today to provide an independent commission with its reasons for leasing a fibre optic cable.

The latest controversy to hit the Island's telecommunications industry came when the firm arranged to lease the cable from BELCO and then run services off it to the Corporation of Hamilton.

But Telecommunications Minister E.T. (Bob) Richards ordered an inquiry into the incident after it was revealed that Quantum was only given a licence to provide telecommunication services on the condition that it developed its own facilities.

Sen. Richards called for the inquiry after lawyers for BTC, which is in competition with Quantum in the fibre optic services market.

BELCO does not have a licence to run services off the cable.

The Telecommunications Commission has now contacted lawyers representing Quantum demanding that they provide the reasoning behind its decision to lease the cable rather than set up its own system.

And it has also asked that all terms and conditions governing the agreement between the two companies be provided.