CANTON - Time Warner Cable customers will pay a $3.95 monthly fee starting in November to rent their Internet modems.

The cable provider says the move was made to keep pace with the rising cost of repair services for customers. Those who don’t want to pay the fee are advised to buy their own modems, the company said, which typically fall in the $50 to $100 price range.

“As we continue to deploy more and more cable modems, many of them need servicing or replacing and the monthly lease charge will provide that,” Time Warner spokeswoman Jennifer Holick said. “We’re now joining the majority of other Internet providers that already have a monthly fee.”

Time Warner technicians provide free services only for issues that are resolved through communication over the Internet or phone. Fees are charged when technicians visit houses or businesses.

The cable provider, which has about 1.5 million customers across the country, will begin charging fees for customers across its East region Nov. 1. The region includes New York, Pennsylvania, Maine and the Carolinas.

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