Charter Communications, one of the largest telecommunications companies in the United States, announced a merger Friday with privately held Cox Communications in a multi-billion-dollar deal. Once the merger is completed,

Charter Communications is merging with Cox Communications in an approximately $34.5 billion deal that brings together two of the biggest cable companies in the country.

Charter Communications has agreed to buy privately held rival Cox Communications for $21.9 billion, uniting two of the largest cable and broadband operators in the United States as they battle streaming giants and mobile carriers for customers.