The number of CableVision customers still without cable after Hurricane Fabian remains a mystery. The company last Thursday would not release a figure.

Some disconnected customers have voiced dismay over problems in alerting CableVision to their plight.

Among them is former MP and Shadow Telecommunications Minister Allan Marshall who told The Royal Gazette about the "frustrating and aggravating" automatic answering machines greeting each CableVision caller.

CableVision general manager Jeremy Elmas, however, stressed the company was very focused on restoring service.

He also said:

All customers would receive a credit on their October statements;

Repair work was being carried out in an organised "street-by-street" fashion; and

Crews were expected to move to Southampton and Sandys this week after working in Devonshire at the weekend

Mr. Elmas thanked the public again for their patience and asked that those without service still call CableVision.

He went on to give updates on refunds customers can receive for lost service.

"All customers will be receiving a credit on their October statements. As we indicated earlier, we have taken the most rational approach, which is to provide blanket credits to customers in each parish according to the date when repairs to our fibre optic backbone were completed.

"This does not mean the amount will necessarily cover all the days everyone in that parish was without, but it does represent our best estimate.

"Customers who wish to request additional credits will need to contact our offices so that we can deal with their case individually. However we do ask that they please wait until their service is restored so that we can provide a single credit rather than several."

He also gave an update on CableVision restoration progress, although a Cablevision spokeswoman did not put a number to the amount of customers still without the service.

Since completing repairs to the fibre optic backbone, Mr. Elmas said CableVision had been proceeding "in an organised fashion" street-by-street fixing main cable, and distribution and drop lines to homes. Such a methodical approach was more effective than responding to service calls all over the Island, he said.

"In some cases we are making temporary repairs to get service up, then we will still have to return to make sure the picture quality is improved."

All new installations and other service requests made prior to the hurricane are being put on hold until existing customers are back on, he added.

As of last Thursday crews were working in Warwick, St. David's and Smith's. They were expected to have moved into Devonshire over the weekend and into Southampton and Sandys this week.

Street-by-street checks were completed in Paget, Pembroke and St. George's, he said, although some customers may still be without service in those areas. Those customers should call CableVision.

"I think that's a very good recommendation," said Mr. Marshall, former Smith's North MP. "But the problem is, by the time you get to the third menu transfer, the consumer gets very frustrated. People have busy lives ... How many times have you gone through all the menu options only to be told: 'Mailbox is full'?

"It's borderline on the ridiculous ... A lot of people have contacted me and I've had my own frustrations," he said.

CableVision is a utility company, he said, providing service to about 17,000 customers. As such it is a small investment to provide a 24-7 human receptionist to direct consumers to the appropriate areas of the company.

"Some things are worth investing in. This particular type of service is worth it."