May 16 (UPI) -- 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, the new entity will retain the name of Atlanta-based Cox, a subsidiary of parent company Cox Enterprises, a private firm founded in 1898 that also has dealings in the automotive industry. Cox acquired its first cable franchise in 1962. The deal gives Cox