A decision on whether telecommunications company Quantum Communications has the right to operate a leased fibre optic cable is expected by the end of the week.

The Telecommunications Commission is studying the contract between the company and cable owner BELCO following a complaint from BTC.

And if the ruling goes against the company the installation of closed-circuit security cameras in Hamilton -- scheduled to be up and running by the end of the summer -- could be delayed.

Quantum is hiring the cable from BELCO in order to provide the service after signing a contract with the Corporation of Hamilton.

But although it has a licence to provide telecommunication services, one of the conditions is that those services are provided from its own equipment.

Yesterday Telecommunications Commission Secretary Edward Pitman confirmed that a decision on the issue was imminent.

"We have received everything we asked for and everything is now being considered,'' he said.

"We will be issuing a decision in due course. It is regarded as a matter of urgency so I expect a decision will be made later this week.'' Last night both Quantum and the Corporation of Hamilton were playing down the possibility that a ruling could go against the firm and delay the installation of CCTV.

Quantum President Jim Sullivan said he was confident that the company would still be able to go ahead with its contract with the Corporation.

"The commission has the issue under observation and I am confident they will make the right decision and we can get on with business,'' he said. "We have responded to their inquiries and done everything we can to assist in a businesslike fashion. I understand they will be meeting later this week to conclude their deliberations.'' And Corporation Secretary Roger Sherratt added: "I understand that it's a technical matter about who's got the lease and who's got the licence.

"Our understanding is that Quantum are licensed and are only acting in accordance with their licence.'' He added: "At this point we don't see it as a problem. If BTC have a complaint that will have to be looked into but we are still proceeding with the project and have heard nothing from anyone to suggest otherwise.

"We have already contracted the installers and should have the system up and running by October.''