Government is to hold a public inquiry into CableVision rates and charges following its row with a local broadcaster.

The Telecommunications Commission will hold the inquiry at Cathedral Hall, Hamilton, on February 18.

It follows the Commission's successful application for a court injunction on January 22 which ordered the cable company to reinstate channels 7 and 9 to its schedule.

CableVision removed ZFB and ZBM on January 21 after a ruling 12 days earlier that it did not have to seek the Commission's permission prior to taking them off air. At the time the Commission said it would appeal Chief Justice Richard Ground's ruling.

The dispute began on November 30 when CableVision announced plans to drop Channels 7 and 9 because the Bermuda Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) now wanted a fee.

In August the Cable Television Service Regulations 1987 were amended to allow broadcasters to choose between a 'must carry' service ie. free, or to become a 'retransmission consent' service. BBC opted for the latter and entered into negotiations with CableVision.

According to Bill Craig, BBC President and CEO, the company asked CableVision for a retransmission fee of $1.50 per channel per subscriber equating to $3 a month for ZFB and ZBM. He said this was "in line" with a similar deal with WOW.

But CableVision said that just as the new law allowed BBC to demand payment, it also allowed CV to remove the channels from its line-up.

CableVision boss Terry Roberson said the company did not want to pay for ZFB and ZBM because these channels were still free to people using antennae. The company currently charges its customers $30 a month for a basic package which includes local broadcasters such as BBC.

Following the Telecommunications Commission's successful injunction on January 22, CableVision must keep Channels 7 and 9 on air until the Commission's appeal is heard at the Supreme Court.

In the meantime, it is to hold a public inquiry into CableVision's rates and charges. Notice of the action was advertised yesterday in the Official Gazette.

It states: "In accordance with Section 24(5) of the Telecommunications Act 1986, as amended, the Telecommunications Commission has set the location, date and time for the convening of a public inquiry into CableVision's rates and charges, including the following questions:

1) If Bermuda CableVision ceases to carry Channels 7 & 9, what price should be charged for the package (currently $30 per month) without these channels?

2) If Bermuda CableVision keeps Channels 7 & 9 but has to pay Bermuda Broadcasting Corporation a fee for doing so, should the price charged ... be increased?

(a) If so, to what price?

3) Should the price of Bermuda CableVision's other packages increase, decrease or remain the same:

(a) If Bermuda CableVision cease to carry channels 7 & 9?

(b) If Bermuda CableVision retains channels 7 & 9?

4) Do you wish the option to rent or purchase, in relation to the Bermuda CableVision service:

(a) The converter box?

(b) The remote control?

The public inquiry takes place at Cathedral Hall, Church Street, Hamilton, on February 18 at 5.30 p.m.