Comcast, the sole provider of cable in the Charlottesville area, will increase cable and Internet rates for its customers, effective Nov. 7.
Comcast spokesperson Jaye Linnen attributed the rate increases to the recent addition of 17 digital channels and an $85 million investment for network infrastructure and customer service improvements to the Blue Ridge area, which includes the City of Charlottesville.
"From the beginning of our acquisition, our goal has been to bring the services and products in Blue Ridge up to the levels in other markets," Linnen said. "This is another step in delivering on that promise."
Charlottesville residents began receiving Comcast services after Comcast and Time Warner split an acquisition of Adelphia more than a year ago. According to the city attorney's office, the Charlottesville City Council originally awarded the cable franchise to Adelphia in 2003 and passed a resolution for Comcast to assume the franchise Oct. 3, 2005.
City Council member Julian Taliaferro said Charlottesville citizens raised objections about Comcast with him.
Taliaferro said he has received complaints about the price increase as well as the service and quality of picture, noting that he is open to the idea of switching cable companies when the current agreement expires at the end of 2013.
"If they don't become more responsive, I would be in favor of using another company," he added.
The largest rate increases will be for Internet-only customers, Linnen said. The monthly basic high-speed Internet price will rise from $24.95 to $29.95. The cable rate prices, however, will not increase as much. For example, the expanded basic cable price will increase from $40.45 to $44.20.
"The prices are changing but we are introducing new technology and services," Linnen said. "The whole idea is we are continuing to introduce new technology while keeping prices down."
Linnen added that the average customer's bill will increase by less than 5 percent.
Third-year Commerce student Jake Whitmire said as a new Comcast customer, he pays a discounted rate and does not expect to be affected by the change this year. He said next year he plans to purchase the basic cable package, which did not see a rate increase.
"It's expensive, but everything's expensive," Whitmire said.
Read More
Four years of construction — how has Grounds changed?
By Grace Little | 2 hours agoArriving on Grounds in 2021, the University’s graduating class of 2025 saw a smaller collection of buildings than the one they are now preparing to leave.
U.Va. loses over $60 million in federal research cuts
By Bertie Azqueta | 2 days agoThe impacted grants include three from the NIH, seven from the NEH, one from the United States Agency for International Development and four from the State Department.
Department of Education reverses course, awards Federal Executive Institute to U.Va.
By Ford McCracken | 5 days agoThe ED had previously awarded the institute to Charlottesville City Schools.
