Vodafone Fiji Limited has filed for a judicial review of an earlier decision by the Commerce Commission to retain the Price Control Order, which regulates telecommunication prices in the country.

Court officials have confirmed that Vodafone is challenging the decision by the Commission which decided that the Price Control Order, which expired in 2008, be rolled over for another two years.

In its submissions, Vodafone has argued that with Digicel entering the market and offering services at well below regulated prices, the time has come to remove the price control order.

It has also been confirmed that the parties are now awaiting rulings by Judge Justice Joclyn Scutt on a number of preliminary issues which include leave to issue judicial review, possible bias or apprehended bias claims made against the Judge, Vodafone's objection to former Commerce Commission Chairman, Charles Sweeny appearing as his own lawyer and Vodafone's concerns that the Ministry of Communication is withholding certain information.

A ruling is expected to be made on notice.

Questions sent to Vodafone lawyer James Sloan on the matter are yet to be answered.

Meanwhile, the Interim Minister for Communication Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has directed the Commerce Commission to look into the Price Control Order and determine whether it should be rolled over, reviewed or removed completely.