approval by the Telecommunications Commission to offer Bermudians another way to communicate overseas.

The company will be offering access to the international communications network, Internet, and this access will be handled by a new company called Internet (Bermuda) Limited. This new company will be closely aligned with BSL, and operations will be overseen by BSL Product Manager Mr. Tony Harriott.

According to BSL Managing Director Mr. Nicholas Weare, the new company's thrust will be to provide a wide range of services to both the individual and the corporation.

"We intend to offer access to the Internet system at a mature stage,'' he said, "and we will offer services to the individual by means of a `dial-in' account, as well as network extensions for corporate accounts.'' Mr. Harriott agrees, saying that there is a definite need for the new service, which will open up a world of possibilities. "There is no real electronic communication capability between Bermuda and the rest of the world,'' he said.

The Internet, begun in 1960, has grown into the largest network of networks in the worlds, and currently enjoys a growth rate of about 10 percent per month.

This represents about 750,000 commercial users alone. Current estimates indicate about 30 million users, 2.5 million computers, 25,000 networks and about 187 countries.

This two-way communications medium allows users to respond immediately to their marketplace by selecting information services or contacting suppliers of goods and services.

Electronic mail (E-mail) allows users to send and receive electronic mail within Bermuda and around the world. By using the Internet, residents will have access to the world's largest collection of computer networks using high-speed, open-system telecommunications.

Users will be able to send and receive mail, engage in discussion groups, conduct research and development projects, transfer files, log on to remote computers, retrieve free public-domain software and utilise a wide array of commercial information services.

"A lot of Bermudians, especially college students, are knowledgeable (about Internet) and want to communicate (with other users),'' Mr. Harriott noted.

"The Bermuda feed will ride on the Communications International Exchange, and this assures companies in Bermuda that their information will not ride on Internet other than commercially. It will not go off to small towns, or secondary concerns, It will stay on the main communications network.

"The Internet is governed by one entity, and that sets it apart because it is an interactive network.'' Mr. Harriott refers to this communication capability as the "fourth utility''.

"This is right for Bermudians because every one can use it -- from the smallest PC up to the largest institution. This is the newest communications medium that applies to people and business.'' Specifically, users in Bermuda can expect to have a Bermuda information server, directory servers (similar to white and yellow pages), and Business Systems Limited intends to offer a an Internet "Mall'' which will allow you to dial into an information server.

Bermuda users will have four different connection options to choose from.

There will be two dial connections and two leased-line connections.

Dial Connection One will be used essentially for the home user, and dial connection Two for the small business. Both are low-speed connections, and will feature mainly options such as electronic mail. Both connections will be fully functional.

Lease Option One will feature medium speed and full functionality for the medium-size business, while lease option Two will be geared toward the large business with full functionality and high speed capability.

Supporting services will include network management, training, implementation, turnkey equipment provisioning, project management, security services, consultation and other services, including an Internet bookstore.

And users will find that using the Internet system is one of the most economical. One single monthly charge will allow access to the system. There are no "per character,'' "per user,'' or "per time period'' charges. "What I envisage,'' Mr. Harriott says, "is that places like libraries and hotel lobbies will have public centres (to access the Internet).'' And BSL intends to offer the full service: training opportunities, walk-in tutorials, and other services for the general public.

"We also want to have a network operations centre that will have remote facilities for management and tape archiving.'' With international business being of such marked importance to Bermuda, bringing the Internet to Bermuda will be seen as essential to Bermuda's growth in the international marketplace.

Launch of the Bermuda system is planned for early July, but this may or may not change due to equipment delivery times.

Minister of Management and Technology, Sen. Grant Gibbons said: "The application from BSL has been approved because the services they are proposing does not exist in Bermuda at present, and the introduction of Internet is considered advantageous.'' The Minister also said that the E-mail service which already operates in most countries without restrictions, would allow the subscriber to use existing telephone facilities.