The rise in prices nationally from the Charter could cost you $ 91 more per year

Charter Communications is increasing prices on its cable territory by 41 states in November, the company said.

"For a customer with a complete suite of [Charter] Spectrum services, [the price increases] additional $ 7.61 per month ", or $ 91.32 per annum, the Asheville Citizen Times reported yesterday.

Charter confirmed the price increases when Ars made contact today, saying the change "takes effect in November throughout our service area".

Charter does not face a lot of competition, which facilitates the increase in prices without the risk of losing customers. According to a recent study, Charter is the only home broadband choice for 38 million Americans.

Rising prices affect broadband and television

"The price of Spectrum Internet reflects the considerably faster speeds and investments we have made in terms of reliability and quality," Charter told Ars. "Spectrum start speeds range from 30 or 60 Mbps last year to 100 Mbps (and even 200 Mbps in some markets)."

Despite the increase in speed, the Charter does not necessarily spend more on infrastructure. Charter said earlier this year that it is preparing for a "significant decline" in capital spending.

Charter said today that there would be "no change in the price of the Spectrum TV or Voice service package". But television prices are still rising, because Charter is increasing the price of rental equipment and the television surcharge.

Here is a list of price increases:

• The television supplement will be $ 8.85 to $ 9.95 a month.
• Spectrum receivers (ie cable boxes) will increase from $ 6.99 to $ 7.50 a month.
• The standard Internet price will increase from $ 54.99 to $ 59.99 per month for broadband customers subscribed to the Charter TV service.
• The standard Internet price for broadband customers only will increase from $ 64.99 to $ 65.99 per month.
• The price of the digital adapter goes from $ 4.99 to $ 5.99 a month.
• A à la carte The bouquet of Latino TV channels increases from $ 7.99 to $ 8.99 a month.

Charter said to the Asheville Citizen Times that the television broadcast supplement increases to reflect the prices that Charter pays to broadcast broadcast television stations.

Charter defended rising cable prices, telling Ars that the new price "remains below the current prices of TWC ($ 11.75) and Bright House Networks ($ 8), and is comparable to or lower than our competitors ".

Price changes on the Internet will not immediately affect customers with promotional price contracts, but these customers will have to pay the new prices after the end of their promotions, Charter said.

Unlike Comcast, Charter does not require data caps or overage charges.

26 million customers in 41 states

Charter became the second largest cable company in the country after Comcast, when it bought Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks in May 2016. According to Charter, it has more than 26 million customers in 41 states.

Even though the Charter boasted of increased Internet speeds, New York government officials said Charter had failed to meet the merger commitments requiring expansion. from broadband service to more customers. The New York State Public Service Commission voted in favor of the cancellation of the merger between Charter and TWC, which would require Charter to sell the old Time Warner Cable system in New York . But the Charter is negotiating with New York officials to try to stay in the state.

Disclosure: The Advance / Newhouse partnership, which owns 13% of Charter, is part of Advance Publications. Advance Publications owns Condé Nast, who owns Ars Technica.