ST. LOUIS, Jan. 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Charter Communications (NASDAQ: CHTR) customers in Missouri and Southern Illinois will enjoy access to more than 200 high definition (HD) channels*, better picture quality and significantly faster Internet speeds as Charter completes its move to a 100% all-digital network throughout the first half of 2014.
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"By removing outdated analog signals, we regain bandwidth in our network enabling us to provide more HD channels and open the door to faster Internet speeds and future innovation," said Charter President and CEO Tom Rutledge. "This upgrade speaks to the fact that Charter is providing our customers with the very best products at the very best value and we've invested more than $2 billion in our fiber-rich network to make that happen."
The Missouri and Southern Illinois all-digital upgrade is scheduled to begin in mid-January and run through mid-summer, with groups of customers transitioning to an all-digital network on a rolling basis. As part of this upgrade process, customers must take action by acquiring Charter-issued digital set-top boxes for each of their televisions.
With the use of set-top boxes, Charter customers will gain Video On Demand (VOD) access for every television in their home. With more than 12,000 VOD options, including more than 3,000 in HD, Charter is setting a new standard for digital video entertainment.
Charter is making it easy for customers to obtain digital boxes at no cost. Given the staggered rollout, customers will be affected at different times in 2014, and it is important for customers to take action within one month of their scheduled upgrade. Charter will be communicating with customers about their scheduled upgrade date via direct mail, bill messages, outbound calls, and messages that will appear on their television set prior to the cutover.
"More than 90 percent of Charter customers in Missouri and Southern Illinois have adopted digital devices for at least one television in their home," said Jon Hargis, Charter's executive vice president and chief marketing officer. "And we're making it convenient for customers to obtain additional equipment through direct shipment and expanded store locations and hours."
Charter has already completed all-digital upgrades in several markets, including parts of Texas, California, South Carolina, Michigan and Massachusetts – and the company plans to complete the upgrade across its 29-state footprint by the end of 2014.
Customers may visit www.charter.com/digitalnow or call 1-888-GET-CHARTER (1-888-438-2427) for more information.
*Louisiana, MO, Perryville, MO and Ste. Genevieve, MO systems are excluded from this upgrade at this time.
About Charter
Charter (NASDAQ: CHTR) is a leading broadband communications company and the fourth-largest cable operator in the United States. Charter provides a full range of advanced broadband services, including advanced Charter TV® video entertainment programming, Charter Internet® access, and Charter Phone®. Charter Business® similarly provides scalable, tailored, and cost-effective broadband communications solutions to business organizations, such as business-to-business Internet access, data networking, business telephone, video and music entertainment services, and wireless backhaul. Charter's advertising sales and production services are sold under the Charter Media® brand. More information about Charter can be found at charter.com.
SOURCE Charter Communications
Kimberly Noetzel, (320) 229-7309 office or (320) 493-0308 mobile, Kimberly.Noetzel@charter.com
