Charter Lists Terms to End Fee Lawsuit

Charter Communications Inc. subscribers may get free premium services under a proposed settlement of a lawsuit that accused the cable TV operator of misleading customers about a voluntary wire-maintenance plan and charging for unneeded converter boxes.

Under terms of the settlement, awaiting court approval, eligible customers may be able to choose six months of free high-speed Internet service, service upgrades or movie channel service. Other options, detailed in an ad Thursday in USA Today, include six free pay-per-view or video-on-demand selections.

St. Louis-based Charter has more than 6 million customers in 37 states. The company, controlled by Microsoft Corp. co-founder Paul Allen, serves about 500,000 subscribers in the Los Angeles area.

Charter, which admits no wrongdoing, did not return phone calls Thursday.

Trade magazine Multichannel News has reported that Charter’s costs to settle may reach $200 million.

Eligibility and terms are described in customers’ August or September bills and at www.chartersettlement.com.