The success of TeleBermuda International Ltd. and its reputation as an established and leading telecommunications provider is attributed to their dedication to providing high-quality, cost-effective and reliable voice and data communications services.

In 1996, TeleBermuda International Limited took the island by storm, offering an alternative service to long-distance calling from Bermuda.

They rapidly grew and established their position as price and technological leader of Bermudian telecommunications.

Their expansion to the Cayman Islands involved the formation of TeleCayman Limited, their sister company which provides local and international voice and data services to the Cayman Islands.

TBI services have grown from basic long distance voice to transmitting data, providing Internet, co-location hosting, business continuity and managed IT services.

TBI’s products and services cater to the business and residential markets, carrier class and international visitors.

The TBI business model, which is still strong to this day, is living proof of a company that has invested in technology, differentiated itself in the market through innovation in new products and have placed its customers at the forefront by providing cost effective products and unparalleled customer service.

A History Licensed by the Bermuda Government in 1996 to operate as a provider of Class A international telecommunications services, TBI initiated competition in long-distance pricing and eliminated the monopoly held by Cable & Wireless in Bermuda for long distance telecommunication services.

From the start, TBI committed itself to reducing telecommunication rates with the sole purpose of providing competitively priced voice services in Bermuda.

In 1997, TBI deployed their state-of-the-art fibre optic infrastructure, which enabled the company to provision high quality voice services to the general population.

On January 24th, 1997, TeleBermuda placed its first advertisement for service in the local newspapers.

Innovative product offerings have always been TeleBermuda’s forte.

This was demonstrated early in the company’s history (1998), when it introduced the island’s only pre-paid global calling cards that one could take when travelling overseas to the US, UK or Canada.

Later that same year, TBI moved it’s corporate offices to St. David’s. In the following year, TBI opened its carrier grade co-location hosting facility at the same location, a major step in the advancement of telecommunications as it enabled the company to now become a hub for international business.

Located in a protected, climate-controlled environment with redundant power, TBI’s co-location facility provides leading-edge network management services.

The CCTV monitored site is accessible 24 hours a day and is manned by Bermuda’s best voice and data telecommunications professionals.

Ever expanding, in 1999 TBI’s parent company at that time, 360 Networks, continued its fibre optic network development by beginning construction of Atlantica-1.

This 22,450 km private fibre optic cable system was the first to link North America to Brazil.

Also in 1999, Bermuda’s top long-distance runner, Kavin Smith, became the icon to position TBI as the “leading” long-distance service provider.

The advertising campaign promoted TBI’s sponsorship of Kavin and made him synonymous with TBI, via print and television spots.

TBI introduced the “HomeLink” post paid calling card at this time, for which Kavin could maintain his connection to loved ones at home while training or competing overseas.

When Kavin won his seventh consecutive title in Bermuda’s 24th May marathon, TBI was undeniably proud to support this local hero!

The year 2000 came with reaffirmation of the company’s commitment to price leadership.

The Best Rate residential campaign was introduced. Its “Simply the Best” plan provided the lowest residential long-distance rates to the world with no sign up fees, monthly fees or minimum spending levels.

On the technological side, the company celebrated the official opening of the Bermuda Cable Landing Station, completing the Atlantica-1 project.

The fifth year Milestone With TBI’s fifth year anniversary in 2001 came the introduction of two new hi-tech services.

One was its high-speed digital transmission capability Integrated Services Digital Network or ISDN.

The other was International Frame Relay Access, which enabled customers to purchase a minimum guaranteed bandwidth with the option to instantaneously expand beyond this level.

In keeping with TBI’s goals of reducing customer rates, this innovation lowered monthly telecommunications costs while maintaining high quality data connections for business in Bermuda.

TeleBermuda’s development and growth continued in 2001 with the expansion of its Atlantica-1 network into a bi-directional, self-healing, fibre-optic ring that connects Bermuda, South America and the US.

This secure network has enabled TBI to provide high speed, high quality voice, data and Internet services designed around its customers’ specific requirements.

