Bermuda CableVision last night moved to assure customers that everything was being done to restore service to people's homes following the destruction caused by Hurricane Fabian.

The company, which has come in for heavy criticism over its reporting system and repair work since the storm eight weeks ago, said staff were working 12-hour days, seven days a week, in a bid to get CableVision back into everyone's homes.

And operations manager Alan Smith said additional customer care workers had been put in place to deal with people's calls - which had been a major source of residents' frustrations in recent weeks.

They complained that they were unable to register complaints or faults with CableVision because they were unable to get past the automated answering machine.

"While the majority of our customers now have service again, we apologise to those who are still awaiting a visit," said Mr. Smith.

"Our crews are continuing to work westward and are in Southampton this week, as well as in the remaining parts of Hamilton Parish. We expect them to be into Sandys by late Friday or early Saturday, making their street-by-street checks.

"We also have small crews sweeping through Smith's, Pembroke, Paget and Devonshire to ensure that any customers in completed areas who still do not have service are attended to."

Mr. Smith said if CableVision had been through a customer's area, but they still did not have service while their neighbours did, then they should call to make sure the fault was reported.

However, despite the additional customer care workers operating the phone lines, he said it may still be difficult to get through at times.

"Our crews will continue to work 12-hour days, seven days a week, until all our customers have their service restored," he added.

"Fortunately, we have had additional staff here to help, since we are in the process of our re-build. Some customers have asked why we were unable to restore service more quickly. We certainly would have liked to do so.

"However, our system is quite complex."

Mr. Smith said the network comprised of tree and branch architecture, made up of fibre optic backbone, trunk, distribution and drop lines to people's homes, all of which are connected with cable equipment.

He said: "Much of the damage to our system is not even visible to the naked eye. Given these challenges, we hope customers will understand that it has taken longer than expected to make the needed repairs."

However, he said CableVision did not expect customers to pay for service they had not received. Mr. Smith said anyone without service who had received a reminder or late fee notice for their October payment should not be concerned as they would not be penalised.

Statements are generated via an automated system and customers who have been without service for longer than the credit granted to their parish will be able to receive additional credit by calling the company, e-mailing or faxing the office once service is restored.

"Thanks again to all our customers for their patience and understanding," he said.