Comcast plans rate, fee increases in 2017

Starting Jan. 1, Comcast will raise rates up to 3.8 percent for broadcast TV and Internet service across much of its service area.

The company also will increase its Broadcast TV fee to $7 a month, an increase of $2, and its Regional Sports Network fee to $5 a month, also up by $2. Together, those services will cost an extra $48 a year.

Comcast introduced the controversial Broadcast TV and Regional Sports Network fees in 2014 and now is entangled in a lawsuit over them. Customers who recently sued argue that the company advertises prices as lower than they really are, and falsely portrays its fees as required by the government.

“Comcast has found a way to secretly and repeatedly increase the monthly price it charges for its channel packages,” the lawsuit said.