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Illegal connections take toll on cable quality
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Posted on Jul 14 2000
Illegally spliced cable connections do not only adversely impact the earnings of the islands’ lone service provider, they also result in poor quality reception of paying cable subscribers.
According to Marianas Cable Vision chief engineer Lysander Tudela, both harsh weather conditions as well as cable theft can affect the signal that goes from the playback center in Susupe to the subscribers’ television.
Mr. Tudela explained that this happens because most of the company’s cable plant is above ground, making it more vulnerable to harsh weather conditions and unscrupulous individuals who steal cable services.
“We also have a problem with people illegally splicing into the cable lines which degrades the signal going to several people who are good paying customers,” he said.
Mr. Tudela pointed out that this is one of the major reasons why MCV has been consistently conducting audit of its system throughout the island. “We want to make sure people are getting a good, clean signal, and the channels they subscribe to.”
MCV, the only cable service provider in the Northern Marianas, is currently doing an audit of its system is the village of Kagman. MCV general manager Joe Butters said the audit will continue this weekend.
The company advises subscribers in Kagman that MCV personnel will perform routine preventive maintenance, checks and services to various parts of the system in the village.
MCV has passed on forms that require answers by subscribers since the survey will assist the cable company in completing the audit and in identifying areas that need repair.
MCV has recently merged all aspects of Saipan Cable Television systems with the company since the acquisition took place in December 1998.
