resolved, consumers may be wondering what, after all the fuss, has been achieved. A lot really -- but not enough.

On the positive side prices have come down for international calling.

Consumers now pay a peak rate of 93 cents a minute to the US using TeleBermuda International Ltd., and $1 a minute using Cable & Wireless. Compare those prices with $1.15 a few years ago. Competition has benefited businesses and those who make a lot of international calls.

But after six years a new entrant to the local calling market has been halted in its tracks, a new cellular provider still hasn't started operations, monthly access charges have increased by $10, and Government has had to defend itself in court against cantankerous, litigious companies keen on defending their turfs.

The latest round in this rocky road to competition was the decision by the Telecommunications Commission to allow BTC to increase local access rates. The company argued it needed to make up for the loss of payments it had stopped receiving from international companies for use of its local network. In return BTC dropped its legal suits against Government.

Part of that decision in moving to introduce competition six years ago was to sort out a legacy of the previous monopoly market, one in which international rates subsidised local rates. In removing the subsidy international rates were due to come down, while local rates were to go up as the subsidy was removed.

The problem the Commission faced was trying to figure out how much was enough and that was the source of the dispute.

Nobody ever promised that the introduction of competition was going to be easy. Sweeping away the cobwebs was bound to lead to a few entanglements.

Mistakes were made along the way. Companies in the sector have blamed the problems on a lack of clear legislation.

Government needs to ensure that such problems must not delay progress in the telecommunications sector any further. Delays that beset Quantum Communications shouldn't be allowed to happen to Bermuda Digital, which plans on starting a cellular phone service next month. The Commission must also keep an eye on BTC to ensure local service improves rather than deteriorates.

Other looming problems on the horizon will come from the provision of voice service using Internet technology.

Telecommunications Minister Renee Webb has promised to introduce legislative amendments to sort out the problems. This has to be a main priority. Now's the time to ride free of the disputes and get going with business.

In the age where connectivity and electronic commerce are transforming economies, Bermuda has to insure its telecommunications sector is on par with other overseas jurisdictions so as to remain competitive.

No doubt many consumers will find such a goal rather lofty. When opening their next telephone bill, they perhaps can take some consolation that they're paying much cheaper prices than islands in the Caribbean.