SIMI VALLEY : Cable Firm Appeals Rate Rollback Order

Despite a city order to reduce cable rates, subscribers in Simi Valley will probably have their rates frozen for at least the next four months, due to an appeal by Comcast Cablevision.

Comcast Monday appealed the 21-cent rate rollback to the Federal Communications Commission. The City Council ordered the rollback a month ago after a staff analysis of rates concluded that the company was over-charging customers. Comcast disputed the conclusions and requested a 30-cent increase in rates.

While the FCC reviews the appeal, cable rates and service in the city will very likely remain the same, said Joe Hreha, who oversees cable rates for the city. The monthly cost for basic cable service in Simi Valley is now $21.90. The appeal could take from four months to a year, Hreha said.