available to Island residents after June of this year.

Presently the wireless service is available to the commercial community within the City of Hamilton through Connect -- a partnership between local Internet Provider North Rock Communications and wireless service company WaveRider Communications Inc.

North Rock General Manager Tom Coelho recently told a global audience at Wireless Web 2000, an annual conference on wireless access and services in Washington DC, that: "Wireless service has proven itself as an excellent alternative to traditional copper based access.

"Commercial services are presently available in the City of Hamilton and services aimed at the residential market are expected during the third quarter of 2000.

"North Rock intends to offer a full suite of data products over its new network.'' CONFERENCE DATE BUC Conference date Bermuda will host a one-day conference on innovations in catastrophe management on May 8, it emerged yesterday.

EQECAT, Inc., a provider of comprehensive and technically advanced catastrophe management software and consulting services, will host the event at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess.

Topics will include securitisation, weather risk management, windstorm review and recent major earthquakes worldwide.

ACE Worldwide Chairman and CEO Brian Duperreault and Renaissance Re Ltd.

President and Chief Operating Officer William Riker will be key note speakers at the event.

They will be joined by Massachusetts' Institute of Technology's (MIT) Dr.

Kerry Emanuel and EQECAT International President Peter Yanev and EQECAT Chairman and Chief Operating Officer Dr. James Johnson.

BIBA HOTS EXPO 2000 CON BUC BIBA hosts EXPO 2000 The Bermuda International Business Association (BIBA) will host International Business Week and EXPO 2000 from September 18 to 23.

A press conference formally announcing the event is scheduled for 10.30 a.m.

today at BIBA's offices in Century House.

BIBA's local programmes co-ordinator Nina Jacobs said a wide variety of activities are planned for the week which will climax with an expanded and technologically enhanced EXPO.

The exhibit area for the EXPO will feature a striking site layout, she noted, and the industry is showing significant interest in the event so greater participation than in years past is expected.