Comcast customers with basic television service could soon be shelling out more for cable.

Comcast of Central New Jersey II, LLC is asking the state Board of Public Utilities permission to raise its base rates by the maximum amount allowed by law in all service areas except Princeton.

Although the increase could be effective Jan. 1, the public may comment on the proposed rate increase until Jan. 17.

The annual rate adjustment would reflect an adjustment for inflation, channel changes and changes in external costs, according to the legal notice published by the company.

In Hunterdon, the company’s service area includes Bethlehem Township, Clinton, Clinton Township, East Amwell Township, Flemington, Lebanon, Franklin Township, Delaware Township, Raritan Township, Readington Township, Tewksbury Township and Union Township.

Outside of Hunterdon, Comcast serves Bedminster, Bernardsville, Branchburg, Chatham, Chester Borough, Chester Township, Far Hills, Franklin (Somerset County) Harding, Hillsborough, Long Hill (Passaic), Mendham Borough, Mendham Township, Millstone, Montgomery, Peapack-Gladstone and Rocky Hill.

Federal Law allows certain cable companies to adjust their rates for inflation based upon changes in the Gross National Product Price Index published by the Bureau of Economic Analysis of the United States Department of Commerce.

Under Comcast’s proposal, the maximum permitted rate for the basic service tier would be $21.17 per month, exclusive of franchise and regulatory fees. The monthly charge for regulatory fees is $.08. Therefore, Comcast’s maximum permitted rate for its basic service tier, including franchise and regulatory fees, would be $21.74 per month. Actual rates charged for the basic service tier may be lower than the maximum permitted rate.

The current cost, including fees, is $15.03 per month.

The proposed rate change would go into effect on Jan. 1 as permitted under the federal rules and regulations. If the rate increase is not approved by the state Board of Public Utilities, then customers would be issued a refund.

Comments can be submitted in writing by Jan. 17 to: The Acting Director of the Office of Cable Television at the address appearing below: Acting Director, Office of Cable Television, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, 44 South Clinton Avenue 9th Floor, P. O. Box 350, Trenton, NJ 08625-0350.