Charter Communications is hiking its rates for some of its television and Internet services after several years of absorbing cost increases.

“Charter has experienced a rise in our overall cost of doing business,” said Kristina Hill, senior communications manager for Charter. The price Charter pays for programming and equipment also has gone up, Hill said.

The rate for the expanded basic television package will rise more than 9 percent, from $32 to $35. The basic level remains at its current cost, $24.99.

The sports tier will go from $5 to $10. Internet customers who use modems belonging to Charter will see the rental fee go from $5 to $7, but many people own their own modems, Hill said.

Charter has a franchise agreement with the city of Suffolk. Hill said the city has been notified of the increases, which took effect this week.

“This is not a surprise to them,” she said.

This is the first time in two years that the expanded basic service has been increased. Hill said the company absorbed a number of costs in the interim.

“During the past two years when we did not raise those rates, we were able to absorb as many other supplier cost increases as we could,” Hill said.

Digital television customers or those currently in a promotional package also are not affected, Hill said. More than half of Charter’s Virginia customers are digital customers.

“This won’t have that broad of an impact,” Hill said. Customers in a promotional package will see the price increase when their promotional period ends.

People who don’t know what kind of service they currently have or want to switch their service to a different package should call 888-438-2427.