network could be on line within 60 days.

For TeleBermuda International (TBI) has hooked up with international satellite consortium INTELSAT to begin carrying long-distance calls between Bermuda and the rest of the world.

TeleBermuda executive vice-president Scott Socol said the link-up came after INTELSAT gave "full and unconditional approval'' to the Island company's multi-million dollar St. David's satellite communications station.

"INTELSAT approval paves the way for TeleBermuda to begin offering Bermudians exactly what we have been promising all along -- quality long-distance services for considerably less than money than they are paying to the existing monopoly.

"Now that INTELSAT has confirmed the high quality of our satellite links to the rest of the world we are moving ahead as quickly as possible to complete the job of connecting the local phone network to our TBI international switching facility.'' Mr. Socol said TBI was pressing ahead with a $45 million fibreoptic cable to provide the most modern phone, fax and video services worldwide. Installation of the 1,300 kilometre cable is expected to be completed in the autumn.

The news came as Shadow Telecommunications Minister Walter Lister slammed his Government counterpart John Barritt's handling of the introduction of a competitive market in telecommunications.

Mr. Lister said the licensing of telecommunications carriers in the absence of new regulations was wrong and was "not in the best long-term interests of telecommunications in Bermuda''.