A complaint from telecommunications carrier, Cable & Wireless, against the Bermuda Telephone Company Ltd. (Telco) will likely go to the Telecommunications Commission for an inquiry.

The complaint, sent to Minister for Management & Technology the Hon. Grant Gibbons, calls for an inquiry "without delay'' into the rates charged for international telephone calls.

Dr. Gibbons said that he has sought more information from Cable & Wireless before proceeding.

Dr. Gibbons confirmed, "I have a complaint from Cable & Wireless under section 16 of the Telecommunications Act (1986). They have made a complaint about another (telecommunications) carrier, which is the Bermuda Telephone Company Ltd.'' He said it was the Commission who could examine the facts surrounding the complaint, received by his Ministry on July 14.

Dr. Gibbons said, "I have written them (Cable & Wireless) back and we've asked for a little bit of clarification in terms of the complaint, because the Minister needs prima facie evidence that there essentially is a situation that exists under which a complaint can be made.'' Section 16 of the 1986 Act contains provisions for written complaints against a carrier which may be deemed to be abusing its position, failing to provide reasonable service, unreasonably refusing connection or charging excessive rates or charges.

The complainant has to first convince the minister of a case to answer against the carrier, that there are grounds for holding an inquiry.

The Minister stated, "I have asked for a little more information, and they have written back asking what exactly is necessary. And I am going back to them very shortly with a response to that.

"But it is not unlikely that it would end up before the Commission, which is the route that is normally followed in these circumstances. It happens on a regular basis.'' Telco is aware of the complaint but attempts to reach President and acting general manager, Dr. James King, have not been successful.

The company has been without a tenured general manager since July, when Mr.

Ernest Pacheco, announced he would retire, just a matter of days after the Cable & Wireless complaint was made known to Telco and the Ministry.

No decision has yet been taken as to whether or not such an inquiry will be public or held in camera . The Commission has the authority to make that decision and in the past have opted for a hearing closed to the public and to the press.

When asked about their call for an inquiry this week, a Cable & Wireless spokesman said, "Cable & Wireless is firmly of the belief that only an official inquiry into the question of international telephone rates will meet the concerns of the Telecommunications Commission which found that, although the quality of Bermuda's telecommunications services was very high, nevertheless those services should be available at a more competitive cost.''