What Charter Communications, Inc. told the SEC could break it.

FCC regulation of spectrum (microwave backhaul, broadcast, unlicensed WiFi, CBRS) and video/franchising rules restrict Charter's business practices and add costs; future FCC auction/allocation could favor competitors.

“The FCC regulates spectrum usage in ways that could impact our operations including for microwave backhaul, broadcast, unlicensed WiFi and CBRS. Our ability to access and use spectrum that may become available in the future is uncertain and may be limited by further FCC auction or allocation decisions.”

Charter depends on a limited number of third-party suppliers and licensors for hardware, software and operational support — some of which are sole sources or hold exclusivity via contract or IP rights — to run its network and execute rural-construction initiatives.

“We depend on a limited number of third-party service providers, suppliers and licensors to supply some of the services, hardware, software and operational support necessary to provide some of our services and execute our network evolution and rural construction initiatives. Some of our hardware, software and operational support vendors and service providers represent our sole source of supply or have, either through contract or as a result of intellectual property rights, a position of some exclusivity.”

The California Attorney General and Alameda County DA are investigating whether certain of Charter's waste-disposal policies and practices violate California Business & Professions and Health & Safety codes.

“The California Attorney General and the Alameda County, California District Attorney are investigating whether certain of Charter's waste disposal policies, procedures and practices are in violation of the California Business and Professions Code and the California Health and Safety Code.”