The technologically advanced network provides all of TBI’s customers with complete network redundancy between Bermuda and its international gateway partner’s worldwide networks, highly conducive to a booming e-commerce industry.

TBI expanded its network further by deploying a second Point of Presence, at the NAP of the Americas, Miami and have established interconnection to the global internet through three dedicated and diverse access ports via its Tier One global internet access providers.

In 2002, TeleBermuda was presented with the opportunity to participate in the annual Ross “Blackie” Talbot Charity Golf Tournament.

The foundation raised funds for numerous charitable institutions in Bermuda. TBI immediately became a major sponsor, continuing its commitment to Bermudians on a cultural level.

TBI’s Corporate Toll Free 800 number service was introduced later that year, to help small businesses compete in the international arena.

In recognition for its exceptional combination of services and pricing, TBI earned the Best of Bermuda Gold award for 2002 and 2003. Again demonstrating its community spirit, in 2003 TeleBermuda donated broadband connections for technology education in the Bermuda public school system which continues to this day.

Another significant event in 2003 was the formation of TBI’s sister company, TeleCayman Limited, which was granted a telecommunications license to operate in the Cayman Islands.

TeleCayman is a full-service provider of Telephone, Internet and Data communications solutions for businesses and residents of the Cayman Islands.

TBI underwent re-branding in 2004 by introducing its new corporate logo. Its focus was upgraded from primarily the local arena to that of international business.

It quickly launched a collection of innovative flat rate regional plans offering new savings to virtually any customer with reason to call select regions throughout the world.

TBI’s new partnership with Equant also now leveraged Bermuda’s role as a financial hub to target large multinational financial firms needing global coverage.

Another technological service was also introduced as TBiNet; Asyncronous Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), catering to the corporate market’s need for high-speed Internet service.

In 2005, TBI entered into an agreement with Quantum Communications Limited as an alternate provider for the local access and delivery of TBI’s international voice and data services.

This provided TBI’s commercial customers with an alternate choice for their local data and voice services delivery.

In the same year TBI expanded its data portfolio to include information availability services including business continuity and disaster recovery.

TBI also launched the INFINITY Unlimited Long-Distance Cellular calling plan, providing the market with communications options designed to fit their lifestyle.

On the corporate responsibility side, TBI earned the Commission for Unity & Racial Equality (CURE) Excellence in Equality of Opportunity award for 2005.

Last year, 2006, saw TeleBermuda International commemorate its 10-year anniversary, and the appointment of TBI’s first Bermudian President and COO, Gregory Swan.

Mr. Swan joined TeleBermuda on November 3, 2003 as Vice President, International Development and was responsible for the development and expansion of TBI’s voice and data services internationally.

He brings extensive experience in the technological field to the company having served as Director of Telecommunications with the Bermuda Civil Service and various engineering posts including Senior Operations Engineer during his eleven-year tenure with BELCO.

Mr. Swan holds a BSc in Mechanical Engineering from North Carolina A&T State University and an MSc in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University.

He is both a Registered Professional Engineer and Chartered Engineer and holds memberships in the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and the Institution of Electrical Engineers.

Some of TBI’s 2006 achievements included the launch of their 2020TBI long-distance calling plan, and a partnership with SAVVIS bringing data connections to Bermuda’s booming financial and insurance / re-insurance industry.

TBI’s commitment to Bermuda over the past ten years continues through its various community sponsorships.

Over the years these have included the Capital G Iron Kids Triathlon, BIBA, KBB Marine Clean-up, PALS - Volunteers providing Cancer Care & Family Support, the Ross “Blackie” Talbot Charity Golf Tournament, The Bermuda Health Foundation, Bermuda College Career Day, World Rugby Classic, and the Bermuda Golf Open.

As TBI looks to its future, Mr. Swan expresses, “—we will continue to uphold the TeleBermuda tradition of technological innovation coupled with reduced customer rates. The TBI family looks forward to a prosperous and mutually beneficial future in and with Bermuda.”

Ten yeas of TBI — a look back