Innovative Cable License Up For Review

Innovative Cable License Up For Review

BY SOURCE STAFF — APRIL 25, 2015

The Public Services Commission is seeking comment on Innovative's cable television franchises on St. Croix and St. Thomas/St. John, which are up for review and renewal.

The PSC gave instructions Saturday for submitting comments in a statement.

According to the PSC, comments and testimony should address one of two main areas of focus: identifying future cable-related community needs and interests; and reviewing the performance of the cable operator under the existing franchise.

V.I. law governing renewing cable franchises says the PSC is to look at whether the franchisee has met its contract terms; quality of service and signal; response to complaints and billing practices. Other important factors include the cable company's ability to keep providing service and if its proposal is "reasonable to meet the future cable related community needs and interests, taking into account the cost of meeting such needs and interests."

In order to make your comments more effective, the PSC asks residents to submit comments in writing. Comments can be submitted by mail, hand-delivery or email, at the following addresses:

Mailing Address: Virgin Islands Public Services Commission P.O. Box 40 St. Thomas, USVI 00804; email: thendricks@psc.gov.vi; hand delivered: St. Thomas Barbel Plaza No. 8 Estate Ross, Charlotte Amalie

The Public Services Commission will hold a hearing on the cable-franchise-renewal requests beginning at 5 p.m. May 19 at its offices in Barbel Plaza, St. Thomas. The meeting will be video-conferenced with the PSC’s office in Sunny Isle, St. Croix.