The chair of the House Committee on Public Utilities, Transportation and Communications has pressed the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation for justification on a recent policy change regarding security deposit imposed on local telephone lines.<\/p>\n
Rep. Rosiky F. Camacho has been inquiring CUC, which is tasked to oversee local phone companies, whether it is aware of such decision following complaints from the community.<\/p>\n
He said the policy change has been implemented by Micronesian Telecommunication Company, the sole domestic phone service provider.<\/p>\n
In the past MTC would refund good standing customers their security deposit after a year through credit on their account, the Saipan representative told CUC Board Chair Jesus T. Guerrero in a letter.<\/p>\n
The complaint claimed MTC changes that policy in January this year, he added.<\/p>\n
“I was wondering if the CUC board was aware of such change in policy? If so, please provide a copy of MTC’s security deposit policy,” said Mr. Camacho.<\/p>\n
The PUTC chair has raised the issue since July, but the government-owned utility firm has yet to respond to his inquiry.<\/p>\n
Mr. Camacho authored HB 12-6 or the Telecommunications Act of 2000 which seeks to regulate telecom companies operating in the CNMI, including MTC.<\/p>\n
He maintained that such legislation is necessary to break monopolies and encourage other investors in the growing sector to come in.<\/p>\n
Opponents have argued that a regulatory agency is not necessary as it would stifle growth and expansion of the telecom industry, noting that CUC can monitor operations of those companies.<\/p>\n
Passed by the lower house in June, the measure is under review in the Senate.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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