A 'time-out' has been called in the ongoing dispute between Bermuda CableVision and the Bermuda Broadcasting Company to stop any further developments until the Telecommunications Commission has been fully briefed and makes its decision.

The two companies are at loggerheads after Bermuda CableVision last week announced it intended to drop Channel 7 and 9 from its cable package as of this Thursday because of a request by the Bermuda Broadcasting Company (BBC) that it start paying a fee for the right to carry the local channels.

The Telecommunications Commission has now informed both companies they must put the dispute on hold until it makes a decision. A letter from Commission chairman Ronald Simmons, sent to both companies on Friday, said: "Due to the potential impact on the public interest, the Commission considers this a matter of urgency that therefore justifies an ex parte decision to stop this matter proceeding any further until the Commission can hold an inter partes enquiry for the purpose of making a decision."

Mr. Simmons states that both firms must restrain themselves from going to "any other body" until the Commission concludes its enquiry.

Last night BBC CEO Bill Craig, said: "The Commission considers this an urgent matter and I think this is a wise use of the Commission's authority."

He added that he felt that either through "clumsiness or intention" Bermuda CableVision had "muddied the waters" in the dispute, and he claimed the BBC had been negotiating terms and rates when the cable firm unexpectedly made its public announcement regarding its intention to drop the channels.

In a statement, Bermuda CableVision general manager Terry Roberson said he had received the Commission's letter and it was "still under review."

Readers' reaction to cable row, Page 10