New local telecommunications provider Quantum Communications plans on expanding its network to the rest of the Island within two to four years.

Company President Jim Sullivan told the Lions' Club luncheon yesterday that Quantum is currently concentrating on improving its data network in Hamilton first before branching out into voice services, and the rest of the Island.

The company expects to offer voice services in Hamilton by mid-June.

"Full telecommunications competition is about to blossom in Bermuda,'' he said.

However, he said companies in the market that previously held a monopoly position should not resist change. For competition to work all players in the market need to cooperate.

He gave as an example the innovation of local number portability -- which allows a customer to keep the same phone number even if they switch from one telephone company to another.

"It can be done,'' he said. "It will take some time and it will take commitment. Several of the key players have already said they are prepared to push ahead with this. But commitment of all of the players is crucial. All the key players in the industry need to support this initiative, and others like this, if competition -- and all its benefits -- are truly to come to Bermuda.'' Mr. Sullivan called number portability a "key enabler'' of competition which would lead to lower costs and better services, and would give customers a "true'' choice of carriers. That's why incumbents, local provider Bermuda Telephone Co. Ltd. (BTC) and international provider Cable & Wireless Plc should not resist change. "It's coming whether you like it or not,'' he said.

"It's coming whether you're ready or not. It's coming because cutomers want it. They not only want better service, faster service, cheaper service. Quite frankly they expect it. They deserve it.'' A BTC spokeswoman said the issue of number portability is not a priority for the company.

"Number portability is a complicated issue that has yet to be resolved in much larger jurisdictions than ours,'' she said. "It's not a priority for BTC in the short term.''