Media Contact:
Mark Wigfield, (202) 418-0253
mark.wigfield@fcc.gov
For Immediate Release
STATEMENT OF FCC CHAIRMAN AJIT PAI ON DECISION TO REVERSE
CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS OVERBUILD REQUIREMENT
Modification Will Help Close the Digital Divide
WASHINGTON, April 3, 2017—Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai 
released the following statement on the FCC’s recent decision to reverse the Charter Communications 
overbuild requirement:
“My top priority is making sure that any American who wants high-speed Internet access is able 
to get it.  Today, we take another step toward achieving that goal.
“Last year, Charter Communications agreed to build broadband out to two million new customers 
as part of its merger with Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks.  Unfortunately, the FCC 
appended an ‘overbuild’ condition to the order, requiring that half of those new locations be already 
served by another provider.  Since these one million overbuilt deployments would be credited against the 
total, it would substantially reduce buildout to unserved areas.  This is like telling two people you will 
buy them lunch, ordering two entrées, and then sending both to just one of your companions.
“This condition was not and is not in the public interest, and it runs directly against the goal of 
promoting greater Internet access for all Americans.
“Following our decision today, Charter Communications is still obligated to build out to two 
million new locations.  The difference now is that the beneficiaries will be consumers currently on the 
wrong side of the digital divide.  That’s a major difference, and one that will go a long way toward 
helping deliver online opportunity to all Americans.”
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Office of Chairman Ajit Pai: (202) 418-2000
Twitter: @AjitPaiFCC
www.fcc.gov/leadership/ajit-pai
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official
action.  See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).