TIME WARNER: Customers’ bills last saw increase for services in March

First published HERE by Watertown Daily Times on January 2nd. By Jamie Munks.

Time Warner Cable customers soon will be paying more for cable, phone and Internet service.

The company said it will increase rates for standard cable and package services by 6 percent to 8 percent starting Feb. 1, the second increase in the past 11 months. Time Warner last raised its rates in March.

Time Warner Cable spokesman James J. Gordon said the current increases are due to price increases by program providers and an increase in the company’s normal operating cost. Another factor is increased use of Time Warner Cable features, including the “start over” and video-on-demand features the company offers, Mr. Gordon said.

“People are staying home more because of the current economic situation,” Mr. Gordon said. “And customers are finding value in these enhancements.”

The company currently offers 107 high-definition channels and 90 channels with the “start over” feature, which allows customers to start a show over that has already begun. The company plans to add more channels with these features this year. An exact number of new channels offered with the features is unknown at this time, he said.

The company also will add 25 customer-service positions in the Central and Northern New York area this month.

“Our goal in doing this is to enhance the customer experience,” Mr. Gordon said.

Mr. Gordon said he doesn’t think the rate increases will prompt many Time Warner Cable customers to switch to another provider, because of the local customer service the company offers.

“We’re more than ready to compete,” Mr. Gordon said.

Customers can expect to see the following increases on their cable bills this year:

■ A combination of standard and basic cable service costs will increase from $62.50 to $67.75, an increase of about 8 percent.

■ The Surf ‘n’ View package will increase from $105.50 to $111.95, an increase of about 8 percent.

■ The Talk ‘n’ View package will increase from $100.50 to $108.95, an increase of about 8 percent.

■ The All the Best package, including cable, phone and Internet service, will rise from $135.50 to $144.95, an increase of about 7 percent.

Verizon FiOS, a new cable provider in the area, has a basic package that includes cable, telephone and Internet service for $109.99 to $129.99.

Satellite television provider DirecTV also has announced rate increases of 3 percent to 5 percent, which also will take effect Feb. 1.