Business & Finance
AT&T sues Charter over marketing of Spectrum fiber-powered internet
AT&T alleges in a Dallas lawsuit that Charter's "fiber-powered" advertising misleads customers because the service relies on copper coaxial cables for the final connection.
The short version
- AT&T filed a lawsuit against Charter on Friday, claiming that Charter's Spectrum-branded "fiber-powered" internet marketing is deceptive.
- The dispute centers on "last-mile" delivery, with AT&T arguing that true fiber internet must run directly to the home, whereas Charter's service typically uses copper coaxial cables for the final leg.
- Charter previously agreed to modify its marketing disclosures following a challenge by AT&T earlier this year.
Key facts
- AT&T filed a lawsuit against Charter in Dallas, alleging that Charter's marketing of its Spectrum-branded internet service as "fiber-powered" is misleading to consumers.[CNET]
- AT&T argues that true fiber internet runs 100% of the way to the home, whereas Spectrum's network uses copper coaxial cables for the final connection in most cases.[CNET]
- In March, Spectrum agreed to modify its "fiber-powered" advertising statements and disclose that its service is not delivered via fiber-to-the-home infrastructure following an AT&T challenge through the Better Business Bureau's National Advertising Division.[CNET]
- According to FCC data, Spectrum currently self-reports that 2.3% of U.S. households have access to its fiber plans, while 29.9% can access its cable plans.[CNET]
What remains uncertain
- Charter did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the newly filed lawsuit.[CNET]