The Tribune

By DANA SMITH

Tribune Staff Reporter

dsmith@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMIANS are “primarily against” Cable Bahamas’ proposed price increase, according to the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority’s CEO who was remarking on the corporation’s most recent town hall meeting.

As the URCA-hosted “public consultations” on the matter continue, Chief Executive Officer Kathleen Smith said URCA is not leaning one way or the other on a decision and their ruling on the increase will be announced at the end of the consultations.

Cable Bahamas is seeking to raise prices by 27 per cent for its SuperBasic television package, now known as RevTV Prime, from $30 to $38 for residential customers and from $50 to $63.50 for businesses.

The current monthly rates have not changed since Cable Bahamas introduced the service in 1995.

Cable must seek approval from URCA for a price increase, with the latter deciding to consult with the public before they approve or deny Cable’s request.

“The consultation is open until October 19 (and) there will be no decision until after the consultation has been closed,” Mrs Smith said yesterday.

“We did a town hall meeting in Marsh Harbour, Abaco last week Monday. I would say the meeting was engaging... About 50 people showed up and any comments or concerns were primarily against it (the increase).”

It was earlier this month at the first town hall meeting in Nassau where those attending were unanimously opposed to the price increase.

Many in the irate crowd could not contain their frustrations as they took to the open microphone and criticised Cable’s service and urged URCA to deny the request.

The audience had to be frequently reminded to keep the noise down and maintain a respectful manner by the forum’s hosts – Mrs Smith; Policy and Regulation Director, Stephen Bereaux; and Senior Case Officer Vincent Wallace Whitfield.

The next meeting is scheduled for tonight in Deadman’s Cay, Long Island, with another meeting scheduled on October 2 in Freeport, Grand Bahama.

Among URCA’s concerns are: the impact on residential and commercial consumer groups if the price increase is approved; if granted, how the impact might be mitigated; and whether any position set forth in the consultative document is in any way contradictory to URCA’s regulatory objectives, principles and obligations.