North Rock Communications Ltd. yesterday launched corporate long distance service at a price of 18 cents a minute anytime to North America, United Kingdom and Ireland.

General manager Vicki Coelho said that the new direct access long distance service will be easier for business customers to use than the company?s 20-20-321 access service.

?Commercial customers could always access long distance using our 20-20-321 number but that is cumbersome for business obviously. The one-plus long distance is what the corporate customer is looking for,? she said.

North Rock Communications is among four providers licensed to offer the marketplace direct dial long distance. Cable and Wireless, TeleBermuda and Logic also provide the service. Customers may select their long distance provider by asking BTC to direct their local phone number to the long distance carrier they desire.

Mrs. Coelho said: ?They direct the traffic to us so it is seamless for the clients. They just dial the area code. Clients don?t know the difference other than ours is very good value.?

The addition of the commercial long distance service does not quite round out the offerings that North Rock plans for its corporate customers.

It is also planning to rollout local telephone service which is currently in the test phase.

The company has already made local service as well as its direct dial long distance available to residential users.

She said: ?Businesses are looking for a telecommunications provider that is dedicated to providing a low cost, high quality solution. With our local Help Desk, team of skilled technicians, and value added options such as online billing information, North Rock is exactly what the business marketplace have been searching for.?

Mrs. Coelho says that the company has grown from just three people seven years ago to an anticipated total of 40 this December as the company strives to ensure the quality service and support as it expands its service offerings.