Cablevision is back in the dog house with irate customers who had to line up outside CableVision doors holding their broken cable boxes, waiting for service.

Customers were unable to change channels or access cable over the weekend. "There was a small software issue," said a CableVision spokeswoman yesterday.

She was unable to tell The Royal Gazette exactly what that issue was. However, she said: "They fixed the final part at 12 noon today.

"It affected a couple of hundred customer's boxes. They are going to fix it from the head end, so people don't have to bring their boxes in.

"If somebody disconnected their cable box this morning or over the weekend and it stopped working, they can plug it in for half an hour and leave it," she said. "Then it should be fine. Obviously we are extremely apologetic."

Customers lining up outside CableVision yesterday afternoon, however, did not seem to think that an apology was enough.

"I think CableVision should start giving credit when they're out of service," said customer Greg Falzone. "People are paying for something they're not getting."

Keith Lapsley, who had driven from Somerset to bring his box to CableVision, also had a suggestion. "I hope they get that other cable company," he said.

l Information about the decisions regarding other companies applying for a license to supply cable in Bermuda will hopefully be released later this month, Director of Telecommunications Greg Swan told The Royal Gazette.

Such companies include World on Wireless (WOW!), SGC Ventures Limited, and Coral Cable Networks. Coral Cable Networks have been waiting for an answer to their application for a license to supply cable in Bermuda for more than six years.

Until these companies receive an answer about their license applications, however, Bermudians will have to make do with the company one customer called "rejects from the state" as she waited in line for service.

"Everybody's bringing back their boxes! " said another customer in dismay as he pulled up outside CableVision, black box in hand.