MCV continues audit of Garapan system

Marianas Cable Vision will continue its audit of the Garapan cable system for the next few weeks.

Some residents may have already noticed MCV personnel and vehicles in the area checking cable connections and removing old worn cable lines.

MCV has also been disconnecting those individuals and barracks that have been illegally tapping into the system, causing poor reception to it’s paying customers.

Connecting to MCV’s system without authorization from the cable provider is illegal and punishable under federal law, said company officials in a media statement.

Splicing into a neighbor’s line, or moving into a residence where the lines is still active and the owner does not have an agreement with MCV are both examples of illegal hookups and violates the FCC’s Telecommunications act of 1996.

“Some of the biggest problems we run into are in the barracks, says MCV General Manager Joe Butters. “One person will hook up with us and then everybody else splits off of that line.”

“Another is when the owner of a building gets cable and then turns around and “sells” it to the tenants within the building. If that owner does not have an agreement with MCV to provide service to the tenant, they could be paying more than they should, and have nothing to show for the cable they thought they were paying for,” said Mr. Butters.

If an illegal cable TV connection is found it will be disconnected, and the user will be billed for the disconnection.

If that connection is found to be hooked back up later without the consent of MCV, the Department of Public Safety will be notified of the theft of service and asked to be present while MCV performs an audit and disconnection of the service again.

The offender will be prosecuted and suffer penalties as punishable by law.

MCV asks residents who have received either a survey sheet or special door-hanger to please take a few moments to answer the questions on the form.

These surveys will assist MCV not only in completing the audit, but helping MCV identify those areas that may need repair. Also individuals who are not sure if they have a legal connection should call the MCV Service hotline at 235-6366 for more information on their connection.

Mr. Butters points out that if you have an illegal connection it’s best to become a legal customers now, before MCV audits your residence. It could save yourself a lot of hassles.