Competition for Internet access will be a reality by late summer, bringing better pricing and more service.

That pledge came yesterday from director of North Rock Communications Ltd.

John Robbins after the company last week obtained an official offer of a telecommunications licence from the Bermuda Government.

At yesterday's press conference, Mr. Robbins conceded start-up costs for the company would probably approach a half a million dollars. It is building its infrastructure and will have to finalise various contractual agreements and hire staff, probably less than ten at first. An agreement is expected to be signed within a couple of weeks for Hamilton office space.

Providing 28.8kb service and up through "an advanced network design'', the company has still to complete telephone line contracts with Cable & Wireless and TeleBermuda International for a gateway out of Bermuda.

But North Rock sees the corporate and residential potential in Bermuda, with a recent survey indicating a third of local households have a personal computer, of which they estimate a third are on line with the Internet.

Other estimates have 50 million people on the Internet worldwide, with that number projected to double by the year 2000.

Promising better value for the consumer through "reliable service, innovative support and superior performance'', Mr. Robbins said, "North Rock Communications' mission is to accelerate the delivery of Internet technology and services to Bermuda, while aggressively addressing the evolving challenges and needs of today's Internet customer.'' North Rock Communications Ltd. is a subsidiary of North Rock Ventures Ltd., which is also the parent to local systems integrator, Applied Computer Technologies and computer product and supplies retailer, The Complete Office.

The principal owners of North Rock Ventures are John Robbins and Eric Hetzel.

INTERNET PLANS -- North Rock directors Eric Hetzel (left) and John Robbins (centre), with general manager Tom Coelho.