SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - A trial date has been set in Yellowknife for the $6 million class action lawsuit against Bell Mobility for charging NWT customers for 911 service when it isn't available here.

On Saturday, Samuel Marr, lawyer for the complainants, confirmed by e-mail the trial will begin May 7, 2012, and is expected to last two weeks. Supreme Court Justice Ron Veale will preside over the case.

Marr said a pre-trial court date has been set in Whitehorse for May 3, 2011, at 10 a.m. to decide whether the matter will be tried before a judge alone or judge and jury, and whether Bell Mobility customers in Nunavut and the Yukon should be included in the class action lawsuit.

Marr said he is seeking a jury trial, and that both sides agree Bell customers in Whitehorse should be excluded since there is a "live 911 operator system" in the city.

Yellowknife resident James Anderson and his son Samuel started the lawsuit against the telecommunications company in 2007 after raising concerns that Bell Mobility was charging NWT customers a 911 service fee when no such service was provided in the NWT.

The case was last in court on July 30.

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