ADELPHIA HIKES ASSAILED TALKS ON REBATES ONGOING AT CITY HALL.

Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer

Even as Adelphia Communications continues its talks with the city over a federally mandated refund and rebate, customers in Van Nuys and North Hollywood are fuming over other recent rate hikes from the cable provider.

``It's laughable that they're talking about a small refund when they're raising rates,'' said Virginia Arnold of North Hollywood, who complained about rate increases for premium channels and other services. ``So how is the customer coming out ahead in all this?''

Adelphia spokesman Bob Gold said the increases in all but basic services are allowed and needed to cover the company's costs.

``It's unfortunate timing that the new rates took effect now, but there is a higher cost of doing business,'' Gold said. ``The basic rate that is controlled by the city did not go up.''

A rate increase sheet from the company showed that costs for all levels of service beyond the basic increased from $1 to $7 a month.

Under the order from the Federal Communications Commission issued this week, Adelphia will refund an average of $30 to all 250,000 of its Los Angeles customers, and will roll back basic rates from $1.60 to $2.20 a month.

Gold said the company was planning to meet with city officials over those payments - but is not sure when those checks will go out.

``Because of Adelphia being in bankruptcy, it's not a simple matter,'' Gold said. ``We don't have the freedom to just say, 'Sure, we'll do that.' But, I have been assured this is a top priority for the company.''

City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo, however, is expecting checks to be mailed this month.

``The FCC was clear in its ruling,'' spokesman Eric Moses said. ``Checks are supposed to be sent out by the end of August. If they aren't, we are prepared to take Adelphia into federal court.''

Rick Orlov, [phone]

rick.orlov(at)dailynews.com