Charter Communications and Cox Communications merger cleared by the FCC, with $34.5 billion deal set to merge Cox's managed IT, commercial fiber, and cloud assets into Charter. The move aims to expand high-speed networks and lower prices, though past mergers like T-Mobile-Sprint sparked layoffs. Brendan Carr, FCC chair, touts rural broadband investments and job onshoring, but critics note Charter raised prices post-2018 Time Warner Cable merger. The FCC’s focus on DEI safeguards in the deal draws scrutiny, as it diverges from its core competition mandate. Rural Construction Initiative targets underserved areas, a shift from Biden-era broadband efforts under Carr’s leadership.