service without authorisation was passed in the House of Assembly on Friday.

Offenders are subject to a fine of up to $3,000 and/or a prison sentence.

The Telecommunications Amendment Act 1993 is aimed at controlling Bermuda's "fast-expanding'' telecommunications industry and protecting the local consumer, Finance Minister the Hon. David Saul said.

But Cablevision came under heavy attack by Opposition MPs during the debate.

PLP members complained the company's rates were unfair, cables were "hung all over the place'' creating an eyesore and employees often trespassed on private property to carry out work.

Introducing the bill, Dr. Saul said it updated the 1986 Telecommunications Act, giving Government more control over Bermuda's expanding telecommunications industry and guaranteeing "the best possible service for residents''.

The days when Telco and Cable and Wireless were the only two telecommunications companies were over.

The Bill requires all telecommunications companies to be incorporated and to submit to the Minister annual reports including financial and auditor statements, lists of shareholders owning one percent or more of total shares and service rates or charges.

A $2,000 fine will be levied for any company that fails to submit the information. The Bill also makes it an offence for people to "connect to'', damage or interfere with cable television or other telecommunication apparatus.

Appropriate penalties are prescribed, the maximum penalty for an individual being a fine of $3,000 and/or two years prison.

In the case of a continuing offence, a further fine of $500 for every day during which the offence continues can be meted out.

Punishment for a company which breaks the law is higher.

The Bill gives the Commission discretion whether or not to hold a hearing in public in respect of a licence application.

And it requires companies to publish notices of new services or rates.

Shadow Finance Minister Mr. Eugene Cox said that had Government had more foresight in the telecommunications industry, it could have prevented satellite dishes from being erected and spoiling the landscape.

It should have allowed cable television companies to "come on board sooner''.

Many of the dishes were currently in dilapidated condition due to harsh weather.

Mr. Cox supported the legislation saying he was tired of having to chase Cablevision workers off his property.

"We've got to start regulating them -- especially with regards to pricing and rates,'' he said.

Mr. Cox thought it was unfair that Cablevision charged extra for hooking up the service in other rooms in the same house so the occupants can watch different channels at the same time.

National Liberal Party Leader Mr. Gilbert Darrell said there should be a body to regulate trenching around the Island for the laying of cables. He said overhead cables were an eyesore and should all be put underground for aesthetic and practical reasons.

Mr. Stuart Hayward (Ind) welcomed the legislation because it afforded consumers more protection. But he felt Dr. Saul had "glossed'' over it without providing enough details.

Mr. Eugene Blakeney (PLP) said Cablevision in particular needed more regulation.

He was glad there would be more regulation of telecom companies' service rates.

Mr. Walter Lister (PLP) also thought it was wrong for Cablevision to charge for additional service in the same household.

He said Cablevision was in effect a monopoly. And he said Government should have bought into the company to keep rates reasonable.

The Hon. John Stubbs (UBP) defended Cablevision saying it only charged $3 extra a month for providing the service to other rooms in the house.

He agreed cables should be laid underground.

Mr. Nelson Bascome (PLP) chided Cablevision for allowing trucks to "park in the middle of the road'' and having "cables hanging all over the place''.

But Dr. Saul countered that he had never seen a Cablevision truck in the middle of the road and that they were no more present than Telco and Belco trucks.

He added he believed it was perfectly okay for Cablevision, like Telco, to charge extra for providing service to a second room.

The bill passed.