Comcast to raise most rates

Comcast Corp. has announced average cable video increases of about 6 percent for its Spokane-area subscribers in 2007.

Those rates go into effect in January. Comcast is the largest cable operator in the country. It has about 100,000 video customers in the Spokane area.

Last year the company announced a video increase of about 5.5 percent on average.

Comcast’s no-frills basic cable TV plan will rise to $16.49 a month, from $15.99 — an increase of 3.1 percent.

Rates for extended basic will be $49.25 per month, up from $46.49, an increase of 6 percent. The service, which offers more than 90 channels, has an additional monthly cost for a cable box.

Monthly bills will be slightly higher because the increases don’t include city franchise fees and other taxes that are included on customers’ statements.

Comcast digital video customers with more complex and more expensive monthly packages will see varying increases based on the specific plans they’re using, said company spokesman Walt Neary.

Neary declined to comment on any possible changes in Comcast’s pay-per-view rates.

All Comcast area subscribers will receive mailers laying out the exact changes they face, he added.

About half of Comcast’s Spokane customers also order either Internet or voice packages along with video service, Neary said.

Current monthly rates for cable Internet and cable phone service will not increase in January, he said.

Others, who pay $33 per month for video service through a “triple-play” package, won’t see an increase for that service as long as their introductory period continues, added Neary.

“The adjustments reflect the increased value of our services and more than $100 million in investments to provide advanced products and services, improve the quality of our products and improve customer service in Washington,” said Neary.