The Minister of Telecommunications and E-commerce is to review how the telecommunications industry is regulated in the face of converging technologies.

Minister Michael Scott called on his department to launch the regulatory review as part of a wider bid for Information and Communication Technology Regulatory Reform. The ministry is also examining how to facilitate the general public's access to technology through such initiatives as recycling personal computers.

The review of the sector comes at a time when technology for wireless, cable and telephone is giving providers the ability to offer similar services. However, specific licences granted by the ministry currently restrict what each service provider can and cannot offer. For instance, Cablevision's digital technology means the company could act as an Internet Service Provider, but it is unable to do so since there is a moratorium on ISP licences. Cellular One's new wireless data access service "The Bull" has come under legal scrutiny after ISPs claimed that the service infringed on their Class 2 licences.

The Minister ? who aims to hold the forum in 2006 ? hopes all players will approach the consultation with a high level of information and thought as he sees the industry wide conversation as an opportunity to review all of the challenges and reform the telecommunications industry.

"That conversation should be bluntly confronted and work for responsive business models to respond adequately to these convergent developments and ensure that adjustments are made so that ISPs and Class C cellular providers and Class As ? the big connectors overseas Cable and Wireless and TBI ? still operate profitably and provide the innovations in terms of services to Bermuda's customers."

The minister, who describes himself as being "progressive on the whole concept of competition" said that it will be important to also look at the economics of converging technology.

He is also interested in encouraging members of the industry to extend their reach beyond Bermuda to other Caribbean Islands. "Geographic reach is an opportunity within the industries in any event to not just focus and panic about a fixed market of 37,000 workforce," he said.