Residents in Bermuda will now be able to access the Internet using their mobile telephones and connect them to their laptops to be wirelessly connected anywhere where you can use a Cellular One telephone.

At the launch of what is called third generation (3G) technology, executives from Cellular One, took their technology out into Hamilton Harbour to demonstrate it could work without any telephone cables.

“Today 3G is here in Bermuda,” said John Narraway, sales, marketing and product development manager. “We can now get high speed Internet access through wireless devices.”

Cellular One is now offering packages costing from $77 a month for unlimited Internet access, plus a voice package for their mobile telephone customers.

“Not everybody is ready for data yet so we decided to do it as a package,” said Mr. Narraway. “We are pretty excited about it.”

Kurt Eve, the company's chief executive officer told the gathered Press core: “We have brought you out here to the Harbour to introduce the next generation wireless.

“One year ago today we said this is where we wanted to be - and we are proud to bring you 3G technology.” Michael Leverock, chief operating officer of the company, said that the launch was the culmination of a project that they began years ago - to make Bermuda digital.

He said: “It not only utilises voice services but also incorporates the ability to get the Internet access from everywhere you can use your Cellular One phone, which is everywhere on the Island.”

The service gives customers access at 153 kbs, which is two to three times faster than dial up, said the company.