Customers awaiting the launch of new cable company World on Wireless may have to wait longer than expected after competitor Bermuda CableVision yesterday filed suit against the new company and Telecommunications Minister Renee Webb.

CableVision filed suit following claims that wireless cable provider WOW was awarded a licence for transmissions on the UHF spectrum after originally applying for channels on the MMDS spectrum.

CableVision general manager Jeremy Elmas said his company was concerned that the UHF frequency awarded to WOW could interfere with their signal as well as those of other telecommunications providers.

?We have been unable to get a copy of WOW?s licence or the frequency ranges which they have been authorised to use,? he said. ?We have therefore filed a writ against the Minister today as we would like to have the opportunity to officially lodge our concerns with the Telecommunications Commission through the proper channels in order to ensure that the introduction of a new service would not cause interference with other services.?

After WOW was awarded the licence, Hardell Cable TV Ltd. received an injunction, claiming the Telecommunications Ministry was blocking a licence it received in the late 1990s for the same service.

And a company that unsuccessfully sought a wireless cable licence at the same as WOW, SGC Ventures, has also threatened to sue if Hardell gets a licence.

Last night WOW director Troy Symonds accused CableVision of trying to set his company back.

?I think CableVision has been looking for any potential opportunity to slow us down or put a hurdle in our way that?s where all this ridiculous nonsense that?s been coming from (Hardell spokesman) Corey Butterfield?s mouth is focused,? he said.

But Mr. Symonds said CableVision?s query of the Ministry?s powers was unnecessary as it clearly had jurisdiction, citing an example to illustrate his point.

?A recent example of this is the recent launch of fixed wireless services by BTC Mobility in order to launch their service. This cellular telephone provider had required different frequencies other than the original frequencies that they were allocated,? he said. ?Applications were made to the Ministry and after discussion new frequencies were allocated to BTC Mobility. There was no new hearing. This is the process and WOW follows that process.?

Mr. Symonds said he was unable to speculate on whether the action would delay the expected launch date of WOW.

Mr. Elmas said: ?The concerns of telecommunications providers in a similar situation in other jurisdictions have been resolved and we are confident that a fair outcome can be obtained if the proper procedures are followed.?