Come next month, cable customers of the telecommunications firm Flow can expect a hike in rates for cable packages offered by the company.

As early as February 1, customers will have to pay, on average, 16 per cent more than they are now paying for their cable television packages.

Jean McPherson, director of marketing at Flow, yesterday told The Gleaner that the rate increase is a result of the recent, gradual devaluation of the dollar.

"Our cable price increase is a function of two things," said Ms. McPherson. "For one, programme costs have increased and this has been exacerbated by the slide of the U.S. dollar."

She added: "When we had developed our packages in 2006, the dollar was on average US$65 to J$1 and it has now suffered a nine to 10 per cent devaluation," she added.

For example, customers of the basic package option, known as the Lifeline Package, which was previously offered at $650, can expect to pay more than $750.

In just over 18 months, the fast-growing conglomerate, in which billionaire investor, Michael Lee Chin has substantial ownership, has acquired control of some seven cable companies, most recently Kingston-based Allied Cablevision Limited.

FLOW's recent swift acquisition of several cable television companies and the granting of an islandwide cable licence by the Broadcast Commission has led many to argue that the multimillion-dollar firm's aim is to push small players out of the market and establish a monopoly.

The Broadcast Commission argued, however, that regulatory measures have been put in place to safeguard against the abuse of dominance by FLOW in Jamaica's subscriber television sector.