) to explore rules related to the collection, analysis, and monetization of consumers' information.
+Added: The FTC has an ongoing Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“ANPR”) to explore rules related to the collection, analysis, and monetization of consumers' information, as well as companies' data security practices and related disclosures to consumers.
Congress may also adopt new privacy and data security obligations.
−Removed: We cannot predict whether any of these efforts will be successful or preempted, or how new legislation and regulations, if any, would affect our business.
−Removed: Remaining Commitments Related to the 2016 Merger with TWC and Acquisition of Bright House
−Removed: In connection with approval of the 2016 merger with TWC and acquisition of Bright House (the “Transactions”), federal and state regulators imposed a number of post-transaction conditions on us, many of which have been fulfilled or have terminated.
−Removed: Remaining federal commitments will expire in 2023 and include the following.
−Removed: FCC Conditions
−Removed: • Refrain from charging usage-based prices or imposing data caps on any fixed mass market broadband Internet access service plans for seven years;
−Removed: • Continue to support CableCARDs for use in third-party retail devices for seven years to the extent applicable following the FCC’s modification of the relevant rules in 2020.
−Removed: The FCC conditions also contain a number of compliance reporting requirements.
−Removed: DOJ Conditions
−Removed: The DOJ Order prohibits us from entering into or enforcing any agreement with a video programmer that forbids, limits or creates incentives to limit the video programmer’s provision of content to online video distributors (“OVDs”).
−Removed: We will not be able to avail ourselves of other distributors’ most favored nation (“MFN”) provisions if they are inconsistent with this prohibition.
−Removed: The DOJ’s conditions are effective for seven years after entry of the final judgment in September 2016.
+Added: We cannot predict whether any of these efforts will be successful, challenged, upheld, vacated, or preempted, or how new legislation and regulations, if any, would affect our business.
Human Capital Management
10 unchanged sentences
• All hourly employees have a starting minimum wage of at least $20 per hour, which is well above any state or federal minimum wage level.
−Removed: • Nearly 85% of our employees are eligible for additional variable compensation based on their performance (e.g., annual performance bonus or sales commission).
−Removed: • We offer enhanced career progression opportunities, including annual bonus eligibility for all frontline supervisors and other salaried employees not already on a commission or bonus plan.
+Added: • Nearly 85% of our employees are eligible for additional variable compensation based on their performance, including annual bonus eligibility for all frontline supervisors and other salaried employees not already on a sales commission or bonus plan.
+Added: • We offer enhanced career progression opportunities.
• We provide high-quality, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for all full-time and part-time employees.
−Removed: It is our priority to keep this coverage affordable for our employees and their families, and so for the last ten years, we have absorbed the full premium cost increase for medical, dental, and vision coverage.
−Removed: • We provide competitive financial benefits to all employees such as a 401(k) retirement plan with a dollar for dollar company match up to 6% of their eligible pay.
−Removed: In addition, most of our employees are also eligible to receive an additional non-elective contribution equal to 3% of their eligible pay.
+Added: It is our priority to keep this coverage affordable for our employees and their families, and so for the last eleven years, we have absorbed the full premium cost increase for medical, dental, and vision coverage.
+Added: • We provide competitive financial benefits to all employees such as a 401(k) Plan with a dollar for dollar company match up to 6% of their eligible pay.
+Added: In addition, most of our employees are also eligible to receive an additional non-elective contribution to a Retirement Accumulation Plan equal to 3% of their eligible pay.
• We have a stock incentive plan and grant equity awards to eligible employees on an annual basis.
2 unchanged sentences
We offer thousands of learning experiences spanning leadership development, new hire, and professional skills training both online and in the classroom.
−Removed: • In 2022, we increased our education assistance benefit to provide reimbursement of up to $10,000 per year.
+Added: • In 2023, we introduced a new tuition-free degree and certificate program, removing the financial barrier for employees to continue their education through convenient online learning.
+Added: • We also provide traditional tuition reimbursement of up to $10,000 per year for employees who want to pursue other outside programs.
• The vast majority of our customer-facing roles have the opportunity for upward advancement including through supervisory and leadership roles.
7 unchanged sentences
Diversity and Inclusion
−Removed: • We are committed to diversity and inclusion in every aspect of our business.
−Removed: We strive to deliver high quality products and services that exceed our customers’ expectations, and embrace the unique perspectives and experiences of our employees and partners and the communities we serve.
+Added: • Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is based on our aspiration to reflect the markets and communities we serve, deliver high quality products and services that exceed our customers’ expectations as well as foster an inclusive environment where all employees can thrive and have a long-term career with the company.
• We have five Business Resource Groups (“BRGs”) focused on people with disabilities, the LGBTQ community, employees with multicultural backgrounds, veterans and women.
1 unchanged sentence
Our BRGs have empowered our team members to grow and succeed by providing networking, mentorship and skill-building opportunities.
+Added: • Several initiatives promote inclusion and belonging in our workplace including the BRGs, educational opportunities that build the skills and competency of leaders to foster diverse and inclusive teams as well as additional communications tools and resources.
+Added: • Our efforts are guided by an External Diversity & Inclusion Council and an internal Executive Steering Committee.
+Added: Diversity and Inclusion is addressed with the Board of Directors annually.
Compared sentence by sentence after normalising whitespace, quotation marks, case and digits, so re-formatting and restated figures do not read as changed language. Wording changes appear as one removal and one addition. The current filing and the prior one are authoritative.