Communications Ltd. this week begins full competition in the lucrative Hamilton market with Bermuda Telephone Co. Ltd. (BTC).

The company announced it is now able to offer local voice calling service to business customer. The rates will be lower than BTC's and will be released some time this week, Quantum president and chief executive officer Jim Sullivan said.

"We are happy to say that we can now provide our customers with voice solutions,'' he said. "Bermudian businesses on the Quantum network can now enjoy the many benefits competition offers, including price savings and a choice of products and services.'' The company, which has only been offered data transmission since February last year, was unable to offer voice service due to the lack of an interconnection with BTC's network.

The interconnection was finally made last week after months of acrimony between Quantum, BTC and the Minister of Telecommuncations. Without the connection, calls could not be passed between the two networks, severely hampering Quantum's ability to go after BTC's customers.

BTC had initally refused to make the connection, claiming Quantum is a reseller because it leases its fibre-optic network from majority owner Belco Holdings Ltd., while its licence requires the company to establish and own its own facilities.

Quantum president Jim Sullivan has said the company has since purchased the source of the dispute -- the fibre-optic cable -- from Belco. BTC wants the terms of Quantum's licence changed and a regulatory framework established so the company can compete under the same rules as Quantum.

After months of delays in making the connection, former Telecommunications Minister E.T. (Bob) Richards ordered BTC to connect Quantum to its network by September 3. However BTC appealed that order and took the case to Supreme Court.

A BTC request for a stay against the ministerial order was rejected by a Supreme Court judge. As yet no date has been set for a full fledged court battle over the interconnection.

With the connection now made, Quantum stated that it is offering access for voice, fax and modems, a business reporting and messaging system, and integrated voice and data transmissions.

Quantum's telephone numbers will begin with a "4'' or a "6''. For example, Quantum's telephone number is 400-4000.

"We look forward to working with the business community and Government as everyone adjusts to competition in the local telecommunications industry,'' Mr. Sullivan said.

The company is now working with BTC to allow customers to switch to Quantum from BTC, he said. Quantum said it currently has customers in all the 35 buildings in Hamilton connected to the network.