Getting rid of Cablevision altogether could have led to "anarchy", Telecommunications and E-Commerce Minister Renee Webb told Parliament last night.

Ms Webb squared off with her UBP Shadow Minister Allan Marshall over issues related to her Ministry as the House reconvened for the fall session.

Mr. Marshall questioned Government on a wide range of telecom issues including: the status of Quantum; what the bankruptcy of 360networks would mean to TBI; and, what the Ministry is doing about the much-lamented Cablevision.

"Consumers need to be protected particularly when the service provider operates within the confines of a quasi-monopoly," said Mr. Marshall of the summer's Cablevision furore.

Ms Webb replied that if people were angry with Cablevision this summer, it would have been "anarchy" if they got rid of the company altogether as many irate subscribers had suggested.

She said roughly 70 percent of homes have cable television and, on an Island where there is not that much to do after 10 p.m., people enjoyed watching TV.

Ms Webb pointed out that her Ministry had cracked down on Cablevision by making it a scheduled carrier and delaying the scrambling of channels for the converter boxes three times.

She said Cablevision had been the single source of complaint for her Ministry which was inundated with calls - along with the Consumer Affairs department - from dissatisfied customers this summers.

"I know its getting better because the calls have dropped substantially," she said.

And Ms Webb said the Ministry is trying to encourage competition for Cablevision but it has yet to materialise.

Similarly, Ms Webb said that Quantum is still for sale and while there was interest, "so far they haven't been able to get a proposal together which is acceptable to them."

Ms Webb said while 360networks is the owner of local long distance provider TBI, the Ministry had been told that despite the company's bankruptcy, TBI would continue to operate in Bermuda as a purchaser is sought out.

Mr. Marshall also challenged Government that Bermuda is falling behind competing destinations on e-commerce.

He said Government had not done enough toward producing a national plan despite mentioning the plan in the last two Throne Speeches and the Opposition believes insufficient resources are being directed toward that Ministry.

And he pointed to a newspaper story which quoted e-commerce consultant William Storey saying Government was dragging its feet on the plan while places like Isle of Man developed a plan in just four months.

"Competition is fierce and fast," Mr. Marshall said. "Already other jurisdictions are ahead of us when just two years ago we were virtually leading the pack."

Ms Webb said a survey of some 400 businesses is taking place to develop the national plan for e-commerce.

Ms Webb said a draft of the plan had been prepared and the Ministry was working hard to perfect it and maximise the consultation process.

Ms Webb also highlighted some of the accomplishments of her Ministry as she congratulated Government on celebrating its third year in power Friday.

Ms Webb said that GSM and ADSL service had both recently been introduced to Bermuda.

She pointed out that Northrock is currently testing high speed Internet service and Government is testing e-tax filing with six businesses at the moment.

E-payroll tax submission is also being tested, she said.

The Parliament itself is now operating a digital recording system and Ms Webb said that members can obtain digital CDs of House sessions from her Ministry's offices.

The Ministry has organised new "Web awards" in which local web sites can compete in some 10 categories and that Government's own 49 web sites would be competing.

Ms Webb stressed that Government is moving toward e-government and that the land registry and Immigration departments would soon be on-line.

In terms of marketing Bermuda to attract e-businesses - which Government is keen to do as they are not labour-intensive - Ms Webb pointed out Bermuda has recently been featured in publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Lloyd's List and Offshore Finance.

And she praised those working in her Ministry to keep abreast of the changing industry.

Coverage from the House of Assembly continues in Tuesday's Royal Gazette