to Premier Jennifer Smith.

She made the remarks at the opening of the mega-capacity new $22 million cable station of the 360networks' Cable Station in St. David's yesterday.

The company, which owns TeleBermuda International, had Ms Smith as guest of honour and she was flanked by eight of her ministers on the day.

"With the completion of TeleBermuda's first fibre optic cable from Bermuda to the United States, the groundwork was laid for Bermuda to become the hub of international carrier traffic.

"Today, we celebrate the opening of the new Bermuda-based cable landing station and the completion of 360americas between Bermuda and Brazil.'' And James Fitzgerald, General Manager of TeleBermuda International, said there was now the capacity on the Island to transmit 20 million voice mail data access messages at the same time -- more space than all the teenage girls on the Island can use in one evening.

The hub links North America and South America through Bermuda as part of a $1.2 billion project.

Ms Smith said that the opening of 360networks' cable landing station was a another milestone for Bermuda.

She said that the addition of competition had led to a tremendous reduction in costs to Bermudians, and thanked TBI for their contribution to the Island.

She said: "Eighty-five percent of the workforce is Bermudian. Your company's presence is greatly appreciated by the Government.'' Ms Smith added: "Bermuda's role as part of 360networks' global network began just over three years ago when a licence was issued to TeleBermuda International to provide competitive telecommunication services in Bermuda.'' Mr. Fitzgerald said: "It it truly a pleasure to work in Bermuda and it just goes to show that competition brings out the best in all of us.'' The new station will serve as a central hub for the 360americas fibre-optic network which will eventually connect the United States, Bermuda, Brazil, Argentina and Venezuela.

The line is scheduled for completion in early 2002 and will span 29,000 kilometres or 18,000 miles.