islands to its south.

The Island plans to replace the generic "809'' area code with "441'' by the end of September.

As of July 1, both Barbados and St. Lucia dropped the `809' code and adopted `246' and `758', respectively.

And Cable and Wireless spokesman John Instone yesterday announced that Cayman Islands, St. Kitts, Bahamas, and Antigua will follow suit.

Cayman Islands' area code will change to `345' on September 1; St. Kitts' will change to `869' on October 1, and Antigua's will become `268' from November 1.

Callers to Bermuda can dial the old `809' or the new `441' code between now and September 30. Varying periods of permissive dialing are also in effect in the Caribbean.

Mr. Instone said after initial problems of generating public awareness overseas, the majority of international callers contacting Bermuda were using the new code.

"We believe this may be partially attributable to assistance from BIBA (Bermuda International Business Association), the International Companies Division of the Chamber of Commerce, and Government Information Services,'' he said.

"We asked these agencies to enlist the aid of their various clients and correspondents abroad in an effort to increase awareness of Bermuda's new area code. We are very grateful for the assistance received from these agencies.

"We are satisfied that the majority of international carriers have now made the necessary changes to their telephone switches to enable callers to reach Bermuda using `441'.'' Mr. Instone added that Cable and Wireless and the Bermuda Telephone Company Limited will be stepping up their publicity campaigns to remind Bermuda residents that callers from overseas will no longer be able to access Bermuda on `809' after September 30.

Residents who know of people who still cannot access Bermuda through the new code should advise the callers to contact their local telephone companies, he said.