finally launched its cut-rate long-distance service, LogicPhone.

The service was declared legal by the Ministry of Telecommunications on June 8.

In an e-mail to customers who had pre-registered for the service, Logic said that calls would be free until further notice. After that, rates will begin at 44 cents a minute to the UK, US and Canada -- the same as they were a year ago before Government shut the operation down.

The service uses voice over Internet protocol to convert voice into Internet signals -- the source of a dispute between Logic and Government who said that its telecommunications licence only allowed them to provide data service.

LogicPhone is currently only available to Logic customers, but the company promises to make it available to others "in the coming weeks''. Customers can sign up on the company's website.

Once customers have set up an account, they can make calls by dialling an access number and entering a destination number. Service to toll free US 1-800, 1-888 and 1-877 numbers is not yet available.