TeleBermuda International Limited (TBI) yesterday introduced cheaper long distance calling rates for residents, improved corporate discounts for business callers and a new Internet service.

TBI's new Simply the Best club membership programme will allow residents to call the US, UK and Canada for 39 cents per minute and the rest of the world for 89 cents per minute when they pay a $4.99 per month membership fee.

The programme will be available 24 hours a day, seven days per week, as of October 1.

TBI general manager James Fitzgerald said: "The attractiveness of the programme is in its simplicity. Low-cost calls are able to be made the way we always make long distance calls, by simply dialling one plus the number you want to call.

"With the Simply the Best programme there is absolutely no need to dial an access number or an 800 number, there is no need to enter a PIN number and the calls are made on TeleBermuda's own crystal clear fibre-optic voice communication network, providing our customers with the very best telephone transmission.'' He stressed: "This service is not a voice over Internet offering like the other offers in the market today. This is a true dedicated and secure voice communication service at the lowest price.

"TeleBermuda has always delivered, and will continue to provide, the very best voice communication standards and service in Bermuda combined with simply the best long distance rates available.'' TBI's new corporate volume discount plan went into effect on Friday and provides business clients with a 100 percent increase in their volume discounts.

It also provides them with the opportunity for cost reductions through its new term contract and bundled services programme.

Said Mr. Fitzgerald: "The new corporate plan provides our dedicated customers with the very best rates and volume discounts available in the market.

"By providing the lowest rates combined with the most aggressive volume discount plan we continue to drive down the cost of doing business in Bermuda.

"The net savings available for our customers range from seven percent in excess of 20 percent compared to the incumbent supplier in the market.'' He continued: "By aggregating our client's services and providing a total services solution through TeleBermuda, we are able to offer increased savings and cost reductions on their total spending for telecommunications in Bermuda.'' Corporate clients are also able to take advantage of TBI-Net -- the company's new Internet service which was unveiled yesterday.

The service is available to businesses already and offers rates at ten to 15 percent off current market rates. Dedicated access is available starting at $275 per month for a 64 kbps circuit.

The dial-up Internet access service will be available mid-September providing twice the amount of Internet time for a lower monthly fee. Basic rates will start at $22 per month for 20 hours of service.

Mr. Fitzgerald said: "Since Internet service was first introduced in Bermuda some three years ago, there has not been a true reduction in the cost or benefit provided to the consumer, both corporate and residential. TeleBermuda intends to change that.''