Charter / Spectrum
Flagged · AvoidThe second-largest cable and internet provider in the U.S., operating under the Spectrum brand.
Last updated August 10, 2026
Reasons to avoid
Issues span:Consumer
- Charter admitted to violating FCC rules on notifying public safety officials of network outages and agreed to pay a $15 million civil penalty in 2024. In one case, the company failed to notify more than 1,000 emergency call centers of a service disruption that impacted 911 service.
- Charter repeatedly raised prices even as it lost hundreds of thousands of customers, including a 25% hike to its low income Spectrum Internet Assist plan. The company also raised its Broadcast TV Surcharge to $25.75 per month in early 2024.
- A Texas jury found Charter liable after a Spectrum technician robbed and murdered an 83-year-old customer in her home, citing systemic safety failures and the company's use of a forged document in an attempt to force the case out of court. The jury's $7.37 billion award was later reduced by a judge to $1.15 billion.
- Charter paid a record $174.2 million to settle a New York attorney general lawsuit alleging it promised internet speeds it knew it could not deliver, defrauding more than 700,000 subscribers. The settlement was the largest consumer payout by an internet provider in U.S. history at the time.
Ethical alternatives
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Common Questions
- Is Charter / Spectrum ethical?
- A New York AG lawsuit found Spectrum defrauded over 700,000 subscribers by promising internet speeds it knew it could not deliver, resulting in a record $174.2 million settlement. A Texas jury found Charter liable after a Spectrum technician robbed and murdered an 83-year-old customer, citing systemic safety failures and the use of a forged document to block the lawsuit — a $7.37 billion award later reduced by a judge to $1.15 billion.
- Why should I avoid Charter / Spectrum?
- Charter was found liable for the robbery and murder of an 83-year-old customer by one of its technicians, with a jury citing systemic safety failures — a $7.37 billion verdict later reduced to $1.15 billion. The company has repeatedly raised prices while losing hundreds of thousands of customers, including hiking its low-income Spectrum Internet Assist plan by 25% and raising a broadcast surcharge to $25.75 per month in 2024.
- What are the best ethical alternatives to Charter / Spectrum?
- Sonic is an independent ISP known for privacy protection and gigabit fiber speeds. For TV, YouTube TV and Philo offer no-contract live streaming without hidden fees. A one-time over-the-air antenna purchase delivers free local broadcast channels with no monthly bill.